Last quarter I wrote about the experience that several ASPSN and PSNCB members had reviewing the CPSN examination. I would like to carry this a step further and share with you the statistical results from the examinations held in 2007. This information is provided to PSNCB each year from C-Net (Center for Nursing Education and Testing), the organization that develops, processes, and analyzes the examinations. Here is a summary of the report received from Margaret Garbin, President of C-Net.
In 2007, the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Examination was administered to 38 candidates on three different occasions May 5, October 13, and October 26. Of the 38 tests administered, 30 were first-time examinations, 5 were repeat examinations, and 3 were for recertification. The October 26 date was at the National Convention in Baltimore, where 23 nurses took the examination. Eight sat for the examination on May 5 and seven sat for the examination on October 13.
The pass rate for May 5 was 50%, October 13 pass rate was 43%, and the October 26 pass rate was 91% for an overall pass rate for examinations held in 2007 of 74%. The high pass rate at the Convention testing may be contributed to the review course, which is offered the day before the examination.
The candidates taking the examination were from 22 states: five candidates from Pennsylvania, three each from Florida and New York, and two each from Georgia, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. One from each of the following states sat for the examination: Arizona, California, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington.
The educational level of the candidates is as follows: 15 (41%) have an associate degree in nursing, 10 (27%) a baccalaureate degree in nursing, 5 (14%) a baccalaureate degree in another field, 3 (8%) a diploma in nursing, 3 (8%) a master's degree in nursing and 1 (2%) a master's degree in another field as their highest educational credential. Those with master's degrees in nursing and baccalaureate degrees in another field had a 100% pass rate, whereas those who had baccalaureate degrees in nursing had a pass rate of 80%, those with associate degrees or diplomas in nursing had a 67% pass rate. However, according to C-Net, the number of persons in all categories was too small to draw any meaningful conclusions.
These findings are similar to those of past years; therefore, the conclusion being that nurses from all types of basic nursing programs can demonstrate the knowledge tested on this examination. This may be because the test is clinically oriented, and hands-on practitioners can relate to the clinical situations presented in the text.
Current practice settings show that the largest number of nurses 12 (32%) reported working in physician's offices; they had a 92% pass rate. Nine candidates who reported working in an ambulatory surgery center had a 78% pass rate, and four candidates working in hospitals had a 75% pass rate. Six candidates reported numerous settings; half passed and half failed. The number of nurses in each category is too small to draw conclusions about the findings.
Postexamination evaluations are always very helpful, not only for those of use involved in reviewing the examination every 5 years but also for the potential candidates. Here are reports and comments from the 2007 examination candidates: 27 (71%) reported an appropriate level of difficulty, whereas 11 (29%) responded to "too difficult," zero responded to "too easy." Seventeen (45%) felt that it was a good assessment of their nursing practice, 16 (42%) a satisfactory assessment, 3 (8%) a minimal assessment, and 2 (1%) rated it as an outstanding assessment. Some of the comments received were as follows: "I do not function as an OR nurse. I am an office nurse only, and we do primarily cosmetic surgery" or "I practice in reconstructive (breast and skin grafts) and cosmetic surgery primarily. Therefore, I found the test difficult in the areas of craniofacial and pediatric care."
The last question asked in the evaluation was in regards to benefits the candidate expected to receive from certification, and they could select more than one benefit; following are the results: 24 (86%) reported self-satisfaction, 16 (57%) reported increased recognition of clinical expertise, 6 (21%) increased compensation, and 2 (11%) increased likelihood of promotion.
With this report, I once again invite and urge those of you who have not taken the step to take the certification examination to do so. However, this is not testing your individual working environment; this is an examination that tests your knowledge of plastic surgical nursing, which includes everything from pediatrics to adults, reconstructive and cosmetic. An operating room, an office, and a surgical unit are all areas that are covered. Remember that when you took your state board examination, it tested all areas of nursing; likewise, this examination tests all areas of plastic surgical nursing. Recognize your strengths and study your weaknesses. Purchase a Core Curriculum and begin the process.
Sue Kunz, BS, RN, CPSN
President, PSNCB