Factors for attrition in an accelerated baccalaureate nursing program

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of accelerated baccalaureate nursing programs. However, the body of nursing knowledge about students who choose this career path is not well developed. This descriptive study from one midwestern school of nursing explores the factors that predict attrition among this student population. Effective interventions to support and retain these students are described. The retention of accelerated-degree students may provide one solution to addressing the nurse shortage, as graduates of these programs move into the workforce at a more rapid rate than their traditional counterparts. This article proposes a variety of potential ways to address the issue of rising attrition rates in accelerated baccalaureate nursing programs.