Nontraditional students' perceptions of variables influencing retention: a multisite study.

Guided by the Nursing Undergraduate Retention and Success model, the purpose of this multisite study was to gain further insight into students' perceptions concerning factors that restricted or supported retention. Nontraditional students (n = 1,156) completed the Student Perception Appraisal--Revised. Factor analysis yielded 5 factors: environmental factors, institutional interaction and integration factors, personal academic factors, college academic facilities, and friend support. Demographic and student characteristics were examined in relation to student perceptions. Implications are discussed.