Developing recruitment and retention processes for nursing programmes in higher education

The ability in Higher Education to attract competent student nurses and midwives and ensure they complete and pass their degree programme are constrained by the decrease in contracted numbers and the value for money pressures of the health commissioners. The nursing and midwifery contract is currently worth around £14 million annually to Middlesex University. As the current Head of Recruitment, my professional role is focused on ensuring I meet agreed institutional targets and recruit high calibre students who will successfully stay and graduate.
My Research Project Report explores and identifies both the levels of attrition from the nursing programme as well as the reasons for interruption and non-continuation. My findings are considered along with the identification of structures, relations and good practices of support that enables students to remain and progress. The recommendations from this project will impact on the delivery of a package of bespoke bridging activities to assist the transfer of students to their chosen nursing programme at this university. The findings will also inform and shape the support provided during the crucial first year.
Deploying a mixed methods approach, this Research Project Report shows how students from FE college and schools may be better prepared for both application processes and their study on nursing programmes by the use of a package of interactive and informative activities. This earlier and more targeted preparation as well as increased support during year one, will assist the students with their socialisation to both the university and the nursing profession.