The Effects of a Unit-Based Specialty Certification Preparation Class on Readiness and Knowledge to Take the Exam
Abstract
This paper examines the effects of a unit-based GI specialty certification preparatory course on the participants’ knowledge and readiness to take the GI specialty certification examination. The participants were administered a pre-test, attended a preparatory class session, and then administered a post-test. The results were best illustrated through the use of the percentage score comparing the pre-test and post-test rather than individually by questions missed. The data gained from the first four exam questions was designed to illustrate personal readiness feelings.
The conclusions illustrate that there are significant increases in both knowledge and readiness when the unit-based preparatory class is given. The recommendation is to follow this pilot study with larger-scale studies to validate the use of this method on other specialty areas as a way to promote confidence and knowledge for staff to take specialty certification exams as these certifications have been linked to patient safety and satisfaction, job satisfaction, and retention.