Project Title:        

NET (Nurse Entrance Test) Student Success Program

Project Director and Other Associated Faculty and Staff:

Joann Abercrombie-Beaupre, Practical Nursing Instructor, Lake Superior College. Contact: j.abercrombie@lsc.mnsu.edu. Telephone: (218)733-7623.

Ann DeArmond, Reading Instructor, Lake Superior College. Contact a.dearmond@lsc.mnscu.edu.  Telephone: (218)733-5953

Project Design:

The NET was a pilot program that began in June 2003 to collect testing data on pre-nursing students to determine if they are at-risk of experiencing difficulty in their academic program.  Once identified as at risk, LSC nursing students are provided with coursework in critical reading and basic biology prior to their pre-requisite studies. However, testing of students who enrolled in these courses has demonstrated only a slight increase in their performance in reading and science.  Therefore, LSC proposes an enhanced NET program whereby students identified as at-risk will be provided academic advising and support through a learning community that offers paired courses in reading and science, supplemental instruction through mandatory study groups, and workshops on learning styles and application of study skills.

Project Evaluation and Outcomes:

Beginning in Fall of 2004, LSC purchased a computerized version of NET to test all nursing students at beginning of their program and to post-test at-risk students after completing the Critical Reading course.  Also grant funds were used to buy resource books and adopted a mandatory policy that requires all students to enroll in the Pre-Nursing Learning Community based on the test results of the NET.  Through faculty networking, discussions have been held to explore how NET can be a tool to improve student success. A program of ongoing testing is being conducted to track at-risk nursing students but it is too early to evaluate the program because the students are still in their pre-requisite stage of their nursing studies.  Data on student test scores, retention, and performance at work sites will be collected on students in the NET program.  Very early NET data indicates some improvement in nursing student success indicators.

Lessons Learned, Dissemination and Sustainability

LSC has identified assessment of student learning and instructional partnerships as campus-wide priorities.  The Nursing Student Success Policy and Procedures at LSC has made a commitment to continuing this project through NET pre and post-testing, continued analysis of data results, creating a Learning Community in the nursing program, and provide release credits for nursing faculty to help guide and advise students prior to NET testing.