Gender difference in academic performance of nursing students in a Malaysian university college

Mental Disorders, Social Media Addiction, and Academic Performance in Romanian Undergraduate Nursing Students

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate social media addiction in Romanian undergraduate nursing students and its association with academic performance, depression, and anxiety. Methods: We used a cross-sectional online survey to collect data among nursing undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form (SMAS-SF), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to assess social media addiction, depression, and anxiety, respectively. Results: A total of 90 nursing students participated in the study, of which 82 (91.1%) were females and 81 (90%) were of Romanian ethnicity. The median age of participants was 21 years (18-40). Males showed higher BDI total scores, SMAS-SF total scores, and STAI scale A state anxiety compared to females, and females showed higher STAI scale A trait anxiety compared to males, although these results were not statistically significant. Also, we found no significant difference in these variables between participants from different study years. Participants with no or mild depression had a significantly higher academic performance (p-value = 0.001), lower SMAS-SF (p-value = 0.004), and lower STAI scores (p-value < 0.001) compared to participants with borderline, moderate, or severe depression after performing multivariate regression analysis. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that depression was significantly associated with social media addiction, anxiety, and lower academic performance in Romanian undergraduate nursing students.

Professional Identity Scale for Male Nursing Students Using the Rasch Model and Latent Regression on Gender and Background Variables

This study developed a professional identity (PI) scale and compared the scores of male and female nursing students. Few studies have focused on male nursing students to understand their PI vis-à-vis related background variables relative to female ones. We recruited 384 male nursing students in Taiwan to construct the PI scale based on the Rasch model with 12 items and 3 factors, namely cognitive, emotional, and behavioural identity. The PI scale showed a good model fit in confirmatory factor analysis, with factor loadings ranging from 0.56 to 0.73. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranged from 0.72 to 0.79 for the three subscales and 0.88 for the entire scale. The results of the multiple latent regression analyses showed that male nursing students had higher PI in the total scale and its three factors than did female ones. Having mothers with medical or nursing-related jobs may help promote the cognitive PI of male nursing students. Experiences of caring for family members can help promote PI among female nursing students but not among male ones. Future research should focus on decreasing loss in behavioural PI for both genders after graduation and on reinforcing the association between behavioural PI and interest in nursing among male nursing students.

Potential Future Directions in Optimization of Students' Performance Prediction System

Previous studies widely report the optimization of performance predictions to highlight at-risk students and advance the achievement of excellent students. They also have contributions that overlap different fields of research. On the one hand, they have insightful psychological studies, data mining discoveries, and data analysis findings. On the other hand, they produce a variety of performance prediction approaches to assess students' performance during cognitive tasks. However, the synchronization between these studies is still a black box that increases prediction systems' dependency on real-world datasets. It also delays the mathematical modeling of students' emotional attributes. This review paper performs an insightful analysis and thorough literature-based survey to draw a comprehensive picture of potential challenges and prior contributions. The review consists of 1497 publications from 1990 to 2022 (32 years), which reported various opportunities for future performance prediction researchers. First, it evaluates psychological studies, data analysis results, and data mining findings to provide a general picture of the statistical association among students' performance and various influential factors. Second, it critically evaluates new students' performance prediction techniques, modifications in existing techniques, and comprehensive studies based on the comparative analysis. Lastly, future directions and potential pilot projects based on the assumption-based dataset are highlighted to optimize the existing performance prediction systems.

Teamwork skills in higher education: is university training contributing to their mastery?

