| Second degree learners are attending associate (ADN), accelerated baccalaureate (BSN), and entry level masters (ELM) degree nursing programs. There is limited data related to the socio-demographic characteristics and graduation success rates of students attending accelerated BSN or ELM programs and no data related to second-degree learners attending associate degree programs in the literature. This study explored the socio-demographic characteristics, type of primary degree, the type of degree granting institution, time between obtaining the primary degree and entering the ADN program and progression success rates of second-degree learners attending nine NLNAC accredited associate degree nursing programs in southern California. Two research questionnaires were developed, piloted, then utilized to collect information to describe the participating ADN programs and this cohort of learners. The study further explored the relationship between these characteristics and progression success through the ADN curriculum. An electronic mail survey was sent to the currently enrolled students by their respective program directors. One hundred fifty one of the 342 respondents had a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field therefore qualified for and participated in the study. The success rate in progressing through the curriculum without any failures was ninety-three percent. Two of the variables, ethnicity and the time between achieving the first degree and entering into the nursing program, were found to significantly impact progression success rates at a plevel of 0.05. As the diversity in the United States increases, nurse educators must reach out to students of various ethnicities to assist them with assimilation and improve retention/success. This study has implications for counselors, nursing program administrators, and nurse educators as career changers seek to enter nursing at the associate degree programs. The faculty and administrators of RN-BSN and RN-masters programs need to be aware of the prevalence of and prepare for the second-degree learners graduating from ADN programs as they seek to continue advancing to higher degrees in nursing. |
