Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the selection criteria utilized by each California Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program and the success of the students in completing the program and passing the NCLEX-RN Registered Nursing Exam following admission to the program during the academic years 1992/1993 through 1996/1997. In addition, this study compared those California Community College Associate Degree Nursing Programs that utilized ranked preselection criteria with those that did not. Methodolgy. The study utilized three methodologies: descriptive research, correlational, and causal/comparative or ex post facto to answer eight research questions and two hypotheses. The population included all students accepted into the seventy-one California community college associate degree programs for the five-year period surveyed. Two items were used to collect data from program directors: a locator card and a survey. Data were analyzed with both descriptive statistics and z-scores. Findings. This study found a significant difference in the success of graduates when admitted utilizing ranked criteria versus nonranked. The students for all five years were significantly more successful when admitted utilizing ranked criteria. The success of students on the NCLEX-RN state licensing exam was not affected by the type of selection criteria utilized at any college surveyed. Changes to selection criteria also significantly decreased the success of students completing all programs. The null hypothesis was rejected based on these findings. Conclusions and recommendations. Many California community college associate degree nursing programs have made significant changes to enrollment criteria with very little data on the outcome of these changes. Colleges have changed selection criteria from a form of ranked to nonranked, in an attempt to fulfill the mission of community colleges. These students are becoming less successful at a high cost to both the student, institution, and community. Based on this research, changes to selection criteria must be made to include ranked criteria in order for students to be successful and the integrity of the nursing profession to be maintained.