Learning Objective #1: Describe an innovative, interactive, Web-based strategy for assessing and providing remediation of study skills and test-taking skills for at-risk nursing students

Learning Objective #2: Discuss the usefulness of individualized Web-based remediation in enhancing nursing student success and decreasing attrition rates from nursing programs

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Increased attrition from nursing programs is one of many factors affecting a nursing shortage crisis in the United States. Research shows that a lack of adequate study skills and test-taking skills are major factors in rising attrition rates for nursing students, with not enough resources available to provide remediation to all who need it. While programs exist that provide content-focused remediation, none were found that provide assessment and remediation of study skills and test taking skills in one package. Lack of these skills supported the need for an inexpensive, effective remediation program related to study skills and test-taking strategies for nursing students. The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate a Web-based interactive remediation program that could be effective in increasing program success of nursing students. A three-phase design experiment addressed the research objectives of (a) developing an interactive remediation program in a Web-based format for use in assisting at-risk nursing students in improving study and test-taking skills, (b) establishing content validity of the program through alpha testing by faculty content experts and (c) determining student perceptions of helpfulness and ease of use of the tool through a beta test process. The interactive program provides assessment and remediation of study skills and test-taking skills specifically aimed at the needs of nursing students in a Web-based format. Analyses of quantitative and qualitative data evaluating the program provided positive results. Faculty content experts found that the program provides valid assessment and remediation content in a user-friendly manner. Student pilot testers in 2 separate nursing programs (N=36) found that the program could be a useful tool to help most nursing students strengthen study skills and test-taking skills. The results of this design experiment indicate that Web-based assessment and remediation may be a cost effective alternative method for enhancing nursing student success.