Abstract
Background: The Baccalaureate Nursing program in the Nursing College at XXX experienced a decrease in Saudi Nursing Licensing Exam (SNLE) scores on the first attempt for students graduating between June 2017 and January 2018 without a clear explanation for the decline. Thus, the college developed an SNLE enhancement program to prepare intern students to pass the SNLE. Methods: This study aimed to examine how effective the SNLE enrichment program is in preparing students to pass the Licensure Examination, to explore the unique predictors of the exam scores among interns in nursing who attended the SNLE Enrichment Program, and to inform the nursing colleges about the optimal ways to conduct the SNLE enrichment program to improve the licensure exam passing rate. Participants were drawn from a convenient sample of intern students who attended the critical care nursing module in the SNLE enrichment program in March 2018. The study used 50 multiple choice questions (MCQs) that were written in similar fashion to the SNLE format to measure students' knowledge in critical care concepts. Results: This study showed that the SNLE enrichment program increased exam scores; this was determined by comparing pretest exam scores to the posttest exam scores. There was a statistically significant difference in the exam scores, over three points. However, there was a drop in the students' scores comparing the pretest mean score to one-week post-intervention. Student GPA and age were not predictors of student achievement in the three exams points. Conclusion: Another study that examines how to help students retain knowledge for a longer period is recommended.