Predicting Success In Nursing Programs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the merit of the Watson -Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal as a pre-admission criterion in conjunction with the frequently utilized admission criteria of the college prerequisite grade point average and the National League of Nursing pre-admission test.

Data were collected from 192 first-year nursing students.  A discriminant analysis was computed to determine the significance of the prediction formula. The predictor variables of prerequisite grade point average, National League for Nursing pre-admission test score, and the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal score were significant in predicting success in a nursing program as measured by the dependent variable nursing grade point average. The prediction formula, as a whole, had a significance level of p < .001. The identification and validation of applicant selection criteria that predict success in the nursing programs will continue to be of significant importance because of emphasis on the importance of fostering critical thinking in nursing education (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., 2012).