Predictors of nursing student satisfaction as a key quality indicator of tertiary students' education experience: An integrative review

Abstract

Introduction: Student satisfaction is an important quality indicator in higher education, impacting student retention and institutional rankings. Healthcare education literature lacks factors related to student satisfaction. Reporting these elements might assist educators in curriculum design that helps to retain students. This is imperative for nursing education with the current global need for graduates.

Objectives: To explore, synthesize and report available evidence on conceptual elements underlying the formation of higher education students' satisfaction, with a focus on nursing education.

Design: Integrative review.

Data sources: Six databases were searched for learner experiences of satisfaction: MEDLINE, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Complete, ERIC, APA PsychArticles, PsychInfo. Articles were screened, assessed for quality and 12 nursing student studies and 10 conceptual studies of mixed student cohorts were reviewed.

Review methods: Peer-reviewed literature in English during the period 2012 to 2022 was reviewed using methods documented for an integrative review.

Results: Twenty-two included studies were mostly quasi-experimental, based on statistical analysis of higher education student surveys. Antecedent elements affecting satisfaction in mixed student cohorts were Service Quality, Institutional Image and perceived Value. These studies identified up to seven dimensions underlying student satisfaction. Nursing studies were focused on the quality of service delivery related to teaching and confirmed five elements: Faculty, Learning environment, Curriculum, Social interaction and Development. Conceptual studies also reported 'consequent' elements, high satisfaction resulting in positive student behavioural intent, loyalty and positive word of mouth. The details of antecedent and consequent elements that underlie student satisfaction are described.

Conclusion: Conceptual studies of mixed student cohorts identified nine elements that inform student satisfaction with learning experiences. Nursing student studies tested fewer variables and confirmed up to five elements forming student satisfaction. There is a need to investigate the impact of additional key elements in nursing students - perceptions of value, institutional image and administrative support.

Keywords: Integrative review; Qualitative; Quantitative; Satisfaction; Undergraduate nursing education; Valued learning.