A pilot project to evaluate the academic performance, abilities, and satisfaction of second-degree students

The literature on students matriculated in the growing number of second-degree nursing programs in the United States typically describes them as exceptional on many parameters of interest. The experience at the authors' university in an integrated second-degree baccalaureate nursing program did not support prevailing notions regarding these students. The purpose of this pilot project was to evaluate the performance and satisfaction of second-degree students in comparison to traditional students. The Learning and Study Strategies Inventory, a standardized exit examination, the nursing grade point average (GPA), and focus groups were used in the evaluation. Findings showed little difference between second-degree students and traditional students on the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory and no difference in exit examination scores and nursing GPA. Social and learning differences were apparent as a result of the focus group experience.