title: Predicting student satisfaction in baccalaureate nursing programs: testing a causal model.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to test a causal model for predicting the overall satisfaction of senior students with their baccalaureate nursing programs. The proposed model was primarily a sociological impact model based upon Tinto's (1975) student integration theory for predicting student departure, and Pascarella's (1985) causal model for predicting student outcomes. To test the model, a sample of 195 senior female students from five baccalaureate nursing programs in the southwestern United States was selected for step-wise regression studies and path analysis. Testing the causal model, the students' integration into the academic and social systems of their nursing programs directly explained 42% of the variance for predicting overall satisfaction. The best predictors of overall satisfaction were the students' 1) academic development, 2) satisfaction with facilities and services, 3) satisfaction with the faculty, and 4) social interaction with peers.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Azusa Pacific University, CA 91702, USA.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Liegler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015984:Causality; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012931:Social Environment; D015206:Southwestern United States; D013338:Students, Nursing