Performance Assessment of Different Nursing Student Categories: A Multi-Dimensional Study Using WPM Method

The study employed the Weighted Product Model (WPM) method to assess five categories of nursing students—nursing education learners, nursing trainees, future nursing professionals, student nurses, and aspiring nurses—on four critical criteria: clinical competence, academic competence, patient care, and professional and communication skills. Using a balanced assessment framework with equal weights (0.25) assigned to each criterion, the analysis highlighted notable performance differences among the groups. Nursing trainees ranked highest with a priority score of 0.64413, excelling in patient care. Aspiring nurses secured second place (0.53287), demonstrating strong professional and communication skills, while student nurses ranked third (0.52933), excelling in academic assessments. Future nursing professionals, despite ranking fourth (0.35769), displayed remarkable clinical competence but had areas for improvement in patient care. Nursing education learners ranked fifth (0.25270), demonstrating consistent yet low performance across all criteria. The weighted normalized decision matrix offered an in-depth analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each group. These findings reveal varying skill levels among nursing student groups, emphasizing the need for targeted educational interventions. The study provides valuable guidance for nursing education programs by identifying areas where student groups excel or require additional support. Such insights can inform curriculum enhancements and training strategies to better prepare students for their healthcare roles