Nurse anesthesia student’s personality characteristics and academic performance: A big five personality model perspective

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this correlational research was to assess the association between the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality traits and the grade point average (GPA) of students enrolled in a nurse anesthesia program (NAP). This research was conducted to identify a more objective way to evaluate a prospective students’ personality that correlates with academic success in a NAP.

Methods: The Program Directors of students enrolled in NAPs throughout the United States were randomly contacted to assist with the data collection. The FFM of personality traits inventory and question requesting the student to self-report their GPA were then forwarded to the student.

Results: Upon completion, the data was analyzed using SPSS 22.0. The results demonstrated a significant correlation, indicating that the dimensions of personality were significantly related to GPA. The dimensions of personality accounted for 12% of the variance in GPA. An examination of individual regression coefficients revealed that the personality trait, conscientiousness, was significantly and positively related to GPA.

Conclusions: Nurse anesthesia admission committees can use this personality inventory to better guide them in selecting candidates for their program. Used in conjunction with the more traditional admissions criteria; NAPs can be better positioned to select students more objectively that will be successful in their program, hence leading to lower attrition rates.