Students' academic expectations and experiences during the first year of their undergraduate nursing programme

Grant, J

Abstract

The thesis examines why first year nursing students leave their programme of study
and the factors that influence whether they stay or leave. A descriptive, exploratory
study design was undertaken using two survey instruments, the College Students
Expectations Questionnaire and the College Student Experiences Questionnaire.
Data about the expectations and experiences of one cohort of nursing students
were collected at the beginning and compared with experiences the end of their first
year of study. Additional data obtained from institutional records.
There was a preponderance of first generation university students who entered the
university through completion of an Access to Health Studies course. This group
entertained similar high expectations of academic achievement to the school
leavers. These expectations were not that was not matched by their experiences in
the main. The most successful students being those in the 30 to 39 age group.
Overall, students' degree classifications did not match their expected performance.
The findings show that most students who left the programme intended to return but
did not do so.
Identifying predictors of success for nursing students remains a key issue for the
nursing profession. The findings indicate that although student attrition is multifactorial,
focussing on the predictors of success can overshadow the need to
identify and support students who possess the potential for success if additional
support is provided. The findings also underline the importance of helping students
connect with their learning environment during the first year and to develop self
efficacy skills early.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jul 29, 2021
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2012