Student support in accelerated nursing programs: Gender-based perspectives and impact on academic outcomes

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education
• Student Support Services

Background:

• Understanding factors influencing student success in accelerated nursing programs is limited.
• Potential gender-based variations in success factors require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the relationship between satisfaction with peer and mentor support, gender, and academic outcomes.
• To identify key support mechanisms impacting student success in accelerated nursing programs.

Main Methods:

• Data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's New Career in Nursing Program were analyzed.
• Multivariable mixed effects regression models assessed associations between gender, support satisfaction, and academic results (graduation, licensure exam performance).

Main Results:

• Males reported higher satisfaction with peer support compared to females.
• Dissatisfaction with peer support significantly decreased graduation likelihood for both genders.
• Gender did not influence the association between satisfaction with peer/mentor support and academic outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Peer support significantly impacts graduation rates for students in accelerated nursing programs.
• Enhancing student peer support through quality improvement initiatives may be beneficial.
• Targeted interventions to bolster peer support are recommended for accelerated nursing programs.