Abstract

Across the United States, nursing schools are struggling with the issue of student retention. Competitive seats are taken by a limited number of students and as they voluntarily or involuntarily leave the program the seats are essentially wasted leading to fewer graduating students. An unaccredited rural associate of applied science (AAS) nursing program has experienced attrition rates of over 50% each semester for the past six years. Although the school enjoys high National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses [NCLEX-RN®] pass rates, the school is losing significant revenue each year. The aim of this project was to design and implement a series of evidence-based interventions focused on retaining student nurses and enhancing their educational experience in order to improve graduation rates. Over the course of three semesters, interventions were added and enhancements to the program were made. Several areas of student and faculty focused strategies were employed including enhanced tutoring, a consultation document development, identification of a student profile and assessment tool, and the addition of professional socialization seminars. In addition, faculty development modules were designed and placed on the school learning management system to increase awareness and use of the interventions. The program's outcome and opportunities for improvement are discussed as well as recommendations for future retention programs.

Author Details

Patti L. Tibble, DNP, RNCNE

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Other

Research Approach

Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice

Keywords:

Retention, Student Nurses, Nursing Education

Advisor

Linda Matheson

Second Advisor

Tyra Dean-Ousley

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Capella University

Degree Year

2015

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

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

Date of Issue

2015-03-17

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