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Retention of Nursing Students: An Integrative Review
Heather C Smith-Wacholz1, Julia P Wetmore, Cheryl Conway
1About the Authors Heather C. Smith-Wacholz, MSN, CCRN-CMC, CNRN, is a clinical nurse educator, Union General Hospital, Blairsville, Georgia. Julia P. Wetmore, PhD, CPNP-PC, is a forensic examiner, Children's Advocacy and Protection Center of Catawba, Conover, North Carolina. Cheryl Conway, MSN, RN, NE-BC, is a quality consultant, Asheville, North Carolina. Melanie McCarley, MSN, RN, is a former simulation coordinator for health professions programs, Dalton, Georgia. For more information, contact Ms. Smith-Wacholz at heatherwacholz@uniongeneral.org.
Aim:
The purpose of this integrative review is to identify ways to decrease student attrition in schools of nursing.
Background:
Many nursing students have anxiety, lack finances, face an absence of faculty or peer support, and have decreased overall satisfaction with the realities of nursing. This integrative review demonstrates that a significant percentage of nursing students leave school before completing their program.
Method:
Manuscripts were selected for this study to evaluate effective interventions to increase retention rates for first-year nursing students. Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria.
Results:
Interventions to decrease attrition include effective teaching methods and styles; utilization of an advisor, clinical coach, or mentor; stress reduction; faculty support; students' background; and perceptions of nursing.
Conclusion:
Educators have the option of using several supportive measures to decrease attrition in nursing programs.
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