Taking a proactive step to prevent first-year attrition in nursing students
Improving student readiness: The PREPARE program
Across prelicensure nursing programs, the trend is common and concerning: Despite careful admission decisions, first-year attrition rates are too high. The specific reasons for this are varied, but weak academic preparedness is a common thread. Even among students who get through probationary status, many are unable to get back on track to complete a nursing program.
At the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Nursing, three faculty members have seized an opportunity to potentially reverse this trend in their BSN and MSN graduate entry programs. Using a state-funded grant, the UIC team created the Prelicensure Readiness Education Program for Aspiring Registered Nurses (PREPARE), a 6-week course designed to improve the foundational knowledge of incoming nursing students.
How to use Launch to reduce first-year attrition
“We pursued this grant because we recognized that our students struggle in similar courses year after year during that first semester,” said Robin Johnson, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, Director of the MSN program at UIC. “Those who don't come in with a strong base continue to struggle throughout the program."
BSN Program Director Amy Johnson, PhD, RN, noted that early academic challenges can be deflating. “For students who do not pass a course, especially the first semester, it is defeating. Studies show that this can negatively impact a student’s confidence and mental health and increase financial burden.
“PREPARE provides students with additional tools for success and a strengthened foundational knowledge to maximize their ability to pass first semester courses and minimize the number of students needing to retake a course, thus delaying graduation,” she said.
PREPARE offers resources at no charge to students
The UIC College of Nursing prelicensure programs are offered at UIC campuses in Chicago, Springfield, and Urbana. “It is exciting to offer PREPARE across the three campuses, at no cost, so that every student has access,” Dr. Amy Johnson said. “Students invest in UIC Nursing to provide them with a high-quality education and with PREPARE we can begin our commitment to their success before their first nursing course.”
PREPARE is available to all 300+ prelicensure students admitted for the fall 2024 BSN and MSN graduate entry cohorts. Over 6 weeks, students who participate receive:
- access to Launch: Academic Readiness™️, an academic support program focused on foundational subjects such as anatomy & physiology, reading, and math
- an introduction to basic nursing concepts, provided by the UIC faculty
- individualized remediation
- individualized student success plan and linkage to resources at the end of the program.
PREPARE is funded by a $148,000 grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education. UIC BSN Program Director Amy Johnson, PhD, RN, led the grant application process, and Dr. Robin Johnson and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Liz Aquino, PhD, RN, assisted her.
“Recognizing the diverse educational backgrounds of our students, our aim is to ensure equitable opportunities for success," Dr. Aquino said. "This program seeks to bridge any gaps by employing assessments and thorough curriculum preparation. Our objective is to empower students with a robust foundation prior to embarking on their nursing journey."
Dr. Robin Johnson, Dr. Amy Johnson, and Dr. Aquino will evaluate the effectiveness of PREPARE through various performance indicators, including exam pass rates and retention statistics.
The program is optional for all prelicensure students in 2024 because it is not currently in the curriculum. If the data demonstrates the effectiveness of PREPARE on retention and NCLEX pass rates, UIC may consider adding it as a requirement, the faculty said.
To meet individual student needs, the PREPARE course takes a tailored approach to learning
One of the key benefits of PREPARE is the personalized learning experience it delivers. By utilizing Launch: Academic Readiness and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) — solutions developed by ATI — faculty members can better understand each student's strengths and weaknesses and plan follow-up strategies that will increase their likelihood of success.
These student insights are developed in a few ways: TEAS results, the ATI Educator’s work with each student during the Launch portion of the program, and the structured, personalized resources and support provided by the UIC faculty.
"We will be able to craft individualized student success plans in data collected through the TEAS and Launch. This approach will allow us to assess each student’s starting point and provide tailored support from the very beginning," Dr. Aquino said.
During the 6 weeks of the PREPARE program, each student will participate in the virtually delivered Launch: Nursing Academic Readiness program, which provides:
- one-on-one guidance from an ATI Educator, who creates a customized study plan based on the student’s TEAS results
- quizzes, tutorials, and assignments that meet the student’s personal learning style
- learning content covering reading, math, science, and English; anatomy and physiology; study skills; and test-taking strategies
- multimedia content delivery that helps cement knowledge in key concepts
- an end-of-program assessment to determine comprehension.
The UIC faculty will follow students closely as they progress through the Launch program and provide additional support and resources to ensure that students are comfortable and making adequate process.
Based on any individual needs identified, students may be connected with UIC Student Success Coordinators, tutoring services, the Urban Health Program, the Transition Program, and the Writing Center.
As the PREPARE curriculum addresses the core academic areas that are critical for nursing students, it will have the additional important result of increased confidence.
"We understand from the literature that certain key factors, such as a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, and other science-intensive courses, significantly influence student success in the program," Dr. Robin Johnson said.
“But it's important to also acknowledge the confidence that can be built in the first semester. When a student starts off struggling, it impacts their ability to complete the program. We're hoping that PREPARE will build their confidence."
Like preventive healthcare, PREPARE takes a proactive approach to nursing education
The approach UIC faculty are taking with PREPARE aligns with the preventive care philosophy central to quality healthcare. By preparing students more thoroughly before they enter the rigor of a nursing program, UIC is not only setting them up for academic success but also ensuring they are well-equipped for their future careers.
“We are very optimistic that this is going to help the students,” Dr. Robin Johnson said.
“It's a proactive approach versus a reactive approach. It is helping them prepare as they come into the program — much like primary preventive care. That's what we do in nursing, and that's what we hope these students will be doing when they enter the healthcare workforce.”
Launch: Nursing Academic Readiness can improve first-year performance