Determine the Factors Influencing Absenteeism among Nursing Students

Abstract

Introduction: Absenteeism is a major problem in the process of gaining knowledge, innovation, and skills in achieving the personal and professional goal. The absenteeism of nursing students from classrooms and clinical setting has a negative impact on their performance and prolongs the length of their studying.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the factors influencing absenteeism among nursing students at the University of Lahore, Pakistan.

Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The target population consisted of 135 student nurses. The sample of the study represented all academic levels Post RN and BSN Generic. Data were collected by using self-administered questionnaire that comprised 5 point Likert scale. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 21) was used for data Conclusion analysis. Ethical clearance was obtained prior to conducting research. Independent t test was carried out to check the difference between male and female. ANOVA test was applied to check the association of age and academic level with factors contributing to absenteeism.

Results: The findings of the study investigated that factors influencing absenteeism among the participated nursing students reported that the highest mean scores were associated with teaching factors, followed by assessment factor and social factor where means scores were (18.86 ± 4.79, and 17.27 ±4.30, 14.22±3.15 respectively). Also, the lowest mean score reported were related to learning Environment (mean =12.48 ± 3.01).

This study concluded that the most common contributory factors that influence the absenteeism among nursing students were related to teaching factors following the assessment factor and social factor was the contributory reason to influence the absenteeism.

Recommendations: Providing a safe learning environment, keeping accurate records of attendance and calculating absenteeism rates at frequent intervals are required for identifying each individual’s pattern of attendance. The study suggested that appropriate and innovative teaching strategies and support systems be established for Student nurses.

Keywords: Absenteeism, factors, Nursing students, Learning environment.