Predictors of Success on Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board Examinations A Regression Study of Academic Factors

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigat e the predictive validity of selected programmatic factors of a Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Education Program (WOCNEP) on graduates' success when completing their certification examinations. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: First-time certification examination candidates over a 10-year period graduating from 1 WOCNEP located in the northeastern section of the United States comprised the sample. METHODS: Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the predictive value of academic factors (entry-level grade point average [GPA], test scores from the 2 WOCNEP courses, scores in a comprehensive final examination, and scores on the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board [WOCNCB] self-assessment examinations). Program format (on-site vs online study) was not analyzed due to the small online sample size. RESULTS: The predictive power of academic factors for WOCNCB certification success is similar to findings in published literature. Entry-level GPA, 4 course examination test scores, comprehensive final examination score, and 3 self-assessment examination (SAE) tests accounted for 56% of the variance in successful passing of the WOCNCB examinations (chi(2) = 25.98, P < .01, R-2 = 0.56). Entry-level GPA (R-2 = 0.18, P < .01) and performance in course work (4 test scores) (R-2 = 0.31, P < .01) were the strongest predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that entry-level GPA and achievement in academic course work are most predictive of successful completion of WOCNCB certification examination.