Teamwork skills are considered essential for personal, academic and professional achievement, so universities are increasingly integrating them into their syllabuses. However, little is known about how some specific features of students and their educational development can affect their acquisition. Accordingly, this study aims to fill this gap and describe higher education students' mastery of teamwork skills and its relation to certain socio-academic variables (gender, academic year and grade point average-GPA). With the aim of determining the level of teamwork skills among university students, an observational, transversal descriptive study was designed with an intentional sample of Spanish university students. The sample is made up of 615 social science degree students. The results suggest significant gender differences, highlighting that female students outdid their male counterparts in most teamwork skills, except leadership. Likewise, students' skills improved as they progressed in their studies, particularly those skills related to adaptability and decision-making. Finally, a positive relationship was observed between teamwork skills and GPA, except for interpersonal development. A regression analysis confirmed the influence of both academic year and GPA for women whilst no effect was detected in the case of men. Based on these results, it is suggested to make changes in university education programmes to compensate for the influence of socio-academic factors and benefit from the most positive features of each gender regarding teamwork to achieve an equal and fair higher education.

English Language Usage and Academic Achievement Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction

Nursing students who speak English as a second language (ESL) face academic challenges such as academic and clinical underperformance and slower course progression. English language usage and its effect on Saudi undergraduate nursing students’ academic achievement is limited in the literature.

Objectives

To identify the level of and the effect of English language usage on academic achievement among Saudi undergraduate nursing students.

Methods

A cross-sectional, correlational descriptive design was employed. Data were collected from a convenience sample of nursing students (N = 90) attending a public nursing program in Saudi Arabia using English Language Usage Scale (ELUS-11). Data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistics.

Results

Saudi nursing students’ academic achievement was high. However, their English language usage was low. Yet, the student’s highest average score was related to listening, followed by reading, general, writing, and speaking. The general linear model revealed that English language usage influenced academic achievement (B = .026, p <.001) after controlling the sample gender and academic level.

Conclusions

The findings showed English language usage was associated with academic achievement. Saudi nursing students were willing to succeed in their studies despite their low levels of English skills. Providing English resources such as courses through extracurricular activities and workshops for the students might enhance their use of English, which might improve their academic achievement.

Associated factors of professional identity among nursing undergraduates during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

Objectives

Professional identity plays an important role in the long-term development of nurses, and it will change when public health emergency occurs. The objective of this study is to investigate the factors associated with the professional identity of nursing undergraduates in the epidemic of COVID-19.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey design with convenience sampling was used. A total of 3,875 nursing undergraduates were recruited from seven universities across China from March to April 2020. A general information questionnaire was used to collect students’ information, and the Professional Identity Questionnaire for Nurse Students was used to survey their professional identity during the early and later stages of the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Results

The score of professional identity in the later stage (59.49 ± 12.41) was higher than that in the early stage (56.96 ± 12.61). The stepwise regression indicated that several factors were associated with professional identity, including gender, residential area, major, impact of the epidemic on intention to work after graduation, reasons for choosing nursing major and students’ scores of professional identity in early stage.

Conclusions

Nursing educators can utilize the positive impact of responding to public health emergencies to increase the professional identity of students. Meanwhile, educators should give those students with lower professional identity more targeted education to cultivate their professional identity after the occurrence of public health emergencies.

Predictors of nursing students' academic performance in the National Autonomous University of Mexico, 2010-2019: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The available literature suggests that diverse factors, including sociodemographic, academic, psychological, and occupational, can have impacts on nursing students' academic performance. Therefore, it follows that the institutional environment can mediate on these influences.

OBJECTIVE

Based on a 10-years student performance follow-up information reservoir, to analyze the relationships between student performance and a set of sociodemographic and academic characteristics of students enrolled in the programs of Bachelor of Nursing (LE), and Bachelor of Nursing and Obstetrics (LEO), in the National School of Nursing and Obstetrics (ENEO) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

METHODOLOGY

The registers (n = 3984) from the Academic Control Integral System of the ENEO-UNAM were used. The students' main sociodemographic and academic characteristics were described, and multiple-regression models were estimated in order to identify predictors of school performance.

RESULTS

Sustained increments in the enrolment of LE and LEO students during the study period. Changes were noticed regarding the sex distribution and the enrolment age. More students chose the LE program during this period. School performance was higher among female students, among students in their last semesters, and among students who had been granted a scholarship. In contrast, students who had previously failed a subject performed lower.

