This grant provided funding for professional development to help reduce nursing student attrition. Nursing faculty, preceptors, and educators from 14 school districts, community colleges, and universities were trained to implement a model that helped students succeed despite the barriers they faced. The training was delivered in a series of sessions over two years. The third year included a train-the-trainer component. Two cohorts were expected to complete the training within the first two years. A goal of the project was to achieve a five percent or greater increase in nursing student retention rates annually at all participating post-secondary institutions and to improve graduation rates. By implementing a train-the-trainer model, participants at partner institutions offered repeat coursework and training every six months to capture new faculty and nurses. The Southern Regional Area Health Education Center (AHEC) hosted an online community to facilitate continued collaboration, communication, and the sharing of best practices that could improve faculty skills and increase student retention.
