| Nursing student retention and program completion is of increasing concern as the United States anticipates a future shortfall in the number of registered nurses (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012). Nursing education programs are charged with preparing nurses needed to meet demand. Improving student retention increases program completion and impacts on the number of nurses available to enter the workforce. The purpose of this study was to identify multidimensional variables affecting associate degree nursing (ADN) student program completion. The following research questions guided the study: What student characteristics, support for learners, and student effort variables do ADN students perceive as impacting nursing program completion? What factors represent the interrelationships among student outcome variables in students who complete an ADN program?;Quantitative methodology including survey and record review was employed to explore variables affecting ADN program completion at Moraine Park Technical College, a Midwestern community college. Responses from students within one month of program completion (N=45) were collected through an electronic survey. Ex post facto records of ADN program graduates (N=88) were also reviewed. A record was considered if it included grades from General and Advanced Anatomy and Physiology, all nursing course grades, National League for Nursing (NLN) standardized examination scores, specifically, the Preadmission Exam composite and verbal, science, and math scores; Nutrition, Childbearing Family, Care of the Adult, Psychiatric, and Diagnostic Readiness exams; and national licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) performance. Findings of the survey suggested that variables perceived to have positive impact on program completion were family, friend, peer, and nursing faculty support as well as personal study skills, commitment to studying, completion of course assignments, nursing simulation activities, and use of the nursing lab for practice. Finances and job hours worked had negative impact. The ex post facto record review identified interrelationships among advanced medical-surgical theory courses, year one nursing clinical courses, final quarter nursing courses, anatomy and physiology courses, and pre-program and end of program standardized examinations. The research has implications for ADN programs. Programs need to implement student support and success strategies and examine academic and nonacademic variables to determine their impact on student retention and program completion. |
