title: NURSING 911: an orientation program to improve retention of online RN-BSN students.
abstract: This article describes the implementation and evaluation of an eight-hour, comprehensive, face-to-face orientation program designed to improve student retention in a newly developed online RN to BSN program. A total of 179 newly enrolled RN to BSN students participated in the orientation program and evaluated the process. Student attrition decreased from 20 percent to less than 1 percent after the orientation program was extended and improved to include a technology assessment and an online practice course. A quality online program requires a well-designed orientation that includes technological assessments and hands-on, active participation by the learner. The newly improved and designed course has become effective in student retention and transition into the online learning environment.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, USA. melanie.gilmore@usm.edu
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gilmore
authors.forename: Evadna M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lyons
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003200:Computer User Training; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D004518:Education, Professional, Retraining / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D015144:Southeastern United States