Building a model for retention: Every student counts

The longstanding shortage of nurses in the U.S., intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, has prompted nursing schools to critically assess their capacity to graduate more nurses. Common barriers to expanding enrollment include faculty shortages, limited classroom space, competition for clinical sites and preceptors, and a decline in applications to prelicensure nursing programs. One promising strategy to increase the number of nursing graduates is to improve retention rates in prelicensure nursing programs. This article presents the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Student Success Champion program designed to support prelicensure BSN students at-risk of academic failure by addressing multiple factors influencing academic performance. Key components included risk factor assessment, intrusive advising, and the integration of metacognitive strategies and evidence-based teaching practices. The program mobilized both academic and non-academic resources to create a comprehensive support system. Its impact was immediate: retention rates improved, leading to a higher number of annual BSN graduates while maintaining strong NCLEX-RN pass rates.