Total learning environment and the implications for rural student nurse retention

Abstract

Rural areas are experiencing shortages in nurses therefore attrition is a significant factor in planning to meet students' needs. The way forward is for universities to react to the changes in the student cohorts and respond appropriately. A review of the literature identifies that student cohorts are becoming more diverse and universities need to tailor learning resources to deal with diversity and learning needs. The factors identified impact on course development and delivery of the content to students. Increasing emphasis is being placed on student satisfaction and retention with a recognised need to increase focus on the students' perspective of services required and to foster a feeling of welcoming and 'fitting in' to the university community. Participants, methods and resultsUniversity student cohorts are changing from the 'traditional' student cohort. 1 This is never more evident than at a rural campus where the student nursing cohort encompasses first generation students and mature aged women from rural and remote backgrounds. The diversity of students results in a wide range of abilities and attributes. 2 This causes a problem in that within student groups there are differing levels of 'preparedness'. These learners are identified as typically the first of their family to go to university, often a relatively low socioeconomic status, from farming families and mature aged women who maintain multiple roles comprising family responsibilities, work and student role. 3,4 Smaller and newer regional campuses have a greater number of 'at risk' learners and 'second chance learners where the first chance was hardly a chance at all'. 5 Whatever the challenges, there are students in these rural regional centres who want to learn and succeed. The learning experience may be very different to their metropolitan counterparts because of class sizes, life experiences and the diversity of the cohort. 6 On the positive side for the smaller and newer campuses, is the occurrence of smaller class sizes as being a factor in overcoming problems of these cohorts. Staff often have a high level of enthusiasm and greater degree of empathy for the student role and their problems. It has been observed that students on the smaller and newer campuses often perform comparatively better than their counterparts on the main campuses and that non-metropolitan campuses offer a supportive community in which the student can undergo personal development. 5 There is evidence that students who attend rural campuses and/or have clinical placements in rural settings are likely to accept registered nurse positions in these areas. 7 Higher education institutions often have a 'sink or swim' attitude. 8 This is evidenced in the mindset that students who are not successful or have difficulties in their academic achievements are not intellectually able or are not 'prepared' for university. This then can impact on attrition and retention rates. There is a need for a student to adapt quickly to a new environment. Universities need to know their cohorts...

Simulation in Clinical Nursing Education

“…By choosing rare or unusual examples or scenarios, a student becomes acquainted with a wide range of interventions and skills, thus enhancing the effectiveness of education ( 23 ). In a research by Croxon et al ( 24 ) the students made positive comments and strongly argued that simulation and the clinical laboratory procedure have prepared them for what they will later face in the hospital.…”

Enhancing aspects of the higher education student experience

“…The infrastructure of student services and degree of support can contribute to making the difference between retention and withdrawal (Croxon & Maginnis, 2006;Kantanis, 2000;Lawrence, 2003).…”

Mixed-Methods Analysis of Supports and Barriers for Rural College Students

“…Faculty focus group members indicated that the lack of nighttime and weekend infrastructure encouraged students to transfer, especially those who were out-of-state students. Similar to past findings (Croxon & Maginnis, 2006), participants desired that administration create university infrastructure that assists rural college students and subgroups (e.g., low socioeconomic status). These results are in line with research indicating the importance of student satisfaction with their college experiences (Webber, Krylow, & Zhang, 2013).…”