Measuring Pre-Nursing Students’ Perception of Instructor Care in Anatomy and Physiology: An Instrument Design

• In Event: Assessment Innovation in Professions Education

Abstract

While numerous studies show a correlation between student-instructor rapport and student academic performance, few studies investigate the relationship between the students’ perception of instructor care and academic performance, particularly in gateway STEM courses. Anatomy and Physiology, a gateway course to nursing programs, is generally associated with high rates of unsuccessful outcomes. We developed and validated an instrument to identify attributes pre-nursing students perceive as indicators of instructor care and measure the extent to which students contribute instructors’ care to academic performance in Anatomy and Physiology. This paper describes the pilot study to ensure reliability and content and face validity of the instrument. This tool adds to existing student-instructor relationship scholarly work and supports institutional decisions aiming to impact student academic performance.

Authors

• Nicola Khalaf, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Jingshun Zhang, Florida Gulf Coast University