Predictors of Attrition among Graduates of an Associate Degree Nursing Program. AIR Forum 1982 Paper.

Predictors of attrition from the nursing profession among graduates of an associate degree nursing program at Lakeland Community College, Ohio, were investigated during 1970-1979, based on an earlier study that identified predictors of attrition from the degree program. Two groups were evaluated: 91 nursing graduates for whom both file record and questionnaire data were available; and 228 graduates for whom only questionnaire data were available. Based on student interviews and a literature review, a 32-item questionnaire was constructed and pretested, and a version for graduates of the nursing program was developed. Based on analysis of file records, it was found that students who persisted and graduated had higher composite scores on the National League for Nursing examination, higher high school grade point averages, were more likely not to have come to the nursing program directly from high school, and were older than nonpersisters. In contrast, when looking at graduates for whom there were both a questionnaire and a file record, nursing graduates who stay in the profession could be distinguished from those who leave only on the basis of age. Graduates who entered the nursing program at an older age were more likely to stay in the profession after graduating. In addition, those individuals who perceived themselves as having a high degree of initiative tended to complete the nursing program and stay in the profession. No other major predictors of attrition from the college's nursing program appeared to be good predictors of attrition from the nursing profession. It is suggested that nurses with less realistic visions of their health care role do not remain in the profession. (SW)