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

The thesis examines why first year nursing students leave their programme of studyand the factors that influence whether they stay or leave. A descriptive, exploratorystudy design was undertaken using two survey instruments, the College StudentsExpectations Questionnaire and the College Student Experiences Questionnaire.Data about the expectations and experiences of one cohort of nursing studentswere collected at the beginning and compared with experiences the end of their firstyear of study. Additional data obtained from institutional records.There was a preponderance of first generation university students who entered theuniversity through completion of an Access to Health Studies course. This groupentertained similar high expectations of academic achievement to the schoolleavers. These expectations were not that was not matched by their experiences inthe 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 butdid not do so.Identifying predictors of success for nursing students remains a key issue for thenursing profession. The findings indicate that although student attrition is multifactorial,focussing on the predictors of success can overshadow the need toidentify and support students who possess the potential for success if additionalsupport is provided. The findings also underline the importance of helping studentsconnect with their learning environment during the first year and to develop selfefficacy skills early.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral (Level 8)

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Grant, J

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1338149

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1338149