CONCLUSION

The identified school performance predictors suggest the need to strengthen institutional policies aimed at promoting the achievement of academic excellence so that graduate students become better prepared to enter the labor markets and address the nursing demands of society.

Impact of psychosocial factors on academic performance of nursing students in Thailand

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the psychosocial factors that impact the academic performance of nursing students.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 767 nursing students from three nursing colleges in Thailand. Instruments included Counseling Center Assessment for Psychological Symptoms and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Path model analyses with the maximum likelihood method were utilized to examine the proposed model. Model fit was estimated using multiple indexes, including chi-square/df ratio (χ2/df), comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA).

Findings

Results indicated that family distress, emotional negativity, self-esteem and substance use were factors that related to nursing students' academic performance. Findings of path analyses indicated that the model demonstrated good fit: χ2 (2, N = 767) = 3.11, p = 0.48; χ2/df = 1.56; CFI = 1.00; TLI = 0.99; RMSEA = 0.027, (90% CI = [0.000, 0.082], PCLOSE = 0.68).

Originality/value

While prior research has examined some facets leading to academic success for nursing students, psychosocial factors have not received adequate attention. This study presents a model of family and individual psychosocial factors that impact academic performance of nursing students along with recommendations to help improve their well-being.

Academic failure and its predictors in Baccalaureate nursing students: A longitudinal study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To describe the sociodemographic and academic characteristics of nursing students who report academic failure and to identify the determinants of academic failure (no degree on time) in a population of nursing students.

BACKGROUND

Although prior studies have shown that academic failure is influenced by multiple factors, the studies mentioned have mostly focused on specific single variables associated with academic failure, and they have reported inconsistent results.

DESIGN

A prospective follow-up study design was used in an Italian Baccalaureate Nursing Degree program. A total sample of 2,040 at baseline and a random subsample of 753 students were considered for academic failure determinants. The study followed the recommendations of STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology).

METHODS

We included in the model academic background, self-efficacy, sociodemographic variables and self-efficacy in psychomotor skills and motivation. We used the Academic Nurse Self-Efficacy Scale (ANSEs), the Nursing Self-Efficacy in Psychomotor Skill Scale (NSE-PS) and the Motivation Nursing Students' Scale (MNSS) which have been validated on nursing students. For the assessment of predictors of academic failure, a two-stage hierarchical logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Students who had academic failure were 69.4% of the sample. Predictors of academic failure were the secondary school certification grade, the university pre-admission test score; the academic self-efficacy, self-efficacy in psychomotor skills and clinical training examination grades were additional predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

The secondary school certification grade, the University pre-admission test score, low academic self-efficacy, low self-efficacy in psychomotor skills and low clinical training examination grades were predictors of academic failure in nursing students.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Our findings suggest that the universities could consider a cut-off in the pre-admission test score as a critical value for identifying students who are likely to fail. In addition, nursing faculty staff should consider strategies for developing self-efficacy and motivation.

Psychometric evaluation of the 11-item English language usage scale in commencing nursing students

BACKGROUND

Globalisation has increased the number of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds enrolling in nursing programs where English is the primary medium of instruction. These students may experience challenges with English language usage and need to be identified early to ensure academic success.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and test the psychometric properties of a self-report English language usage scale (ELUS-11).

METHODS

Prospective, correlational study of commencing nursing students enrolled in a communication unit at a university in the western Sydney region of Australia. English-language usage was measured using the ELUS-11, an 11-item self-report tool with a 5-point Likert scale response format. Factorial validity was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and logistic regression was used to compute the predictive validity of the ELUS.

