| Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs have an important role in resolving the California nursing shortage. However, their high attrition rates must be addressed, by determining factors that contribute to student success, for any hope of accomplishing this goal.;The purpose of this study was to compare two admission criteria processes to investigate the difference in their predictability of student success in an ADN program. The research questions that guided the study were: 1) How do two admission criteria processes compare in predicting on time graduation? 2) How do two admission criteria processes compare in predicting first attempt National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) pass rate? 3) What is the effect of ethnicity on student outcomes? 4) What is the difference in impact of the two admission criteria processes on student diversity?;A correlational study was conducted to examine the strength of associations between multiple predictor variables to the outcomes of student success. The key statistical analysis of the study was logistic regression. A convenience sample of seven cohorts of students admitted (n = 320) and students not admitted (n = 262) to a Southern California ADN program from Fall 2010 to Fall 2013 was the population in this study.;The results revealed that the Multi-Criteria Selection process for admission was the stronger model to predict student success. The findings also showed, although URM students graduated on time, significant numbers did not pass the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt.;It is imperative that ADN programs implement selective admissions after consideration of the impact they have on student diversity. Otherwise, the gap between the diversity of the registered nurses and their respective populations will widen, exacerbating the health care disparities and the well-being of society. |
