Vocational nursing programs in Appalachia: The Impact of Technology on Traditional and Non-Traditional Students Experiences

This current investigation examines the effects of technology on the success of traditional and non-traditional, post-secondary students in nursing programs in an Appalachian vocational setting. A survey was developed for use in Columbiana County, Ohio, a designated Appalachian area at a county vocational school with several programs in the nursing field. The survey was used to measure technology self-efficacy, perceptions about the impact of technology on the educational experience, and preparation for future employment. The survey was completed by 205 participants, both traditional and non-traditional in age for comparison. Findings from this study indicate that non-traditional students face more barriers to learning with the use of technology than the traditional set of students. With an ever-changing economy and job market, non-traditional students will continue to be a group that faces different barriers and challenges than others in different age brackets.