“Test for Success”: Multifaceted Program to Promote Internationally Educated Nurse Success on the Canadian Registered Nurse Exam

Purpose:   The purpose of this element of the symposium is to present the results of the Test for Success program that targets Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) and faculty who teach in a BScN program to improve success on the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination(CRNE). Throughout the BScN program, in the classroom and online, students are provided with test taking, cognitive, and anxiety reducing and confidence building strategies. Faculty who teach IENs develop expertise in multiple-choice item construction and analysis through workshops and online programs. The project’s  main objective is to increase IEN success rates on the CRNE therefore providing them a bridge to becoming a Registered Nurse in Ontario and the Canadian workforce.

Methods:   A mixed methods approach was used. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Item analyses were done to determine quality of the multiple-choice questions together with the reliability and validity of each test. Pre and post tests were done to determine the effect of test taking and anxiety reducing strategies. Focus group and questionnaires from the students and faculty were utilized to add richness to the data. Faculty were interviewed to determine the knowledge learnt in the item writing workshops.

Results: Research findings wll include the measurement results of the tests, the effect of the test taking, anxiety and item writing workshops.

Conclusion:  Findings from the research can guide other testing projects and success strategies that are based on research with a focus on the learning needs of the IENs.