Identifying SRNAs individual learning preferences utilizing the VARK Learning Inventory Tool

Abstract

Abstract All graduates of a doctoral anesthesiology program are required to successfully pass the National Certifying Exam (NCE). Since 2011, the national average passage rate has decreased from 89.1% to 84.1% in 2021 (NBCRNA, 2023). Yamaguchi’s 2022 study revealed that students are positively impacted academically when they implement individual learning preferences. The purpose of this project was to identify individual learning preferences for students enrolled in the U.S. Army Nurse Anesthesiology program. The hypothesis was that students who recognize their preferred learning and incorporate preferred learning techniques would result in an increased percentage of passage rate scores for the NCE. Thirty-eight Military personnel enrolled in the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing were administered the VARK (Visual, Auditory, Reading, Kinesthetics) learning inventory tool in the beginning of their first year in the program. The VARK learning inventory tool is a sixteen questionnaire that identifies an individual’s learning preference based on the answers that he/she selects. After identifying the individual learning preference, everyone was given a 10-page performance template that outlined the various techniques that incorporated the individual learning preference to the daily learning and retaining of educational materials. The passage rate of the group involved in the project will be compared with the national average after taking the NCE. Keywords: metacognition, VARK learning theory, doctoral education, nurse anesthesiology, self-regulated learnin