Paper
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
711
SUCCEED: Helping Those Who Struggle
Lillia Loriz, PhD, GNP-C, School of Nursing, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
Increased enrollment in nursing programs frequently results in bigger class sizes, creating disadvantages for some students and resulting in higher attrition rates. Other factors identified as reasons for attrition are the rigor of the nursing program, academic and personal stress, poor time management, and role confusion. These combined factors are often particularly significant for underrepresented students, those for whom English is a second language, and those who are engaged in an accelerated program of study. SUCCEED is a resource/mentoring program designed to enhance the learning experiences for these students and to ensure academic success. The resource arm of the program includes a combination of career advice, English as a Second Language support, subject area tutoring (pathophysiology, mathematics, and other specialized areas), and assistance with editing, written work, and reading comprehension. The mentoring arm of the program utilizes retired nurses or nurses working part-time and other professionals as mentors in specialized areas. These professionals also assist with tutoring, stress management, time management, and role confusion issues (e.g., why it is important to study certain subject matters in order to be a successful nurse). The combination of supplemental supports offers to students many resources that are not currently available, expanding the capacity of a nursing program to increase the number of new nurses entering the work force by increasing retention of nursing students. This presentation will provide an overview of the development, implementation and evaluation of this unique program.