Predictors of student outcome in a Baccalaureate nursing program

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Date
2017
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Publisher
University of Alabama Libraries
Abstract

Student success in a nursing program is a complex process that involves the interaction of student attributes, academic, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Using the Jeffreys’s (2015) Nursing Undergraduate Retention and Success (NURS) Model, the purpose of this research was to determine the individual student profile characteristics, academic characteristics, and personal attributes and attitudes that predict outcome in a baccalaureate nursing program. Three hundred sixty-three records of students admitted to a baccalaureate nursing program at a small, public university in southwest Georgia from May 2009-August 2014 were reviewed. Binomial logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine if three categories of independent variables: (a) student profile factors, (b) self-reported attitudes and attributes, and (c) academic factors could predict student outcome in the nursing program. Research results from this study found that student profile factors, specifically age, sex, program designation, and socioeconomic status were not predictive of outcome. Further, results found that academic factors, grade point average, and TEAS test scores were highly predictive of student outcome. Lastly, the research found that higher scores in self-reported critical thinking ability and learning style preference were predictive of a favorable student outcome. Of importance to nursing education is how these results can be utilized for review and revision of admission, and progression policies. The use of GPA and standardized test scores is a common practice for admission committees and will likely continue to be a significant factor in admissions decisions. Further research is needed as to how other factors that affect student outcomes, attrition or completion could be used to guide admission decisions.

Description
Electronic Thesis or Dissertation
Keywords
Nursing, Higher education, Higher education administration
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