ACADEMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES RELATED TO COMPLETION STATUS OF NURSING STUDENTS IN MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS (ACADEMIC VARIABLES).
Contributors: Georgia State University.
Published: 1990
Number of pages: 126
Subjects: Education, Higher.; Health Sciences, Nursing.; Education, Administration.
Description: Purpose. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the significance and strength of relationships between selected academic and demographic variables and successful completion of master's degree programs in nursing.

Methods and procedures. Data were collected on 289 subjects in four universities with a master's degree program in nursing. Subjects (n = 215) were assigned randomly to Group A which was used to analyze the data and develop a prediction equation. Group B (n = 74) was used to confirm the equation.

The categorical variable of completion status required the use of discriminant analysis with a stepwise Mahalanobis method. The variables of undergraduate grade point average (UGPA), Graduate Record Examination scores, age, gender, race, resident status, urban or rural designation, years of professional work experience, and time elapsed between baccalaureate degree and admission to a master's degree program in nursing were analyzed in relation to completion status. The accepted level of significance was p $<$.05.

Results. The findings indicated no statistically significant relationship between the academic variables and completion status. There was a significant relationship between age, gender, race, resident status, and time elapsed between baccalaureate degree and admission to a master's degree program in nursing. The findings of the combination of all academic and demographic variables indicated that the variables of UGPA (r =.15), age (r =.43), gender (r =.65), race (r =.43), and years of professional work experience (r =.22) were significant. These results formed the weighted coefficients in the prediction equation.

Conclusions. The results of the analysis of Group A was the correct classification of 75% of the subjects according to completion status; whereas, Group B identified 72% correctly. The prediction equation provided a better selection than chance (62%) for candidates who did complete master's degree programs in nursing.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-06, Section: A, page: 1920.

Thesis (PH.D.)--GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY, 1990.

School code: 0079.