Relationship among English Competency, Anxiety, Burden, and Social Support in Korean Nurses Preparing for the NCLEX-RN |
Mia Seo1, Hee-Sun Kang2, Han-Ju Lee3 |
1Seoul Cyber University, School of Human Welfare 2Department of Nursing, Chung-Ang University 3Planning and Policy Dep., Korean Nurses Association |
Correspondence:
Mia Seo, Tel: 011-322-0468, Fax: +82-2-944-5014, Email: sma5014@iscu.ac.kr |
Received: 3 August 2004 • Accepted: 26 August 2004 |
Abstract |
Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of anxiety, burden, social support including English ability in Korean nurses preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Methods The survey was carried out on a convenient sample of 146 nurses preparing for the NCLEX-RN at private academy. Structured questionnaire which consisted of each scale for English ability, anxiety, burden, and social support was used.
Results Subjects had the most difficulties in spoken English. The subjects 1 anxiety level was mild and the score of trait anxiety(46.86±7.14) was slightly higher than state anxiety(45.61+7.71). Subjects had heavy burden on English skills and passing the test. Social support was high(l 10.25 + 13.21). There were positive correlations between anxiety and burden(r=.419) but negative correlations between anxiety and social support(r=-,518), burden and social support(r=-.280).
Conclusion This study results suggest spoken English needs to be intensified at nursing school Social support was considered as a factor which decreasing anxiety and burden. Thus, further study needs to be conducted to develop strategies to increase social support and methods such as part-time working system and education through cyber to reduce the nurses’ burden and anxiety. |
Key Words:
NCLEX-RN; Language; Anxiety; Burden; Social support |
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