Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Linda Howard
Committee Member
Susan A. Torbenson
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
academic support, academic success, adult learning, adult learning theories, andragogy, evaluation, implementation, learning motivation, nontraditional students, Nova Southeastern University, nursing education, questionnaire development, retention, RN to BSN program, RN to BSN students, student needs, student services, summative evaluation, support models, undergraduate nursing students
Abstract
The purpose of this applied dissertation was to provide conceptual and foundational information for the development of an academic support model for RN to BSN students enrolled at Nova Southeastern University.
The study addresses four research questions: What academic support services do RN to BSN students need? What is an appropriate academic support model for RN to BSN students at Nova Southeastern University? What is an appropriate implementation plan for the academic support model? What is a suitable plan of evaluation for the academic support model?
Development and evaluation methodologies were used to complete this study. Procedures that were utilized included the (a) review of literature, (b) development of a questionnaire, (c) formative committee review, (d) summative committee review, (e) analysis of data, and (f) development of the academic support model with plans for implementation and evaluation.
The major assumption was that the developed Academic Support Model for RN to BSN students would provide a foundation for the RN to BSN program at Nova Southeastern University. It was anticipated that the model would address the academic support needs for the students and would serve as a sounding board for the administration in the department of nursing in ensuring retention and academic success of the students. As a result of this research study, an academic support model with a plan for implementation and evaluation was developed.