Development of examination objectives based on nursing competency for the Korean Nursing Licensing Examination: a validity study

Purpose: This study aimed to develop the examination objectives based on nursing competency of the Korean Nursing Licensing Examination. Methods: This is a validity study to develop the examination objectives based on nursing competency. Data were collected in December 2021. We reviewed the literature related to changing nurse roles and on the learning objectives for the Korea Medical Licensing Examination and other health personnel licensing examinations. Thereafter, we created a draft of the nursing problems list for examination objectives based on the literature review, and the content validity was evaluated by experts. A final draft of the examination objectives is presented and discussed. Results: A total of 4 domains, 12 classes, and 85 nursing problems for the Korean Nursing Licensing Examination were developed. They included the essentials of objectives, related factors, evaluation goals, related activity statements, related clients, related settings, and specific outcomes. Conclusion: This study developed a draft of the examination objectives based on clinical competency that were related to the clinical situations of nurses and comprised appropriate test items for the licensing examination. Above results may be able to provide fundamental data for item development that reflects future nursing practices.