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Published on: June 21, 2010
Understanding Academic Success From the Perspective of Nursing Students: A Qualitative Study
Marie Adorno1, Paula A Kensler, Todd Tartavoulle
1About the Authors The authors are faculty at the Louisiana State University Health New Orleans School of Nursing, New Orleans, Louisiana (LSUHNO). LSUHNO is a Louisiana Center for Promotion of Optimal Health Outcomes: A Joanna Briggs Institute Center of Excellence. Marie Adorno, PhD, APRN, CNE, is an assistant professor of clinical nursing and director of the DNS Program. Paula A. Kensler, DNP, MBA, RN, is an instructor of clinical nursing and director of the Clinical Nurse Leader (MSN) and Executive Nurse Leader (DNP) Programs; she is a candidate for the PhD degree. Todd Tartavoulle DNS, APRN, CNS-BC, is an associate professor of clinical nursing and program director, Traditional BSN Program. For more information, contact Dr. Adorno at madorn@lsuhsc.edu.
Nontraditional nursing students
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Higher Education
- Student Success
Background:
- Baccalaureate nursing programs require both academic and social preparation for student success.
- Nontraditional students face unique challenges in higher education settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify nontraditional nursing students' perspectives on strategies that facilitated their academic success.
- To understand the factors contributing to the on-time graduation of nontraditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research design utilizing focus groups.
- In-depth exploration of experiences from nontraditional BSN graduates who completed their programs on time.
Main Results:
- Key themes identified: access to resources, self-awareness, social support systems, and early program engagement.
- These factors were crucial for navigating the demands of baccalaureate nursing education.
Conclusions:
- Baccalaureate nursing programs should integrate social transition support alongside academic preparation.
- Findings informed revisions to new student orientation, incorporating time management, test-taking skills, self-awareness assessments, and professional socialization strategies.
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