Expectations of nursing degree students: A longitudinal analysis

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education Studies
• Student Expectations Research

Background:

• Student expectations significantly impact academic performance and future career paths.
• Understanding these expectations is crucial for effective educational program design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To longitudinally analyze the initial expectations of nursing students.
• To assess the fulfillment of these expectations throughout their four-year degree program.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study involving 339 nursing students in Catalonia, Spain.
• Development and validation of two 10-item questionnaires (CUDEX and CUDEX-C) to measure expectations and their fulfillment.
• Utilized factorial analysis and Cronbach's alpha for questionnaire validation.

Main Results:

• A three-factor model (Academic adaptation, personal development, academic performance) emerged with good internal consistency.
• Statistically significant differences were observed between initial expectations and their fulfillment across all factors and all four years.
• Students reported that not all of their expectations were met during their studies.

Conclusions:

• The three-factor model provides a robust framework for understanding nursing student expectations.
• There is a consistent gap between the initial expectations of nursing students and their actual experiences during the degree program.
• Educational institutions should address this discrepancy to improve student satisfaction and outcomes.