Factors that influence perceived disengagement in anatomy and physiology within undergraduate nursing

Effectively engaging nursing students in the study of Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) remains an ongoing challenge for educators. The aim of this study was to investigate factors that influence nursing students’ disengagement with A\&P. A pragmatic mixed-methods, quantitative dominant approach was used. Students and educators mutually agreed that paid work and amount of course material were perceived causes for student disengagement and agreed that course learning resources were not a contributing disengagement factor. Paid work commitments appeared to be a disengagement factor independent of each demographic covariate. Lack of motivation scored highest in the youngest age group (17-24 yrs.), family commitments scored highest in the non-native English speakers, and limited prior knowledge of the subject area was significantly higher for students without previous biological knowledge. Students and educators were generally in agreement regarding their perceptions of factors that negatively influence student disengagement with A&P courses.