Abstract
Nursing faculty advisors facilitate students' academic success and professional development, but their role in voluntary attrition is not well understood.
A qualitative, descriptive design was used to explore nursing faculty advisors' perceptions of the extrinsic, intrinsic, and mediating factors that influence 4-year baccalaureate students' decisions to voluntarily leave nursing programs. Rubin and Rubin's responsive interviewing was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 12 participants.
Thematic analysis revealed four intrinsic themes (preparedness, fear, maturity, and personal crisis) and four extrinsic themes (external motivations, interpersonal relationships, program barriers, and life circumstances). Mitigating factors identified were academic/support services, socialization/belonging, and mentoring. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant influence across all themes.
Nurse educators and faculty advisors can use these findings to better support students considering elective attrition and to inform strategies to reduce voluntary attrition.