Enabling Success in Nursing School: Description of an Innovative Student-Led Program.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Student Support Services
• Higher Education

Background:

• High attrition rates in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs present a significant challenge.
• Peer support initiatives offer a potential solution to mitigate factors contributing to student attrition.
• Addressing the unique needs of early-career nursing students is crucial for retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel student-led peer support program designed for first- and second-year nursing students.
• To evaluate the program's impact on student academic confidence, preparedness, sense of community, and anxiety.
• To assess the feasibility of student-led interventions in nursing education.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a student-led program integrating mentorship and quarterly academic workshops.
• Workshops focused on common academic and transitional challenges faced by nursing students.
• Program evaluation involved assessing student self-reported outcomes post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Students reported significant increases in academic confidence and preparedness for nursing coursework.
• Participants experienced an enhanced sense of community within the nursing program.
• A notable decrease in self-reported anxiety related to nursing school was observed.

Conclusions:

• Student-led peer support programs are a feasible and effective strategy in nursing education.
• Such programs can foster prepared, resourceful, confident, and successful nursing students.
• Interventions that combine mentorship and targeted academic support are beneficial for BSN students.