Determining student satisfaction in a nursing college.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education Studies
• Student Experience Research

Background:

• Assessing student satisfaction is crucial for improving educational quality in nursing programs.
• Understanding student expectations helps institutions identify areas for development.
• Previous research indicates a correlation between student satisfaction and program outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate nursing student satisfaction and expectations at a Turkish college.
• To identify trends in student satisfaction over a four-year period.
• To pinpoint specific areas where student expectations were not met.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, prospective study design was employed.
• A researcher-developed student satisfaction scale was utilized.
• A total of 694 nursing students from 1999-2001 participated without specific sampling methods.

Main Results:

• Student satisfaction scores varied significantly across academic years, with a notable increase in 2001.
• The highest satisfaction score (128) was recorded in the third year, while the lowest (95) was in the fourth year.
• A majority of students expressed a belief that improvements were needed in education, recreation, and college services, indicating unmet expectations.

Conclusions:

• Nursing student satisfaction is dynamic and influenced by various factors throughout their academic journey.
• Institutions must address student feedback regarding educational systems and support services to enhance satisfaction.
• A significant portion of students may enter nursing programs due to external pressures rather than intrinsic motivation, highlighting a need for better guidance and support.