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KEYWORDS: Admission criteria, Academic performance, Post RN, Nursing.
INTRODUCTION
Admission criteria is one of the key indicators to predict academic performance.1 Educationists are interested in identifying key factors which can predict academic performance. Studies suggest that rigorous validated admission criteria can predict the decrease failure rate and lead to successful completion of program.2 Literature reviews suggests that admission criteria constitutes of cognitive and non-cognitive factors.3 Cognitive variables include aptitude tests, previous academic marks, admission tests, while non-cognitive factors includes gender, previous experience, age, race, personality and ethnicity. Various cognitive and non-cognitive factors are set in the admission criteria to identify and select students who can successfully complete their programs.4,5 Available evidence suggests that a better formulated admission criteria including mix of academic and non-academic factors can predict better academic performance.6
Admission criteria to diplomas and baccalaureate degree in nursing in Pakistan mainly consist of previous academic performance and entry tests score, age, gender and interviews. Admission criteria have not been researched to inform whether it is a strong predictor of academic performance. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between admission criteria and academic performance in the Post RN BSN nursing students at Khyber Medical University, Peshawar.
METHODS
A correlational study was conducted. A specifically designed Checklist was used to record the data from the available records on admission criteria and academic performance. The checklist includes the information about Marks in SSC, Previous academic Marks in General nursing and midwifery/speciality, Entry Test Marks, Academic performance in GPA. It was validated from the expert in the field of medical education and nursing education. The checklist was also field tested for errors before data collection. The records of all 197 Post RN nursing students enrolled and passed out between (2008-2017) in Khyber Medical University, Peshawar was reviewed using the checklist. Those who failed to complete the course due to any reason were not included in the study. Data was collected after ASRB and ethical approval from ethical review board of Khyber Medical University.
Data regarding enrolment characteristics was collected from the students’ personal files and admission records while data about academic performance in Post-RN Program were obtained from examination section of Khyber Medical University, Peshawar. The study variables included previous academic marks measured in...