The influencing factors of absenteeism among nursing students

Abstract

The absence of nursing students from classrooms and clinical has a negative impact on their performance and prolongs the length of their studying. The aim of this study is to identify the influencing factors of absenteeism among nursing students at Minia University. This study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing at Minia University, and Minia University Hospitals. The sample of students that participated in the study represented all academic levels as follows: first level 49/370, second level 49/292, third level 52/248, and fourth level 50/220. Data were collected with the use of a self-administered questionnaire. This study revealed that influencing factors of absenteeism among the studied nursing students indicated that the highest mean scores were associated with teaching factors, followed by assessment factor where means scores were (18.3 ± 4.5, and 17.1 ± 5.6, respectively). Also, the lowest mean score reported was associated with social problems (mean = 8.9 ± 3.2). This study concluded that the most common contributory factors in student absenteeism were related to teaching factors including a shortage of staff in the clinical area, and lack of understanding of the lecture content. 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.