Growth and access increase for nursing students: a retention and progression project

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education
• Health Workforce Development

Background:

• The Growth and Access Increase for Nursing Students (GAINS) Project was the first federally-funded baccalaureate nursing program initiative.
• A key goal was to offer support and resources for successful student completion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of the GAINS Project, a federally-funded baccalaureate nursing program.
• To assess student support strategies and their impact on program completion, licensure, and employment.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a comprehensive support program including peer-tutoring, mentoring, advisement, and faculty development.
• Tracking of student program completion rates.
• Follow-up survey of graduates regarding licensing examination success and employment status.

Main Results:

• The project did not achieve its target of 70% program completion.
• A significant majority of graduates passed the nursing licensing examination on their first or second attempt.
• Over 70% of graduates are employed in medically-underserved areas, and all plan to pursue advanced degrees.

Conclusions:

• While the primary completion target was unmet, the GAINS Project demonstrated success in supporting nursing graduates' licensure and commitment to serving underserved populations.
• The project's strategies provided valuable lessons for current nursing education initiatives.
• Federally-funded support programs can positively influence the nursing workforce, particularly in critical areas.