A COMPARISON OF ATTRITION AND NCLEX-PN SUCCESS RATES OF GED CREDENTIAL HOLDERS AND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES IN PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAMS IN ALABAMA (NURSING EDUCATION).
Contributors: University of Alabama.
Published: 1994
Number of pages: 124
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Education.; Education, Higher.
Description: This study examined selected variables that might affect attrition in practical nursing (LPN) programs and success on the state licensure examination for practical nurses (NCLEX-PN). Specifically, the purposes of this study were to determine (1) if a relationship exists between student outcome in a practical nursing program and method of high school completion, age, gender, and race, and (2) if a difference exists in the GPAs of students graduating from high school and those receiving a GED certificate.

The sample consisted of all fulltime students admitted during fall quarter or semester of 1988, 1989, and 1990 in four randomly LPN programs in Alabama. Chi-square test of association was used to examine the data relative to the four null hypotheses that dealt with the relationship of the variables to student outcome. Student outcome was defined by three levels: (1) noncompletion of program, (2) completion of program but failing NCLEX-PN exam, (3) completion of program and passing NCLEX-PN exam. The independent groups t-test was used to examine if a relationship exists between method of high school completion and GPA.

It was concluded that support was provided for two hypotheses. The variables found to have a relationship to program outcome were age and race. The youngest age group (17-24) and nonwhite students were found to have a lower that expected success rate in LPN programs.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-06, Section: B, page: 2158.

Thesis (ED.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, 1994.

School code: 0004.