RESULTS

Of the 1723 students enrolled, 1100 (64%) returned surveys with all items of the ELUS-11 completed. The mean age of respondents was 25.4 years (SD: 8.0 years), 85% were female and 67% spoke a language other than English at home. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a one-factor structure that explained 65% of the variance, with factor loadings ranging from 0.72 to 0.86; and high internal consistency (α = 0.96). The ELUS-11 was able to discriminate among different groups of students based on age, domestic/international enrolment status and language spoken at home (all p < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed the ELUS-11 had good predictive validity, with those in the high ELUS-11 group over three times more likely to obtain a pass grade in their first written assessment (Adjusted odds ratio: 3.01, 95% CI: 2.05-4.43).

CONCLUSION

The ELUS-11 is a valid and reliable measure of English-language usage, and appropriate for use in an undergraduate nursing population to identify students at risk of poor academic performance.

What motivates students to enter nursing? Findings from a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

It is expected that future nurses have high levels of emotional intelligence and empathy, because of their everyday interaction with people in a clinical environment. Thus, nursing students must show interest in nursing studies and in work with people. Moreover, it is desired that they have good communication skills. On the other hand, students who choose nursing as their future career may have high expectations from nursing education. The aim of this study was to explore nursing students' reasons for pursuing nursing studies.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate nursing students in Slovenia and Croatia.

RESULTS

A total of 314 students participated in the study. General satisfaction with their studies is higher among those students who are satisfied with their chosen study programme. The most important reasons to enter nursing studies were interest in the subject and good employment possibilities. As the biggest disadvantage of studying nursing, Slovenian students listed crowded schedules, while Croatian students mentioned faculty organization. Students from both countries agreed that the biggest advantage is the ease of finding a job after graduation.

DISCUSSION

As there is a lack of workforce in the healthcare sector, particularly a lack of nurses, universities must adjust their demands and improve study conditions to gain students' attention. Therefore, it is important to notice that nursing students perceive more advantages of studying nursing than disadvantages.

CONCLUSION

There are many different reasons to enter nursing studies. Students perceive many advantages in studying nursing, such as ease of employment, getting many hours of clinical practice and the possibility for promotion. On the other hand, there are some challenges in studying nursing, such as the schedule and organization of lectures, seminars and clinical placement. There is a need for further research in the field of nursing student's motivation, especially due to their decreasing motivation during the studies.

Does the use of annotated exemplars by nursing students predict academic performance? A cohort study

AIMS

To examine the usefulness of the annotated exemplar as an academic support strategy, and explore the characteristics of students who were more likely to engage with this academic support tool. Additionally, to identify if there was any influence on the academic performance in the assessment activity among those who engaged with the annotated exemplar.

BACKGROUND

Annotated exemplars have the potential to target students en masse and provide meaningful, task specific comments that guide students prior to assessment submission. Effective strategies to support student learning are needed as nursing students are increasingly entering tertiary studies from non-traditional backgrounds.

DESIGN

A cohort study was used to collect administrative data, academic grades and annotated exemplar usage statistics.

SETTING

A large multi-campus university in NSW, Australia during Spring semester 2016.

PARTICIPANTS

Second year undergraduate students enrolled in a single unit in the Bachelor of Nursing Program.

METHODS

Quantitative data related to marks, grades and usage information; and demographic data and contact details were extracted from the online learning management system and student electronic records.

RESULTS

Of the 1120 students enrolled in the unit, 49.5% of students engaged with the annotated exemplar. Students more likely to engage with the tool were older, female, born outside of Australia and had higher hit rates on the online learning management site. Of those who engaged with the annotated exemplar, there was no demonstrated increase in assessment mark.

CONCLUSION

To improve student performance it is essential that feedback is engaging and effective. While, in this study, use of the annotated exemplar was not reflected in student marks, it is unclear how students may have performed without access to the exemplar. Further research is required to explore the reasons why students did not engage with the annotated exemplar and, for those who did, why the intervention did not impact on assessment mark.

Relationship between admission criteria and academic performance: A correlational study in nursing students

Background & Objective

An admission criterion is one of the key indicators of academic success. The purpose of admission process is to select best candidates for the particular program who will complete the program successfully. Thus rigorous admission criteria can predict academic performance, decrease failure rate and successful completion of degree. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between various variables in the existing admission criteria and academic performance.

