The impact of good student selection on retention. Mary Crawford Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery

2 Context Nursing students Pre qualification BSc (hons) programme Graduate entry diploma programme Diploma of Higher Education programme Adult / child / mental health branch programmes

What is our aim? Application Successful enrolment Retention Qualification and entry to professional register 3

4 Aim of selection Select from wide pool of suitable applicants Recruit to target commissioned numbers Low attrition Employability Desire to work as nurse in long term Ability to become leading practitioner

Entry Qualifications Wide range of qualifications accepted. Sound numeracy and literacy necessary. 5

6 Which applicants do we want? Someone who : Makes sound judgements Has good interpersonal skills Has good key skills Wishes to serve the community Can undertake physically demanding work Can learn from new situations

Characteristics of good nurse (identified by patients and relatives) Confident Compassionate Knowledgeable Good clinical skills Listening skills Shows respect Looking smart (Rush & Cook 2006) 7

8 Is it possible to talent spot at application? How to spot potential How to test potential Some skills / characteristics inherent Can someone apply new learning? What can be taught?

Student population Ethnic diversity Maturity of students Financial issues for different students 9

Mature students Length of time since studying University life geared to the young Financial issues Child Care issues Part time working 10

11 Can we turn attrition into retention? Every student has own story Individual issues v programme issues More useful to focus on success rather than failure – i.e. why do they stay What can we do to keep someone who is thinking of going?

Why do students stay? Academically stronger students may problem solve more effectively Timely support from staff Personal tutor relationship Early intervention 12

13 Other predictors affecting retention Entry qualifications (McCarey et al 2006) Distance from home Early engagement Attendance

What might help? Pre- enrolment induction for mature learners Identification of at risk students Early intervention Buddy systems Case management Boot camp (Pullen et al 2009) Web based student support systems 14

Conclusion Predicting achievement is complex Focus upon achievement more helpful than attrition Early intervention may reduce attrition Select the right students to start with 15

Questions How useful is previous educational achievement? What part does college support play? What should be tested at application? Is it worth trying to keep a student who is thinking of leaving? 16