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Sowing the Seeds of SuccessInstitutionalizing a Successful
Retention Effort
Carolyn Bortz, MSN,RN Dean, Allied Health and Science Division
Margery M. Lafferty, BSN, RNNursing Support Specialist
Northampton Community College Bethlehem, PA
Executive Decree
“It is not enough to get our students through the door, we must make sure they succeed
once they have entered.”
Dr. Arthur Scott, PresidentNorthampton Community
College
Northampton Community College Nursing ProgramBethlehem, PA
Associate Degree in Applied Science - RN
Professional Certificate in Practical Nursing
Nursing faculty – 7 FT, 50 PT
Total students = 225
2004 – Our issue was….
25-30% attrition in the program
Net Loss = 8-10 students per cohort
What can be done to help retain these students?
Dorothy Rider Pool Healthcare Trust
The Recruitment and Retention of Nursing Students
at Northampton Community College
2004-2010
$227,000.00
2 funding cycles – 3 years each
Our goals became….
Identify academically at risk students
Create a program that promotes academicsuccess supported by a full time support
specialist
Establish a pedagogically harmoniousenvironment
Reduce attrition to less than 10%
Outcome Measures
Course & Program retention levels
Number of student contacts
Assess utilization of services
Assess and track academic performance
FINDING YOURSELF A GOOD CUP OF COFFEENursing Support Services at Northampton
Community College
Rapid Math Review
Sampling of Nursing Program Interventions
Individual Academic PlansStudent Timeline
Study Skills Workshop/OrganizationRapid Math Review
TutoringStrategies to Maximize Your Test
PerformanceTechnical Writing SeminarsOn Line Blackboard Postings
Conversation Circles
What barrier do you think inhibits students from seeking out academic support programs/services?
1. Not enough time2. Other
responsibilities conflict
3. Embarrassment4. Denial that they
need help/support5. Don’t see the value
Nurturing an Ideal Habitat
AGGRESSIVE PURSUITAPPEAL
AVAILABILITYACCESSIBILITY
and APPROACHABILITY
of Nursing Support Services
Germinating Success
Introduction to NursingNURS 101
Spring 2011 2.8% attrition in N101
(n=35)
Spring 2011 Student Survey
93% consistently used Nursing Support Services
92% rated Nursing Support Services good to excellent with supportive , enthusiastic, and positive comments
94% found the initial Individual Academic Meeting most helpful and informative
5,600 hits in 45 days!
January 1-February 14, 2012
On lineProgram Specific Blackboard
Interventions
Attrition Rates for N101
FA04 FA06 SP07 FA07 SP08 FA08 SP09 FA09 SP10 FA10 SP11 FA11Attrition Rate 30% 6% 5% 6% 3% 8% 9% 11% 4% 10% 2% 5%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
PRIOR TO INTERVENTION
FOUR WITHDRAWS (TWO INTO PN PROGRAM) AND ONE ACADEMIC FAILURE
Our challenge became…
…how can we institutionalize the success strategies demonstrated in this program to benefit more
students at NCC?
…what did we learn that could be used to support student success
among the broader student body?
Academic support services on our campus are:
1. targeted to large disparate groups of students
2. focused on smaller groups with specific needs
3. a blend of both of the above
4. I don’t know how I would classify our approach
Study Skills Marathon
Science Success Strategies
Developmental Education
Committee’s Toolbox
Sowing the seeds…
Success was leveraged – result NSF Grant Proposal funding
for a STEM Student Success Specialist
Collaboration on retention strategies between specialists
Sowing the seeds…
Connect learning interventions with other disciplines (Vet Tech
pharmacology)
Connect with other campus groups/committees working on
retention efforts
Collaborate with other disciplinary faculty to create learning objects
As a result of the STEM Student Success Specialist role….
33%of Smart Scholars surveyed expect to complete their academic program sooner than originally anticipated
100% of Smart Scholars surveyed would recommend the program to
others
How would you describe retention efforts on your campus?
1. Well coordinated2. Pockets of activities
loosely connected3. Focused on specific
cohorts of students4. Isolated programs,
not coordinated
If you have been using retention strategies, how successful would you say they have been?
1. Very successful2. Modestly successful3. Not very successful
– We need help!4. Just shy of a failed
attempt
From a campus planning perspective, what is the most prominent barrier to enhancing retention efforts?
1. Cost 2. Personnel3. Ability to engage
students4. Administrative
oversight of such work5. Gaining administrative
buy-in
Conversation Circle Time
Based on what you have heard thus far and what your campus efforts are around retention, what can you take back to share with colleagues or what successes have you had that are worth sharing with your group?
What do you think is the key to creating a successful student support
program?
• Appeal of programs• Staff interpersonal skills• Aggressive pursuit of students• Consistent presence and
outreach
What We Have Learned
Success in any endeavor does not happen by accident.
Rather it’s the result of deliberate decisions, conscious effort and
immense persistence….all directed at specific goals.”
G. R. Blair
Have you found this presentation helpful?
1. Yes2. No
Contact Information
Carolyn Bortz, MSNDean of Allied Health and Sciences
Margery M Lafferty, BSN,RNNursing Support Specialist
In appreciation…Innovations Conference
2012
Philadelphia, PAMarch 4-7, 2012
