Predicting student success: a 10-year review using integrative review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education Research
• Academic Success Predictors
• Integrative Review & Meta-Analysis

Background:

• Nursing education research historically focuses on student retention, graduation, and licensure exam success.
• Identifying reliable predictors is crucial for developing effective student support strategies.
• Previous studies often utilized descriptive methods with convenience samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct an integrative review and meta-analysis of nursing research on predictors of baccalaureate nursing student success.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving student outcomes.
• To identify cognitive and demographic factors associated with student retention and graduation.

Main Methods:

• Integrative review of 47 nursing studies (1981-1990) with at least one nurse author, published in US journals or dissertations.
• Meta-analysis of four experimental studies evaluating intervention effectiveness.
• Analysis of quantitative predictor variables including test scores and grade point averages.

Main Results:

• Grade point averages in nursing and science courses were the strongest cognitive predictors of student success.
• Parental education and student age emerged as significant demographic predictors.
• Interventions studied in the meta-analysis demonstrated significant positive effects on student outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Academic performance and specific demographic characteristics are key indicators of nursing student success.
• Targeted interventions can effectively enhance student retention, graduation, and licensure examination pass rates.
• Further research is warranted to refine predictive models and intervention strategies in nursing education.