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Learning Objective #1: identify issues involved in the retention of accelerated or second-entry nursing students.

Learning Objective #2: understand the formal and informal strategies used by one university to create an inclusive environment for vulnerable and marginalized students.

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This presentation describes the formal and informal strategies undertaken to retain vulnerable and marginalized students in an accelerated or second-entry nursing program in a large Canadian university. Our students are diverse, reflecting the great cultural and social diversity of our large urban center. Our vulnerable students include a variety of learners. They may be mature students with young families, older students returning to school after a long absence, recent newcomers to Canada, ESL students or science majors without experience in writing essays. The students may also suffer from marginalization, particularly in clinical practicum, because of race or ethnic identity, sexuality, English language facility or learning challenge or dis/ability. While little is known overall about the success of second-entry programs since they are relatively new, we have a low attrition rate and a success rate of 98% in the registration exams, far surpassing the traditional nursing programs in our province. This presentation will also look at the research evidence to support inclusive strategies and environments for the retention of students. From the literature, we know that vulnerable students are less likely to succeed and that students who perceive that the faculty care about them, do better in their studies. Over the last few years, we have developed several strategies to support our students. These strategies include enhancing the quality of the student experience, early identification of students experiencing difficulty, instrumental support and referrals for finances, day-care and housing, counseling to deal with unrealistic expectations, and most recently the creation of an Ombudsperson, a confidential advocate who is not a faculty teacher. However, key to student retention success has been faculty and student peer mentorship.