title: Issues concerning recruitment, retention and attrition of student nurses in the 1950/60s: a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate student nurse recruitment and attrition in the 1950' and 1960s and undertake comparisons to modern day concerns. The study was set in one hospital in the U.K.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In the period studied nursing was unpopular as a profession and there were difficulties surrounding recruitment. Attrition rates were high.
  
  
  METHODS
  Documentary analysis of 641 training records dating 1955 to 1968 was undertaken. Attrition rates, reasons for non-completion and employment following successful completion were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most recruits were young, unmarried, females and had overseas addresses. The majority (n = 88) had prior nursing experience. Over 69% (n = 443) successfully completed their training. Attrition rates were over 30% (n = 198), the main reason being academic failure. Following completion over 40% (n = 183) undertook midwifery training (n = 183) or secured a staff nurse post (n = 153).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Issues relating to recruitment, retention and attrition in the 1950s and 1960s put into context present day issues. Recent attrition rates from pre-registration nurse education have fallen, nevertheless some of the issues of yesteryear remain problematic. In the present study significant numbers of entrants left due to domestic and ill-health problems resonates with many modern day studies. Also failure to complete due to academic shortcomings continues to be a concern.
authors.affiliation: Evidence-based Practice Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, UK. Electronic address: jinksa@edgehill.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Annette M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jinks
authors.affiliation: Evidence-based Practice Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, UK. Electronic address: richardk@edgehill.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, UK. Electronic address: jonesch@edgehill.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Evidence-based Practice Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, UK. Electronic address: jennifer.kirton@edgehill.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kirton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012570:School Admission Criteria / Q000639:trends*; D013332:Student Dropouts / Q000266:history* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000266:history*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Historical cohort study; Nursing student selection and dropout