Title : Incorporating core areas of health to reduce test anxiety
Abstract:
Background: Test anxiety is the cognitive or physical responses exhibited before, during, or after a test. Some test anxiety is normal; this even motivates students to study. However, too much can prevent studying and concentration before and during an exam. Nursing students are more prone to test anxiety due to the additional demands they face. In addition, test questions are more challenging since critical thinking is required during testing instead of just memorization. Test anxiety can have negative consequences on test scores, resulting in repeating nursing courses or even dismissal from a nursing program. This can lead to less nurses entering the work force, which can increase the nursing shortage.
Purpose: By educating nursing students during college orientation about test anxiety, they will be equipped with strategies to be successful in the nursing program.
Methods: During nursing program orientation, at the start of the first semester, educate nursing students about test anxiety and interventions to decrease. Using active teaching strategies, teach nursing students about the core areas of health such as resilience, sleep, environment, nutrition, and movement. Have students share and practice interventions during the presentation.
Findings/Implications: Promoting core areas of health prior to the start of the nursing curriculum has the potential to impact being successful in class, completing the nursing program, and passing the NCLEX-RN. In addition, the strategies learned will encourage students to practice healthy behaviors that are evidenced-based, rather than unhealthy behaviors such as self-medication or alcohol consumption. These strategies could in turn be shared by nursing students with patients/clients to promote optimal healthy outcomes.
