1. Self‐efficacy, uncertainty and anxiety among nursing graduates in response to licensing test postponement due to the COVID‐19 pandemic: A mixed‐methods study.
- Author
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Zilber, Rama, Hazan Hazoref, Rivka, and Kagan, Ilya
- Subjects
NURSING licensure ,STATISTICS ,RESEARCH methodology ,MULTIPLE regression analysis ,AGE distribution ,UNCERTAINTY ,SELF-efficacy ,GRADUATES ,QUALITATIVE research ,CRONBACH'S alpha ,SURVEYS ,T-test (Statistics) ,PEARSON correlation (Statistics) ,SEX distribution ,FAMILY attitudes ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,ANXIETY ,DATA analysis software ,THEMATIC analysis ,COVID-19 pandemic ,EDUCATIONAL attainment - Abstract
Aim: To examine the relationships between self‐efficacy, uncertainty and anxiety among nursing graduates waiting for a mandatory nursing licensing test that was postponed due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 352 graduates of nursing education programs participated in this mixed‐methods study. The data were collected using an online questionnaire in June 2020. Results: The participants demonstrated high uncertainty and anxiety and low self‐efficacy towards the ability to succeed in the licensing exam. Graduates, who started working, reported lower uncertainty. Self‐efficacy, uncertainty, gender and family status contributed significantly to the explanation of 24% of the variance of the anxiety. The qualitative analysis revealed three themes: (a) emotional distress, cognitive challenge and social implications, (b) consequences for significant others and (c) strengthening of professional values and norms. Conclusions: A significant crisis like a pandemic is accompanied by acute cognitive burden and stressful emotional experiences and creates an unconventional situation that requires unusual solutions. Granting a temporary permit for employment as a nurse following the postponement of a licensing test contributed to the ability of nursing graduates to cope with the situation. Policies to deal with similar situations in the future emergencies should be developed and implemented. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? The COVID‐19 pandemic changed all the rules when the licensing examination was postponed at relatively short notice.The graduates found themselves without a work permit and also outside the education system.Many graduates reported economic challenges and feelings of uncertainty and fear of the future. What this paper adds? The participants demonstrated high levels of uncertainty and anxiety, with low self‐efficacy.Self‐efficacy, uncertainty, gender and family status contributed significantly to the explanation of the anxietyQualitative analysis supported these findings through examples that paint the whole picture in vivid colours. The implications of this paper: The study emphasizes the importance of providing emotional support and information to the students in times of crisis, while communicating policy decisions.Granting a temporary permit for employment as a registered nurse following the postponement of the licensing test contributed to the ability of nursing graduates to contend with the situation.There is a need to formulate policies to deal with similar situations in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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