Journal Article

Exploring the transition: Determinants influencing Australian second-level nurses’ progression to Bachelor of Nursing programs

Missen, Karen, Allen, Louise M., Fieger, Peter

2025

Overview

This study aims to reveal the relevant demographic and educational determinants in predicting a transition from being a second level to a Registered Nurse. The transition from a second to a first-level regulated nurse represents a significant professional and educational milestone in the nursing career pathway. Research on determinants predicting which students will attempt this transition is scant. Retrospective cohort study using secondary data analysis. A large cohort of 2023 graduates of the Diploma of Nursing contained in the Australian Student Outcome Survey is analysed in this study with respect to their post-study outcomes. Weighted logistic regression is employed to estimate predictive margins for several covariates. Our study reveals several demographic and educational determinants that show substantial association with enrolment in bachelor-level nursing courses. In assessing the significance of predictors for enrollment in higher education, the following factors were identified in descending order of importance: reason for study, student age, institution type where the Diploma qualification was obtained, remoteness of study location, prior experience in the health sector, Indigeneity origin, English language status and gender. The present study demonstrates that the transition from a second-level to a first-level regulated nurse is not random and that several factors contribute to this transition. Academics and policymakers may find this information useful when framing policy that has an impact on the nursing workforce. •Second-level nurse grads from dual TAFE/Uni sectors are more likely to enrol in Bachelor of Nursing•Younger second-level nurse grads are more likely to enrol in Bachelor of Nursing•Second-level nurse grads with prior health work experience are less likely to enrol in Bachelor of Nursing programs

• Publisher: Elsevier Ltd,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Academic staff / Adult / Australia / Career advancement / Career development / Career pathways / Career progression / Cohort analysis / Cohort Studies / College students / Data analysis / Departments / Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Educational Research / Employment / English language / Enrolled nurses / Enrollment / Enrollments / Feedback (Response) / Female / Graduate Surveys / Graduates / Health Needs / Higher education / Humans / Incentives / Individual Characteristics / Individualized Instruction / Labor Force Development / Language status / Male / Medical personnel / Middle Aged / National Surveys / Nurses / Nursing / Nursing education / Occupational choice / Outcomes of Education / Policy making / Predictor Variables / Probability / Qualifications / Registered Nurses / Regression (Statistics) / Regression analysis / Response rates / Response Rates (Questionnaires) / Retrospective Studies / Second level nurses / Skill Development / State Surveys / Statistical analysis / Students / Students, Nursing - psychology / Students, Nursing - statistics & numerical data / Surveys and Questionnaires / Transition / Vocational education / Workforce / Workforce planning