Analysis of the baccalaureate performances of nursing candidates at the Timişoara, Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest Universities

Abstract

Introduction: The substantial technological developments in medicine and nursing may warrant research to improve the scientific curriculum during high school. The aim of this study was to analyse the high school baccalaureate degrees of students accepted to study nursing at the Timişoara (UMFT), Cluj-Napoca (UMFC) and Bucharest (UMFB) Universities. Materials and methods: Nursing students accepted by the 3 universities during 2018 (UMFT, 100, UMFC, 100 and UMFB, 96) were matched (69, 64 and 54) against the national baccalaureate registry. Most candidates were females (89%) and were coming primarily from Timis (28), Cluj (22), and Hunedoara counties (19) or Bucharest (17). Results: The proportion of mathematics degrees was higher for candidates accepted by UMFB and UMFC (83% vs 77% vs 51%, p=0.0002). Anatomy was the optional degree for most candidates at UMFC and UMFB (both 69%), while candidates from UMFT had either geography (46%) or anatomy (38%) as optional degrees. Most candidates had advanced digital competencies or were experimented (combined 54% - 64%). Conclusion: The existing data does not allow us to fully analyse the medical and technological competencies learned during high-school. There are many nurse candidates at UMFT, which have received a baccalaureate degree in geography, but most candidates at UMFC and UMFB have the optional degree in anatomy. Future analysis could compare this group with candidates who have failed the entry exams or with candidates from other health faculties.