Other Titles
Building Grit and Understanding Drivers of Dropout Intentions Among Nursing Students: A Qualitative Descriptive Study [Title Slide]
Abstract
Introduction: Defined as a combination of passion, perseverance, and long-term commitment, grit is the sustained effort to achieve difficult goals over time.1,2 Nursing students have grit, which continues to develop as they enter the profession. However, nearly 20% of students do not complete their studies, despite academic and pastoral support.3 Interventions designed to develop mindsets, such as the six-week ‘Grow your Grit’ program4, better equip students for the rigors of academia. However, limited insights regarding the granular issues that drive dropping out exist.5
Purpose: To understand challenges that lead to increased dropout intentions among first-year nursing students while developing grit.
Methods: Grow Your Grit3 is a series of learner-directed video modules for students to engage, self-evaluate, and develop their own learning pathway. Modules deliver content related to four grit characteristics: interest, practice, purpose, and hope, and encompass reflective activities centred on journalling as they develop grit, which were used to explore dropout intentions. Thematic analysis was used to uncover key experiences and insights among student reflections throughout the six-week program.
Results: Among the 187 first-year nursing students participating, four key themes emerged: (1) external challenges and time management, (2) self-doubt and fear of falling behind, (3) feeling overwhelmed and burnout, and (4) disconnection from interest.
Students cited external challenges, such as family commitments, work, and health issues, as major stressors. These challenges cause time management issues, making it difficult for students to stay on top of their studies. Students questioned their abilities and compared themselves to peers, while there was an underlying fear of failure and underperformance triggering dropping out contemplation.
The intensity of the nursing program was overwhelming, especially among those who did not have strong support systems or felt the workload was unmanageable. Overall, students began with strong interest and purpose, many expressed their passion waned over time due to academic pressures or feeling disconnected from the course materials.
Discussion: Key solutions encompass greater interventions that strengthen student support networks, build confidence, reduce self-doubt, manage overwhelm through structured planning, key activities that reconnect students to purpose, and the need for early intervention for at-risk students.
Notes
References: References
1. Duckworth, A.L., Quinn, P.D. and Tsukayama, E., 2021. Revisiting the factor structure of grit: A commentary on Duckworth and Quinn (2009). Journal of Personality Assessment, 103(5), pp.573-575.
2. Terry, D. and Peck, B., 2020. Academic and clinical performance among nursing students: What's grit go to do with it? Nurse Education Today, 88, p.104371.
3. Biangone M. Fostering the non-academic trait of grit to increase nursing student success. William Carey University; 2020.
4. Canzan, F., Saiani, L., Mezzalira, E., Allegrini, E., Caliaro, A. and Ambrosi, E., 2022. Why do nursing students leave bachelor program? Findings from a qualitative descriptive study. BMC Nursing, 21(1), p.71.
5. Martín-Arbós, S., Castarlenas, E., Morales-Vives, F. and Dueñas, J.M., 2024. Students’ thoughts about dropping out: Sociodemographic factors and the role of academic help-seeking. Social Psychology of Education, 27, pp.2079-2092.
Sigma Membership
Upsilon Theta
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Mentoring and Coaching, Grit, Passion, Perseverance, Dropouts, Nursing Students
Recommended Citation
Biangone, Marianne; Terry, Daniel; Peck, Blake; Kim, Jeong-ah; and Jones, Linda, "Building Grit and Understanding Drivers of Dropout Intentions Among Nursing Students" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 108.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/108
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Building Grit and Understanding Drivers of Dropout Intentions Among Nursing Students
Seattle, Washington, USA
Introduction: Defined as a combination of passion, perseverance, and long-term commitment, grit is the sustained effort to achieve difficult goals over time.1,2 Nursing students have grit, which continues to develop as they enter the profession. However, nearly 20% of students do not complete their studies, despite academic and pastoral support.3 Interventions designed to develop mindsets, such as the six-week ‘Grow your Grit’ program4, better equip students for the rigors of academia. However, limited insights regarding the granular issues that drive dropping out exist.5
Purpose: To understand challenges that lead to increased dropout intentions among first-year nursing students while developing grit.
Methods: Grow Your Grit3 is a series of learner-directed video modules for students to engage, self-evaluate, and develop their own learning pathway. Modules deliver content related to four grit characteristics: interest, practice, purpose, and hope, and encompass reflective activities centred on journalling as they develop grit, which were used to explore dropout intentions. Thematic analysis was used to uncover key experiences and insights among student reflections throughout the six-week program.
Results: Among the 187 first-year nursing students participating, four key themes emerged: (1) external challenges and time management, (2) self-doubt and fear of falling behind, (3) feeling overwhelmed and burnout, and (4) disconnection from interest.
Students cited external challenges, such as family commitments, work, and health issues, as major stressors. These challenges cause time management issues, making it difficult for students to stay on top of their studies. Students questioned their abilities and compared themselves to peers, while there was an underlying fear of failure and underperformance triggering dropping out contemplation.
The intensity of the nursing program was overwhelming, especially among those who did not have strong support systems or felt the workload was unmanageable. Overall, students began with strong interest and purpose, many expressed their passion waned over time due to academic pressures or feeling disconnected from the course materials.
Discussion: Key solutions encompass greater interventions that strengthen student support networks, build confidence, reduce self-doubt, manage overwhelm through structured planning, key activities that reconnect students to purpose, and the need for early intervention for at-risk students.
Description
The study explored dropout intentions among first-year nursing students who participated in a six-week program aimed to enhance grit. Key findings are external challenges, time management issues, self-doubt, fear of falling behind, being overwhelmed, burnout, and disconnection from personal interests contributed to dropout intentions. Beyond developing grit, interventions must focus on strengthening support networks, student confidence, and reconnecting students with their sense of purpose.