Predicting student success in nurse practitioner programs

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Criteria for admission to nurse practitioner (NP) and other professional programs provide a snapshot of students' potential for success in those programs. Critical examination of admission criteria is a vital component of ensuring timely matriculation and completion of NP programs. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between admission criteria and student progression and completion of NP programs. METHODS A retrospective review of 150 randomly selected student records from a total of 232 available records was conducted. A predictive correlational design was used to examine factors that influence success in NP programs. CONCLUSIONS Statistically significant relationships existed among type of admission status, change in program concentration, age, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal score, GRE quantitative score, total GRE scores, and program progression and completion. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Data collection from this and related research is paramount in developing information infrastructures that support consistent evaluation and revision of admission criteria and program curricula. Leaders in academia can use these data to achieve instructional excellence, improve education systems, and ensure timely matriculation through NP programs. This facilitates workforce planning and supports efforts to meet the expanding need for primary care providers.