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Admitting Health Care Professionals Other Than Registered Nurses into a Physician Assistant Program: A Comparison Based on a Pathophysiology Course
Author(s) -
McCleary Vikki L.,
Hosford Charles C.,
Aslagson Samantha M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.766.3
Subject(s) - matriculation , medicine , family medicine , nursing , medical education
In 2006, University of North Dakota Physician Assistant (PA) Program initiated a pilot project of enrolling, in addition to Registered Nurses (RN), other health care professionals (HCP). The purpose of this study is to begin assessing what effect this program change will have upon the PA pathophysiology course. Demographic data were obtained from those enrolled in the first class. Demographic and performance variables were analyzed using analysis of variance. Thirty‐one students (17 RN and 14 HCP) were admitted. Mean age upon matriculation was: RN ‐ 39.1 years; HCP ‐ 34.1 years. Mean years of clinical experience was 12.7 and 7.9 years respectively. Mean objective multiple‐choice exam scores were 77.7% (RN) and 81.6 % (HCP). Based upon exam scores only, 65% of RN and 43% HCP students would have performed below a grade of 79%. Sample data showed RNs have more years of clinical experience, are older, and have lower objective exam performance than HCP. Results from the analyses found moderate effect sizes, but due to the small group sizes power was low; therefore, results were not significant. The information obtained has stimulated an in‐depth discussion of course content, format and modes of delivery.