FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE NURSING STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN A CRITICAL CARE SETTING.
Contributors: Texas A & M University.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 106
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to identify factors perceived by the students to have influenced their degree of satisfaction and, hence, their performance and success, in the critical care clinical setting. Identification of these factors and the extent to which they influence clinical performance are crucial to maximizing the student learning opportunities in the clinical area. Fifty out of one hundred eighty-six senior level baccalaureate nursing students were systematically selected to participate in the study.

Data, obtained through audiotape recorded interviews, were transcribed, sorted and grouped according to emergent themes. Grades assigned in the critical care clinical course were compared to the student's degree of satisfaction. An "A" grade was judged to represent a high level of success, a "B" grade was judged to represent a moderate level of success, and a "C" grade was judged to represent a marginal level of success.

Students who were highly and moderately successful identified factors attributable to their satisfaction to include: pre-clinical preparation, autonomy, interest, condition of the patient, fast pace, role models, and instructors. Marginally successful students identified factors attributable to their dissatisfaction to include: the condition of the patient, stress, knowledge deficit, fast pace, complex equipment, the instructor and personal problems.

The conclusions from this study were that students who prepare for clinical, those who enjoy autonomy and independence, and those who feel challenged by critically ill patients are more successful in the critical care setting. Furthermore, it was concluded that instructors and role models are influential in determining student success. Some implications for further research include examination of the influence of the student's gender, age, marital status, role models, stress and problem solving ability in relation to their level of success.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-06, Section: B, page: 2128.

Thesis (PH.D.)--TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY, 1988.

School code: 0803.