Abstract
Background: Nurse education is adapting to an evolving healthcare landscape marked by technological advances, resource constraints, and shifting patient demographics (1) Absenteeism among nursing students in classroom and clinical settings poses significant challenges to academic performance, clinical competency, and program completion (2,3). Effective leadership and advances in education are essential to identify underlying causes and implement strategies that foster students’ engagement to improve their learning outcomes thus preparing a competent healthcare workforce (4).
Aim: This scoping review aimed to map the literature on absenteeism among undergraduate nursing students, highlighting leadership and advances in education. Objectives included: (a) identifying factors contributing to absenteeism; (b) examining its academic, clinical, and professional impacts; and (c) exploring leadership-driven, evidence-informed strategies to mitigate absenteeism.
Methods: Using the scoping review methodology (4), a comprehensive literature search was conducted across CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using keywords including "nursing students," "absenteeism," "classroom attendance," and "clinical placement." Studies published in English between 2000 and 2024 were considered. Following title, abstract, and full-text screening, relevant studies were thematically analysed. Findings were categorised into four primary themes with subthemes.
Results: Twenty-one quantitative, five qualitative and one review were included. Factors contributing to absenteeism were categorised as Teaching and Academic Factors, Personal and Health Factors, Logistical and Institutional Factors, and Social and Cultural Factors. Absenteeism was linked to lower academic performance and clinical competency. Leadership-driven mitigation strategies reflecting advances in education fell into five categories: academic and curriculum support; student engagement and motivation; well-being and support services; governance and policy enforcement; and community, clinical, and collaborative engagement.
Conclusion: Addressing absenteeism requires proactive educational leadership and advances in education that foster accountability, student support, and engagement. Implementing multi-level, leadership-guided strategies can improve attendance, academic success, and clinical preparedness.
Notes
Additional references included in attached slide deck.
References:
1. Notarnicola I, Dervishi A, Duka B, Grosha E, Gioiello G, Carrodano S, Rocco G, Stievano A. A systematic review of nursing competencies: addressing the challenges of evolving healthcare systems and demographic changes. Nurs Rep. 2025;15(2):56.
2. Ashipala DO, Kalyangu J, Shikulo PI, Lifalaza A. Factors associated with absenteeism in clinical areas among undergraduate nursing students at the University of Namibia. J Namib Stud Hist Polit Cult. 2023;34:253-67.
3. Kumar AK, Jayan A, Sabu A, Benny B, Ruby S, Jawadagi S. Factors influencing absenteeism among nursing students in selected nursing colleges at Mangalore. Neuro Quantology. 2022;20(16):330-5.
4. Negm LMMA, Mersal FA, Fawzy MS, Rajennal AT, Alanazi RS, Alanazi LO. Challenges of nursing students during clinical training: a nursing perspective. AIMS Public Health. 2024;11(2):379.
5. Khalil H, Campbell F, Danial K, Pollock D, Munn Z, Welsh V, Saran A, Hoppe D, Tricco AC. Advancing the methodology of mapping reviews: a scoping review. Res Synth Methods. 2024 May;15(3):384-97.
Sigma Membership
Xi Omicron at-Large
Lead Author Affiliation
University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Academic-Clinical Partnership, Faculty Development, Continuing Education, Undergraduate Nursing Students, Absenteeism
Recommended Citation
Fernandez, Ritin Santiago and Kata, Eleni, "Innovations in Educational Leadership to Improve Nursing Student Attendance and Engagement" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 24.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/24
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-22
Innovations in Educational Leadership to Improve Nursing Student Attendance and Engagement
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Nurse education is adapting to an evolving healthcare landscape marked by technological advances, resource constraints, and shifting patient demographics (1) Absenteeism among nursing students in classroom and clinical settings poses significant challenges to academic performance, clinical competency, and program completion (2,3). Effective leadership and advances in education are essential to identify underlying causes and implement strategies that foster students’ engagement to improve their learning outcomes thus preparing a competent healthcare workforce (4).
Aim: This scoping review aimed to map the literature on absenteeism among undergraduate nursing students, highlighting leadership and advances in education. Objectives included: (a) identifying factors contributing to absenteeism; (b) examining its academic, clinical, and professional impacts; and (c) exploring leadership-driven, evidence-informed strategies to mitigate absenteeism.
Methods: Using the scoping review methodology (4), a comprehensive literature search was conducted across CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using keywords including "nursing students," "absenteeism," "classroom attendance," and "clinical placement." Studies published in English between 2000 and 2024 were considered. Following title, abstract, and full-text screening, relevant studies were thematically analysed. Findings were categorised into four primary themes with subthemes.
Results: Twenty-one quantitative, five qualitative and one review were included. Factors contributing to absenteeism were categorised as Teaching and Academic Factors, Personal and Health Factors, Logistical and Institutional Factors, and Social and Cultural Factors. Absenteeism was linked to lower academic performance and clinical competency. Leadership-driven mitigation strategies reflecting advances in education fell into five categories: academic and curriculum support; student engagement and motivation; well-being and support services; governance and policy enforcement; and community, clinical, and collaborative engagement.
Conclusion: Addressing absenteeism requires proactive educational leadership and advances in education that foster accountability, student support, and engagement. Implementing multi-level, leadership-guided strategies can improve attendance, academic success, and clinical preparedness.
Description
Focus: Academic
Status: Complete Work/Project
Absenteeism among nursing students challenges academic performance and clinical competency. This scoping review mapped factors contributing to absenteeism, teaching, personal, logistical, and social and explored leadership-driven strategies reflecting advances in education, including curriculum support, engagement, well-being services, policy enforcement, and collaborative initiatives. Multi-level approaches can enhance attendance, learning outcomes, and clinical preparedness.