Predicting student attrition using social determinants: Implications for a diverse nursing workforce

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Workforce Studies
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Student attrition impacts the nursing workforce size.
• Understanding attrition predictors is crucial for interventions.
• Maintaining an adequate nursing workforce requires program progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify demographic, academic, and social factors linked to attrition.
• Focus on attrition at the end of the first semester.
• Examine factors within an upper-division baccalaureate nursing program.

Main Methods:

• Combined administrative data (demographics, academics) with survey data (social determinants).
• Collected data from 164 students in a baccalaureate nursing program.
• Utilized a web-based survey for social determinants.

Main Results:

• Social determinants significantly correlated with attrition.
• Higher attrition rates observed in students born outside the U.S.
• Students with non-U.S. born parents, English as a second language, and diverse backgrounds showed increased attrition.

Conclusions:

• Attrition is concentrated among racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse students.
• This finding impacts the goal of a diverse nursing workforce.
• Proactive support strategies should prioritize diverse student populations.