2 minute read
Test anxiety is real.
New School of Nursing admissions process recognizes that.
Geisinger School of Nursing has changed its admissions guidelines to make sure every qualified candidate has a chance to advance their career and serve the public.
The school no longer rejects potential students based on standardized test scores — recognizing that test anxiety is real, and results don’t necessarily reflect a person’s potential.
The change was based in part on student Hannah Leach, a Geisinger Lewistown Hospital patient care assistant who excelled at her job and wanted to be a nurse — but whose test anxiety repeatedly prevented her from scoring high enough on the timed exam.
“I really wanted get into the RN program, but I just could not pass that test,” Ms. Leach said. “The fact that it was timed gave me anxiety. I took it two or three times and I’d get 57%, 54%— but I needed 60%.”
Ms. Leach’s Geisinger supervisor knew she would be an excellent nurse and repeatedly advocated for her with the nursing school’s director, who agreed.
Today, Ms. Leach is a nursing student, on her way to providing outstanding patient care. And the exam results are part of the admissions review process, but not a barrier if the candidate shows potential, like Ms. Leach.
Leach and Jerzerick
