Student retention: policies and services to enhance persistence to graduation

Nurse educators are concerned about retaining students as the nursing shortage plagues the healthcare system. The authors describe the academic services and policies of a prototype retention program to provide support to all nursing students in a baccalaureate program. Central to the program is the integration of students into the life of the institution. Services include orientation, tutoring, advisement, progress monitoring, achievement awards, and stress management. Policies relate to readmissions, individual study, and course repetition.