The role of academic variables as predictors of success or failure in a diploma nursing program

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify those academic variables which were the best predictors of success or failure in a diploma nursing program located on the rural Eastern Shore of Maryland. Data were collected retrospectively from the records of 87 graduates who were classified as members of the Classes of 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994. Selected variables were categorized into preadmission criteria (SAT scores and scores of The Psychological Corporation RN Entrance Examination for Schools of Nursing), grades in 8 college prerequisite courses, college GPA, final grades from 6 nursing courses, and total scores from National League of Nursing Achievement tests in Psychiatric Nursing and Maternity-Child Nursing. The cumulative GPA in nursing and NLN Comprehensive test scores, were used to define success in the nursing program. Pearson's Correlation and stepwise multiple regression analyses were used to determine the amount of variation explained by the independent variables and the two success variables. Analysis of preadmission scores indicated the usefulness of the RNEE test in this program for identifying applicants who may experience success or failure in the nursing program. significant positive correlations between Anatomy and Physiology I and II, General Psychology, Basic Concepts of Nursing II, Family Centered Nursing, Adult Health Nursing I and the Maternal Child Health Achievement test and the success variables were found. The Family Centered Nursing course was the best predictor of Nursing Cumulative GPA and the NLN Maternal Child Health Achievement test of the NLN Comprehensive Exam. The results of this study indicate that at admission and throughout the program, some readily obtainable data are significant predictors of the student's performance. For a school to minimize attrition, it is necessary to identify high risk students early in a program, in order to initiate interventions to promote success in the nursing program.