What is your school's dropout rate?

Katalina511 · Sep 8, 2011

My class started with 24 students (very small program) and we will be graduating with 22. One student who dropped out also worked full time and had a child, so just couldn't do the scheduling, etc.

Despareux · Sep 8, 2011

I think our school does a fine job at preventing students from dropping out. We need 60 credit hours before we can apply to their nursing program; with that kind of investment, it's unlikely most are willing to drop. I do believe that one person, out of five classes (or 200 students) dropped out mid-quarter.

I have all student loans, so there is no way I would ever drop out.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2011

I am in my second Term and I think we started with 72 and now have 80 lol. I think we did lose 1 student 1st semester but we gained 9 from the class ahead of us that had failed Term 2.

allnurses Guide · Sep 8, 2011

We started with 48. Lost one to a spouse's move. Gained two who had other circumstances (pregnancy etc) that made them miss a semester.

No drop outs. No flunk outs. 98% pass rate on NCLEX on first try within 90 days of graduation. Very hard to get in at my school and it shows. It is academically based.

laski · Sep 9, 2011

The program I applied to accepted about 60 and have about half who actually complete the program. While there are some who fail or drop out of the program, many leave and return later due to family circumstances. The program draws a lot of second-career people with families, so many are dealing with some extenuating circumstances before they even begin. They have a huge application pool, but the requirements are rather demanding and only becoming more challenging (which I think is a good thing!). Their NCLEX pass rate is excellent as is their placement rates for new grads.

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Sep 9, 2011

I would almost venture to say the majority failed out rather than dropped out. We started with 18 and 14 graduated. Four failed out during the program. Nursing school is difficult. However, one thing that you must understand is that a school’s accreditation with the BON and with NLNAC and CCNE is heavily weighed on first-time pass rates. That means the percentage of students who graduated from the school’s program who passed NCLEX the first time. One of the persons who failed technically didn’t fail. She was skimming by with a 73% for several courses. The dean called her to the office and told her that she must have a minimum of 80% in each of her courses next term or else she will be removed from the program. After that term, she was never seen or heard of again.

The other thing is the ATI exams. If we did not meet certain proficiency levels, we were dismissed. Our school’s pass rate when I started was 94%. The school earned a 100% pass rate for this year. They are very serious about that rate!

MedChica · Sep 9, 2011

Yeah, we went from 32 to somewhere in the 20's.

...but, gained 2 from the class ahead.

The ATI proctor may push some back as well.

Our passrate is 90.48%.

I'm not into my classmates business like that...but, as someone else stated, our school is mostly second-degree, military, second career types...and folks looking to fast-track the long wait at the CC.

We may have had a failout or dropout but, many have families, so...it's difficult for them to balance school with work and family.

allnurses Guide · Sep 9, 2011

Most of ours have families too and are second career students. The vast majority are in their 30s. We are also NLNAC certified - the only school in the entire state of Texas to be.

I just really reject having families and being second career as a reason to fail or drop out. Too many people do manage to juggle it for that to be a valid excuse. I think it is more a matter of what one is prepared to do to make it and whether one did their homework and took the requirements of it seriously when applying. I see too many here who complain about the amount of time/effort nursing school takes. It isn't as if that is some big hidden secret nobody talks about.

laski · Sep 9, 2011

Not.done.yet. I see your point. This is why I am glad to see my school raise the requirements to begin the program. I think it gives those wanting to go into nursing a better idea of the commitment required. I believe a lot of people are truly misinformed as to what the demands will be.

I actually delayed entering the program, after being accepted this fall, due to my children. However, I still believe unexpected situations arise that prevent people from completing coursework and sometimes family plays a vital role. One family member's husband lost his job, requiring her to go back to work full time. Another friend's daughter was recently diagnosed with leukemia, which of course required a complete life change for the family as their daughter goes through treatment. She was just about to enter her second year of nursing. If all goes well, she'll pick up where she left off. The simple fact is we just don't always know what happens in the lives of others. Family or not, sometimes life just happens . . .

Like I said, for me, I just knew that balancing it all could mean trouble. Thankfully, I had an idea of what I was getting into before I started.

tokyoROSE, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2011

I am in a BSN program that is very competitive in the state. We started with a class of 60, and have probably lost between 5-10 people. However, we've always gained students back so we are still a full class. (Students repeating a class, or took a break.)

allnurses Guide · Sep 9, 2011

Yes, those two situations are definitely deal breakers, the leukemia one more than the job one to be honest. I had a child with leukemia and school would be impossible in that situation.

There were just too many here saying that family/second career were the reason for dropping out or failing. That may affect a few people but not as many as were being indicated. It skews reality for those who may be contemplating doing this but have children or have to work through school.