Factors Contributing to Academic Performance Outcomes in Institutional Examinations Among Nursing Students at the Kenyatta National Hospital School of Nursing

Abstract

Background: Institutional examinations are critical drivers of students’ learning process, outcomes and progress. However, gaps in academic performance outcomes of nursing students at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) School of Nursing were noted occasioning this study. Objectives: To investigate the factors (individual, nurse educators and institutional related) contributing to academic performance outcomes in institutional examinations among nursing students at the KNH School of Nursing. Methods: This was a mixed-methods cross-sectional study conducted among 101 nursing students (57 Critical care nursing and 44 Nephrology nursing) and 23 faculty members at the KNH School of Nursing recruited utilizing census technique. The students responded to a self-administered questionnaire while the faculty members responded to an interview guide. Numerical data was analyzed descriptively with SPSS version 25.0. Associations were probed with chi-square test at 95% CI with outcomes shown in tables and figures. Non-numeric data was organized descriptively with findings reported verbatim. Approvals, consenting, voluntarism, discretion were observed. Results: 75.2% of the students passed while 24.8% failed. The factors found to influence their academic performance outcomes in institutional examinations were time spent on personal studies (89.1%, n = 90; p = <.000); class attendance (75.2%, n = 76; p = .000); examinations revision (87.1%, n = 88; p = .001); kinds and diversity of teaching methods used (92.1%, n = 93; p = .001); nature of assessment methods used (72.3%, n = 73; p = .009); student - lecturer interactions (89.1%, n = 90; p = .000) alongside availability of appropriate learning facilities (92.1%, n = 93; p = .000) and learning resources (94.1%, n = 95; p = .001). Conclusion: Nursing students’ academic performance outcomes in institutional examinations were influenced by varied factors. Recommendation: The institutional management should ensure that available learning facilities, resources and amenities adequately support the students’ learning needs.