title: Retention and academic performance of undergraduate nursing students with advanced standing: A mixed-methods study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Undergraduate nursing students enter university through a variety of pathways. For some students, this includes the granting of advanced standing based on recognition of prior qualifications. The impact of advanced standing on nursing students' transition, retention and success at university is not well understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the retention, academic success and experiences of students who commenced their undergraduate nursing studies with advanced standing.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sequential exploratory mixed-methods design was used in this study, which involved undergraduate nursing students enrolled at a multi-campus university in Australia. Nursing students who enrolled in 2014 and did not opt out of program level research were included in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students with advanced standing were older (mean 31.6 versus 25.8 years, p<0.001) and more likely to discontinue their studies at the end of semester one (97% versus 95%, p=0.015) than standard-entry students. Advanced standing was also shown to be an independent predictor of low GPA [OR: 1.69 (95% CI: 1.06 to 2.69]. Most students with advanced standing commenced directly into second year (45%) missing first year student connections and programs. Students reported feeling apprehensive, forgotten and ill-prepared for the expectations of university. Some showed significant strength and resilience while others were struggling to cope with the workload with minimal knowledge or understanding of supports available to them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The widening participation agenda is a commendable strategy; however, students who enter university with advanced standing need targeted support to promote their transition, retention and success at university.
authors.affiliation: Western Sydney University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia. Electronic address: t.northall@westernsydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Northall
authors.affiliation: Western Sydney University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia. Electronic address: l.ramjan@westernsydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Lucie M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ramjan
authors.affiliation: Western Sydney University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia. Electronic address: b.everett@westernsydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Everett
authors.affiliation: Western Sydney University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia. Electronic address: y.salamonson@westernsydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Yenna
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Salamonson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013332:Student Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Academic performance; Advanced standing; Mixed-methods approach; Nursing education; Nursing students; Retention; Widening participation