The Nursing as an Additional Language and Culture Program for Academic Success (NALC)

Abstract

<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The Nursing as an Additional Language and Culture Program for Academic Success (NALC) is an educational intervention designed to enhance student success in an Accelerated Baccalaureate School of Nursing (ABSN). The IOM report (2010) stresses the need for nurse leadership as their role in the provision of primary care; however, students who are not successful in undergraduate programs cannot apply to graduate programs. Data collected at a school of nursing in New Jersey demonstrated that the majority of student attrition occurs with minority students who scored a low baseline in preliminary testing at a greater risk of failure during the subsequent ABSN program.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> The NALC program is a nine day, pre ABSN program consisting of: lectures, discussion, online exercises, socialization via faculty and current students of the ABSN program, and workbook practice in Anatomy &amp; Physiology, Medical Terminology, Medical Math, Academic Writing and factors to success; test taking, time management and note taking. The NALC program stresses socialization into the role of nursing as a new culture and language to be integrated into the student's lifestyle. Identified mentors, study groups and ongoing support are key program features.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> A pilot study conducted in 2010 prior to the start of the semester demonstrated statistically significant improvement in the post-test scores for the pilot students (Math: t=8.28; df=18; p&lt;0.001) (Science= t=2.55; df=18; p&lt;0.02). Confidential surveys conducted with the participants rated the content and delivery highly with some students suggesting that more time be spent on specific content: anatomy and physiology.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The NALC program stresses elimination of barriers to academic success and socialization into the role of nursing with 100% of the NALC graduates successfully completing level 1 of the ABSN program. The NALC program will help increase success of ABSN students and increase the number of minorities in nursing.</p>