Pedagogical challenges in nurse education - a case study focusing on the completion rate in theoretical education at a Swedish University

Background The purpose of this survey was to relate completion rate and results on national clinical final examinations to student’s admission background and examination results for nursing and medical courses. Methods The research data were based on a quantitative case study, with 286 nursing students, using statistical analysis. Results The programme’s overall completion rate was 76%, i.e. almost one out of four students did not complete the programme. The higher students’ upper secondary/high school grades, the fewer attempts they needed to pass the nursing and medical courses exams ( p < 0.001). The average examination attempts needed to pass courses in medical science was significantly greater than the number needed to pass courses in nursing science (p < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis both upper secondary/high school grades and average examination attempts needed to pass were significant predictors for national clinical final examination score. Conclusions In sum, upper secondary/high school grades and examination attempts needed, especially for courses in medical science, may be regarded as important indicators of achieved knowledge and skills which are tested in the national final examination.