Group Counseling and Remediation: A Two-Faceted Intervention Approach to the Problem of Attrition in Nursing Education1

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of brief group therapy for underachievement, and remediation for deficiencies in basic skills, in reducing the attrition rate of nursing students. Students whose entering California Test of Achievement scores or GPA’s indicated risk of academic failure were interviewed: those with high scores (underachievers) received appropriate therapy, those with low scores and no motivational problems received remediation, and those with low’ scores plus motivational problems received both (20 hours total for each). Results indicated that a significant decrease in attrition rate can be attained by the foregoing techniques.