Online Graduate Student Retention: Integrative Review With a Theoretically Framed Case Exemplar

Background: Retention of online nursing students in graduate education is essential as the need for nurses exceeds the current supply. Method: The factors contributing to student attrition are reviewed, and a real-world case exemplar is presented to demonstrate the theoretical design and implementation of an orientation to support retention. Results: Knowles' theory of adult learning and Cooper's PECS (purpose, expectations, connections, and support) model for an evidence-based orientation framework guided the design of the orientation. Knowles' theory was aligned with the PECS model to further describe how student and environmental factors can be addressed in an orientation framework and provide strategies for implementation. Additionally, these PECS definitions were applied to specific activities within a conceptual, theoretical, and empirical framework for development of orientations. Conclusion: This case exemplar demonstrated an orientation framework for a feasible application of theory and evidence-based strategies for graduate online nursing programs