A STUDY OF THE PREDICTIVE VALIDITY OF ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR ADULT COMMUNITY COLLEGE NURSING STUDENTS.
Contributors: University of Connecticut.
Published: 1984
Number of pages: 130
Subjects: Education, Community College.
Description: The increase in the number of community colleges over the last 60 years along with the increase in the number of adult students entering community colleges required a reevaluation of existing admission criteria to professional career programs such as nursing.

The study focused on the predictive validity of existing admission criteria to community college nursing programs as they related to academic performance of adult students enrolled in the nursing program and to their successful completion of the program.

Academic and demographic data of adult students admitted to the first six graduating classes in one community college nursing program in Connecticut were analyzed using step-wise multiple regression and discriminant analysis.

The intent of the study was to test the variables represented by these data for their efficacy as predictors of academic performance and program completion of adult community college nursing students.

The academic variables tested as predictors included the following: high school grades in biology, chemistry and algebra, Scholastic Aptitude Test Verbal (S.A.T.-V) and algebra, Scholastic Aptitude Test Verbal (S.A.T.-V) and Scholastic Aptitude Test Non-Verbal (S.A.T.-NV) scores. The demographic variables tested as predictors included the following; age, ethnicity, previous health work experience, previous college experience and Licensed Practical Nurse status.

Step-wise multiple regression analysis was employed to test the efficacy of the variables as academic predictors. Discriminant analysis was employed to test the efficacy of the variables as predictors of program completion. A .05 level of significance was applied as a criteria to all F values.

Principle findings were: (1) Ethnicity and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores appeared as valid predictors for success of adult students in community college nursing education. (2) High school scores in pre-requisite courses (biology, algebra, chemistry) were inconsistent in demonstrating significance as predictor variables for success of adult students in community college nursing education. (3) Previous health work experience, Licensed Practical Nurse status and previous college experience were inconsistent in demonstrating significance as predictor variables for success of adult students in community college nursing education. (4) Age and previous health work experience were not significant predictor variables for adult students in community college nursing education.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-05, Section: A, page: 1279.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, 1984.

School code: 0056.