This study is the first phase of a longitudinal, 4 year cohort study examining the relationship between stressors and student success. The population consisted of 125 junior nursing students entering an baccalaureate program taught on two health science campuses located in two large metropolitan areas in the southwestern
Health status was measured by the SF-12 , the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Posttraumatic Stress was measured by the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) checklist, the Perceived Faculty Support scale measured perceptions of faculty support and the Student Nurse Stress Index measured general stress related to the nursing student role. Student success is measured by Grade Point Average, attrition, and semester absenteeism.
At the beginning of Fall 2006, data collection commenced utilizing a standardized interview schedule containing study measures. Through face to face interviews, each of the 40 investigative team members gathered baseline data for a caseload of 3 to 5 students to be followed by repeated data collection at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters.
Findings: Baseline data for the predictor variables have all been analyzed and additional fall and a spring data collection period will complete the first year study in looking at the predictor’s influence on student success.
Conclusions and Implications: Student nurse variables that can predict success in nursing academic programs are important to identify and may help faculty design specific programs for those at risk for academic failure.