Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / 2031-01-01

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The aim of this research is to identify the critical variables influencing the growth process in baccalaureate nursing programs, to establish the system structure of relationships between those variables, to incorporate the variables and their relationships into a dynamic decision-oriented simulation model of the growth process, and to investigate the validity and usefulness of the simulation model.

The purpose of the study was to determine students’ and faculty members’perceptions of the accelerated nursing programs at two colleges in the Mississippi Delta, Coahoma and Mississippi Delta Community College. The study centered on whether the age, race or gender of the students affected their perceptions of program support, key issues and challenges, and program limitations. The study explored differences in faculty and students’ perceptions of the accelerated nursing program in regards to local support, nursing faculty, most complicated areas of the program (which were clinical and exams), and barriers. A quantitative research design was used for this study. The survey was themethodological framework that was employed in this investigation to collect the data. The participants consisted of 13 faculty members and 33 students of the accelerated nursing program at two community colleges. The procedure to gather data for this study was two surveys developed by the researcher. The data in this study were obtained by using an Independent t-test, ANOVA and descriptive statistics. The following were findings of this study. No significant differences found in students’ perceptions of the accelerated nursing program by age or gender. Significant differences were found in students’ perceptions of the accelerated nursing program by race. The differences found were that Caucasians had a more positive perception than African Americans of salary attracting them to stay and work in the Mississippi Delta. Caucasians also had a more positive perception than African Americans that clinical is the most complicated area of the nursing program. In addition, Caucasians had a more positive perception than African Americans that transportation was a program barrier. Overall, faculty perceptions of the accelerated nursing program varied. Significant differences were found when students; and faculty perceptions were compared. The differences found were that students felt positive about the exams being the most complicated area of the program and the faculty disagreed. The other difference found was that faculty had a negative feeling toward their college lacking financial support from the local area, while students had a positive feeling.

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Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / 2031-01-01

The problem of this investigation was the development of a systematic method for the evaluation of curricula in baccalaureate nursing programs. The literature in nursing and general education was used to extrapolate theories and concepts for the formulation of a theoretical construct. This construct served as the basis for the evaluation instrument. The major concepts were identified as (1) underlying structure, (2) content of courses within the curriculum, and (3) methods and activities. Elements and components were chosen to clarify and extend the concepts. The literature and experts in nursing were both instrumental in the selection of weights. Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions are made. (1) A faculty member's ability to use a systematic evaluation instrument does not depend upon years of teaching experience or prior experience as a National League for Nursing visitor. (2) The Evaluation Index appears capable of meeting the criteria for a more systematic method of curriculum evaluation. (3) A theoretical construct appears conducive to theory development as it is directed toward an approach which is more scientific than intuitive. (4) The inclusion of clarifying components within the instrument provides for the evaluative effort to be distributed across the entire curriculum and indicates the scope of the evaluation effort, which apparently contributes to increasing the precision of evaluation. (5) Clarification of concepts and pre-established weights apparently contributed to the differences in the scores assigned by evaluates. (6) Predetermined weights for each element may contribute to more precise evaluation. (7) Limits on the possible value of each element may contribute to more precise curriculum evaluation.

Research about retention of nursing students has focused on either specific student characteristics or on nursing students at the university level. A problem experienced by a community college nursing program in Maryland is low completion rates, which can affect the institution and the nursing profession. This qualitative case study explored faculty-related factors leading to success of students in the nursing program at this school, so the low completion rate can be addressed. The conceptual foundations for this study were Tinto's theory of student retention and Jeffreys' nursing undergraduate retention and success model. The research questions addressed how faculty-related factors affected students' success in the nursing program. The study was conducted with 9 second year nursing students and 7 nursing faculty providing information through face to face interviews at a community college in central Maryland. Data analysis was conducted using inductive processes to code, identify, and analyze the themes. The findings of this case study suggested that students can benefit from improving their critical thinking abilities. The findings of this case study also suggested that faculty affect students' critical thinking abilities when faculty are approachable, provide a nurturing environment, and are helpful to students. A professional development workshop for nursing faculty and staff was developed based on the findings from these study results. This workshop will provide guidance to faculty and staff on strategies to assist student with improving critical thinking abilities. Implications for positive social change include addressing the nursing shortage by increasing the number of qualified nursing students from this program, understanding the perspectives of nursing students, and helping to meet the needs of nursing students.

The problem of this study is faculty attrition and role strain reported by faculty members in baccalaureate and higher degree programs in nursing. The purpose of the study is to determine whether variations exist in role strain reported by faculty members and faculty attrition based on institutional size, structure, and complexity, and on official expectations for faculty members. A questionnaire eliciting information regarding faculty attrition was mailed to seventy-five randomly selected administrators of baccalaureate and higher degree programs. Data related to faculty role strain were collected by questionnaires mailed to two hundred fifty randomly-selected faculty members from participating schools. Sixty-three administrative questionnaires and one hundred ninety-five faculty questionnaires were returned in usable form and were included in the analysis of data.

The problem with which this study is concerned is the attrition of freshman and sophomore students who enroll in a baccalaureate nursing program. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe factors that may contribute to the nursing student attrition problem at a state-supported university.