Methods

A cross sectional study design was chosen. Data (2009-2017) was gathered from the records of Institute of Nursing Science, Khyber Medical University. Variables in the admission criteria included age, gender, previous academic performance, entry test score and experience. The dependent variable was academic performance measured in CGPA. The data was analyzed using correlation and regression analysis through SPSS and STATA.

Results

The results reported a significant relationship between admission criteria and the academic performance of nursing students. Various variables in the admission criteria i.e. SSC marks (r=0.32, p=>0.001), previous academic score at diploma level (r=0.48, p=>0.001) and entry test scores (r=0.26, p=>0.001) have significant relationship between academic performance. However, previous academic scores at diploma level were better predictors of the academic performance.

Conclusion

The study concludes to use integrated admission criteria for the selection of students and bring changes in the traditional admission process.

Predictive validity of the post-enrolment English language assessment tool for commencing undergraduate nursing students

BACKGROUND

Nursing students with English as an additional language (EAL) may underperform academically. The post-enrolment English language assessment (PELA) is used in literacy support, but its predictive validity in identifying those at risk of underperformance remains unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To validate a PELA, as a predictor of academic performance.

DESIGN

Prospective survey design.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a university located in culturally and linguistically diverse areas of western Sydney, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Commencing undergraduate nursing students who were Australian-born (n=1323, 49.6%) and born outside of Australia (n=1346, 50.4%) were recruited for this study. The 2669 (67% of 3957) participants provided consent and completed a first year nursing unit that focussed on developing literacy skills.

METHOD

Between 2010 and 2013, commencing students completed the PELA and English language acculturation scale (ELAS), a previously validated instrument. The grading levels of the PELA tool were: Level 1 (proficient), Level 2 (borderline), and Level 3 (poor, and requiring additional support).

RESULTS

Participants with a PELA Level 2 or 3 were more likely to be: a) non-Australian-born (χ(2): 520.6, df: 2, p<0.001); b) spoke a language other than English at home (χ(2): 490.2, df: 2, p<0.001); and c) an international student (χ(2): 225.6, df: 2, p<0.001). There was an inverse relationship between participants' ELAS scores and PELA levels (r=-0.52, p<0.001), and those graded as 'proficient' with a PELA Level 1 were more likely to obtain higher scores in their: i) unit essay assessment (χ(2): 40.2, df: 2, p<0.001); ii) final unit mark (χ(2): 218.6, df: 2, p<0.001), and attain a higher GPA (χ(2): 100.8, df: 2, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The PELA is a useful screening tool in identifying commencing nursing students who are at risk of academic underachievement.

Frequency and predictors of courses repetition, probation, and delayed graduation in kashan faculty of nursing and midwifery

Background:

Course failing and delayed graduation are important concerns in educational systems. The reasons of these educational failures need to be clarified.

Objectives:

This study was designed to determine the academic failure rate and its predictors in Nursing and Midwifery Students in Kashan University of Medical Sciences.

Materials and Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, the records of all the students graduated in Nursing and Midwifery faculty during 18 years (1986 - 2003) were evaluated (1174 graduates). The demographic variables and the educational situation were recorded. The frequency of course repetition, probation, and delayed graduation were determined and the data were analyzed using the chi-square and logistic regression tests.

Results:

The frequency of course repetition, probation, and delayed graduation was reported to be 19.25%, 3.9% and 19.85%, respectively. Gaining Low grade in high school, transferring from other universities, having special quota, and transferring temporarily to other universities were mentioned as the risk factors of academic failure. The major had a significant relationship with academic failure. Day time students had more course failure and night time students stayed longer in the university.

Conclusions:

The individual characteristics, educational background and admission criteria had showed relation with academic failure. Vulnerable students should be identified and educational supports should be provided for these students.