Thompson Francis, Hodge Gary, Edge Danielle, Howes Sarah, Jamison Caroline, Fisher Margaret, Jones Aled
School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Plymouth, PL4 6AB, Devon, United Kingdom.
School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Plymouth, PL4 6AB, Devon, United Kingdom.
Nurse Educ Today. 2025 Feb;145:106503. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106503. Epub 2024 Nov 20.
The World Health Organization estimates a global shortage of 4.5 million nurses and 0.31 million midwives by 2030, which presents a significant problem for workforce planning. Despite aspirational United Kingdom (UK) government policy targets and ongoing efforts, the number of nursing and midwifery vacancies continues to increase. One contributing factor is student nurse and midwife attrition.
To identify risk factors that contribute to nursing and midwifery students interrupting or withdrawing from pre-registration programmes.
Sequential explanatory mixed-methods design.
A University School of Nursing and Midwifery in the Southwest of England.
534 pre-registration nursing and midwifery student survey respondents and 8 focus group participants.
Students' perspectives of attrition risk factors were evaluated using a Likert scale with free text questions used to capture additional factors affecting interruption or withdrawal. Students were also invited to take part in focus group discussions. Survey data were coded and analysed utilising SPSS (Version 25) software. Survey free text narrative and focus group data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Survey results revealed 55 students had interrupted and returned and 281 students had considered leaving or interrupting their programme. Survey descriptive statistics data were grouped into top attrition risk factors. Free text narratives and focus group data identified four themes: multiple and overlapping challenges; the threats and opportunities of clinical placements; the availability of the right support at the right time; and, investing for a better future for myself and others.
Nursing and Midwifery students reported challenges across their pre-registration programmes resulting in risk factors that might lead to students interrupting or withdrawing. Optimal cooperation between higher education institutions (HEI) and clinical stakeholders is of paramount importance to address these challenges as is government and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) acknowledgement and consideration of the identified risks linked to attrition; specifically relating to national funding arrangements and the clinical practice hours required for registration within the UK. This may also resonate with professional programmes internationally, faced with similar staffing shortages.
世界卫生组织估计，到2030年全球将短缺450万名护士和31万名助产士，这给劳动力规划带来了重大问题。尽管英国政府制定了宏伟的政策目标并不断努力，但护理和助产岗位的空缺数量仍在持续增加。一个促成因素是护理和助产专业学生的流失。
确定导致护理和助产专业学生中断或退出预注册课程的风险因素。
顺序解释性混合方法设计。
英格兰西南部的一所大学护理与助产学院。
534名预注册护理和助产专业学生调查受访者以及8名焦点小组参与者。
使用李克特量表评估学生对流失风险因素的看法，并通过自由文本问题收集影响中断或退出的其他因素。还邀请学生参加焦点小组讨论。使用SPSS（第25版）软件对调查数据进行编码和分析。使用反思性主题分析对调查自由文本叙述和焦点小组数据进行分析。
调查结果显示，55名学生中断学业后又返回，281名学生曾考虑离开或中断课程。调查描述性统计数据被归类为主要流失风险因素。自由文本叙述和焦点小组数据确定了四个主题：多重且相互重叠的挑战；临床实习的威胁与机遇；在正确的时间获得正确的支持；以及，为自己和他人投资创造更美好的未来。
护理和助产专业学生在其预注册课程中面临各种挑战，这些挑战导致了可能使学生中断或退出的风险因素。高等教育机构（HEI）与临床利益相关者之间的最佳合作对于应对这些挑战至关重要，政府以及护理和助产士理事会（NMC）对已确定的与流失相关的风险的认可和考虑也同样重要；特别是与英国的国家资金安排以及注册所需的临床实践时长有关。这在国际上面临类似人员短缺问题的专业课程中可能也会引起共鸣。
