Faculty and student perceptions about attendance policies in baccalaureate nursing programs

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education Pedagogy

Background:

• Classroom attendance is a contentious issue in academia.
• Understanding student and faculty perspectives on attendance is crucial for effective program management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate faculty and student perceptions of attendance policies in baccalaureate nursing programs.
• To identify reasons behind student absences and faculty concerns regarding attendance.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed.
• Data were collected from a stratified random sample of 65 accredited baccalaureate nursing programs.
• Responses were gathered from 591 students and 91 faculty members across 19 institutions.

Main Results:

• A majority of faculty viewed missed classes as unprofessional behavior (62%) and linked absences to lower clinical success (69%).
• Most students (57%) and faculty (66%) supported the implementation of attendance policies.
• Students cited workload breaks (16.8%) and perceived lack of class value (11.8%) as reasons for absence.

Conclusions:

• Significant variation exists in student and faculty beliefs concerning attendance policies.
• Addressing these diverse viewpoints and adopting innovative teaching strategies can enhance learning.
• Creating an environment of mutual respect and teamwork is essential for academic success.