Title of Effective Practice: - California Postsecondary Education ...

Direct Connection to Policy Area 4 of The Illinois Commitment
Prepare Well-Educated Health Care Professionals: Increase Number of Graduates
West Suburban College of Nursing
What issue or need is addressed by the effective practice?
Increasing the number and diversity of citizens completing a baccalaureate program in nursing.
Description of the effective practice:
Each year the college tracks attrition and graduation rates and reports the number of graduates by ethnicity in the
Annual Report. With the implementation of a new College Strategic and Assessment Plan, the objective of
decreasing attrition and increasing graduation rates has been set in support of the broad goal of preparing welleducated
health care professionals. The metric chosen was percent attrition and graduation based on national
benchmarks with a target of 40% or less attrition. Additionally, we have set goals for incrasing the number of
new enrollments (metric) and a target of 210 enrollees in 2007. Last Fall 2005, we enrolled 137. The Spring
2006 number of enrollees was 156. Thus, we are steadily reaching our goal and expect to meet our target of 210
enrollees in academic year 2006-2007.
How does this practice achieve sustainability?
The practice is part of the Strategic Plan and Assessment process. Metrics/benchmarks and targets have been set
for graduation and attrition rates, number of enrollments and number of graduates by ethnicity. An annual
scorecard is produced and reviewed by College Committees, Councils and Boards to track progress. By
tracking and reporting targets and metrics for goals and objectives, we have increased awareness and focused
activities on reaching those goals.
What are the results/measurable outcomes?
The number of enrollments and graduates have increased from 124 enrollees and 25 graduates in 2004 to 137
enrollees and 56 graduates in 2006. The total number of graduates from ethnicities other than white nonhispanic
have ranged from 63% to 80%. Last year's attrition rate was 34%. This year's attrition rate is 32%.
Enrollments and Graduates
Year Enrollments Graduates
2004 124 25
2005 140 36
2006 137 56
Note: Enrollments include all nursing students on Fall Census Day. Year of graduation i ncludes S ummer and Fall
of previous year and Spri ng of year listed.
Year
Asian
or
Pacific
Islander
Black,
Non-
Hispanic
Graduates by Ethnicity and Gender
Hispanic
White
Non-
Hispanic
Unknown/
Other
Female Male Total
2004 1 1 0 5 18 25 0 25
2005 3 7 1 13 12 35 1 36
2006 13 11 8 18 6 50 6 56
Contact Information
Name: Rebecca Jones
Email: jonesr@wscn.edu
Phone: (708) 763-6975
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