Sunday, November 2, 2003: 1:45 PM-3:00 PM | |||
Developing and Implementing a Program That Enhances the Retention of Diverse Nursing Students Using Web-Based Courseware | |||
| Learning Objective #1: Describe factors associated with the disparity of graduation rates and NCLEX success among diverse baccalaureate-nursing students, and tools for identifying and ameliorating the influence of the factors on academic success | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Describe administrative and programmatic strategies for implementing a retention program using the web-based Nursing Success Program courseware, to enhance retention of diverse nursing students and thus enhance the diversity and cultural sensitivity of the registered nurse workforce | |||
| The nursing shortage and the culturally diverse American population require retention of bright and committed nursing students of diverse heritage. However, baccalaureate nursing students who are members of minority groups and students for whom English is a second language are at greater risk for attrition from nursing programs than other students. Implementation of the Nursing Success Program (NSP) resulted in retention of diverse students at approximately the same rate as majority students. Comparing the graduation rate, by ethnicity, of 56 students admitted in the spring of 1999, prior to the NSP, with the aggregate retention rate of 74 students admitted to the NSP from Fall 2000 to Spring 2002, there are major differences. For example, only 58% of black students in the former group graduated while early indicators are that 86% of black students admitted to NSP are retained. In the fall of 2002 NSP was selected by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to receive the Texas Higher Education Star Award. The award recognizes exceptional contributions towards one or more of the goals of ‘Closing the Gaps,’ a state wide initiative to have minority students participate in higher education at rates that reflect their presence in the population. To ensure the effectiveness of retention programs in identifying at-risk students, accurate predictors are required. Although numerous predictors of retention have been studied, consistent predictor variables have not been established. A literature review did not disclose any studies of reading comprehension as a predictor of retention of nursing students, however faculty observations suggested this might be an effective indicator. The purpose of this symposium is to prepare others to implement the NSP program using online courseware, as well as to present research findings that support use of the NET reading comprehension score as a tool for determining admission to NSP. | |||
| Organizer: | Lene Symes, PhD, RN | ||
| Identifying Factors that Account for Disparity of Graduation Rates Kathryn Tart, EdD, Lucille Travis, PhD, RN, CNA, Carolyn Adamson, PhD | |||
| Retaining Culturally and Ethnically Diverse Students: Administrative Issues and Program Strategies Lucille Travis, PhD, RN, CNA, Lene Symes, PhD, RN | |||
| Using Web-Based Courseware as the Basis for Developing a Program for Retaining Diverse Nursing Students Lene Symes, PhD, RN | |||
37th Biennial Convention - Clinical Sessions
Sigma Theta Tau International