A formalized mentoring program for LPN-to-RN students

Abstract

Nursing programs across the United States are faced with the challenge to admit greater numbers of students and improve retention and progression rates of enrolled students. Associate degree nursing (ADN) programs produce the largest percentage of registered nurse (RN) graduates in comparison with other basic RN programs (National League for Nursing, 2006). Many states and academic institutions have begun to realize that the large pool of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is a viable source of quality ADN students. LPN students in LPN-to-RN completion programs can often complete degrees and be eligible to take state board RN examinations in half the time of a traditional ADN student. Faculty at Ohio University-Chillicothe (OU-C) examined strategies to enhance the LPN-to-RN transition program on the campus and to promote retention and progression of this unique population of nursing students in the ADN program. The faculty researchers developed the Nursing Success program after a review of the literature and with support from an internal grant from the OU-C Faculty Summer Research Fund. This article describes this formalized, faculty-driven student mentoring program designed for LPN-to-RN students at OU-C and the outcomes of the initial implementation.