News

Award-winning app slashes nursing student dropout rate

University’s scheme helps tutors identify placement issues at an early stage

University’s scheme helps tutors identify placement issues at an early stage


Picture: iStock

An app has won an international award for helping to significantly reduce attrition on adult nursing courses at one university in England.

Dropout rates on nursing degrees across the UK are high, with one in four (24%) students quitting their studies before graduation, as highlighted by Nursing Standard recently.

The Myprogress app – developed by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and software business MyKnowledgeMap – has helped to cut attrition rates on ARU’s nursing programmes from 22% in 2016 to 5% this year.

The project won gold in the category of Best Learning Technologies Project (Public and Non-profit Sector) at the Learning Technologies Awards.

App provides instant access to students’ placement progress

The technology, which contains digital placement documents, allows tutors to view students’ progress on clinical placements in NHS trusts at any time, rather than having to wait for physical documents.

This enables tutors to identify any issues students might be having at an early stage and address them promptly.

Technology aims to improve well-being of students

ARU acting head of school for nursing and midwifery (Essex) Louise Jenkins said: ‘It is imperative that we know exactly how our students are doing while they are with trusts, and the fewer nurses that leave the profession, the better for everyone.

'The app helps us identify any issues early, address them, and ensure students and trust staff are happy, resulting in a lower dropout rate among nursing students.’

Award recognises app’s many functions

The award judges praised the accessibility of the app, the ability to use it offline, and how student feedback was incorporated.

The app is now used by more than 2,000 ARU students when on clinical placements.


In other news

Jobs