TY - JOUR
T1 - Should nursing-related work experience be a prerequisite for acceptance into a nursing programme? A study of students' reasons for withdrawing from undergraduate nursing at an Australian university
AU - Wilson, Anne
AU - Chur-Hansen, Anna
AU - Marshall, Amy
AU - Air, Tracy
PY - 2011/7
Y1 - 2011/7
N2 - Aim: This paper reports on two studies that examined why students withdrew from a Bachelor of Nursing degree. Background: With the aim of recruiting undergraduate candidates who are the most likely to complete the degree and pursue a nursing career, the University of Adelaide requires high matriculation scores and satisfactory performance in a structured oral assessment as part of the process of selection. Method: In the first study, two questionnaires were used to collect data from all applicants before and after an oral assessment. The degree of personal desire and motivation to become a Registered Nurse, including knowledge about nursing and the profession were among qualities rated. For the second study, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with students who had withdrawn. Results: Statistical comparison showed there were significant differences between continuing and withdrawing applicants in whether or not they had previous nursing-related experience and in knowing someone who was a nurse. The qualitative data reinforced the importance of these factors for attrition. Participants identified emotional issues surrounding an aversion to illness, sickness, pain, suffering and blood. Conclusion: The results of both studies suggest that a primary factor in attrition is a lack of realistic expectation regarding nursing as a profession.
AB - Aim: This paper reports on two studies that examined why students withdrew from a Bachelor of Nursing degree. Background: With the aim of recruiting undergraduate candidates who are the most likely to complete the degree and pursue a nursing career, the University of Adelaide requires high matriculation scores and satisfactory performance in a structured oral assessment as part of the process of selection. Method: In the first study, two questionnaires were used to collect data from all applicants before and after an oral assessment. The degree of personal desire and motivation to become a Registered Nurse, including knowledge about nursing and the profession were among qualities rated. For the second study, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with students who had withdrawn. Results: Statistical comparison showed there were significant differences between continuing and withdrawing applicants in whether or not they had previous nursing-related experience and in knowing someone who was a nurse. The qualitative data reinforced the importance of these factors for attrition. Participants identified emotional issues surrounding an aversion to illness, sickness, pain, suffering and blood. Conclusion: The results of both studies suggest that a primary factor in attrition is a lack of realistic expectation regarding nursing as a profession.
KW - Attrition
KW - Nurse education
KW - Undergraduate
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79957638120&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.nedt.2010.09.005
DO - 10.1016/j.nedt.2010.09.005
M3 - Article
SN - 0260-6917
VL - 31
SP - 456
EP - 460
JO - Nurse Education Today
JF - Nurse Education Today
IS - 5
ER -