Pathophysiology as a Predictor of Success in a Prelicensure Undergraduate Nursing Program
Jennie S. Bergen, Kacie T. StanelleBackground:
Understanding predictors of success can guide nursing programs to increase student population and therefore increasing the nursing workforce. Limited evidence exists regarding pathophysiology as a predictor for success in nursing program completion. This study examined whether pathophysiology performance is a reliable predictor for success in an undergraduate prelicensure nursing program.
Method:
This retrospective descriptive study analyzed a convenience sample of 285 nursing students across 11 semesters of pathophysiology courses. Final course grades and program completion data were extracted from university records and analyzed using Fisher's exact test.
Results:
Of 25 students who were unsuccessful on first attempt in pathophysiology, only 1 (4%) student graduated. Students passing pathophysiology on the first attempt were 16 times more likely to complete the program (
Conclusion:
Pathophysiology performance on the first attempt is a reliable predictor of nursing program completion, identifying students at high risk for attrition who may benefit from early intervention.