Increase Online Student Retention: Recognize Barriers and Promote Student Engagement

Sharon Gordon, MSN, RN, CNOR(E)

Online learning has become increasingly prevalent across educational settings, offering a flexible pathway for students balancing full-time careers and family responsibilities. However, fostering consistent student engagement remains one of the most critical challenges in reducing the persistently high dropout rates associated with online education. A deeper examination of student procrastination, psychological distance, technological lapses, and weak environmental boundaries reveals key factors that undermine the engagement necessary to increase student retention.

Student Procrastination

Students typically begin programs with high expectations and excitement in anticipation of completing a degree. At this phase, the educator serves as a guide as the student begins the program with self-motivated energy.

As the program progresses, some pitfalls and even roadblocks emerge. The educator shifts into motivator, coach, or mentor mode to support the student along the educational path. Frequent contact with the student to clarify content, offer resources, and positive recognition for work well done motivates the student to continue the program.

Example: Maria, a working mother of two enrolled in an RN-to-BSN program, began missing assignment deadlines during her second semester. Her instructor noticed the pattern and reached out with a brief, supportive email offering to discuss time management strategies. Through weekly check-ins and connecting Maria with a study partner in a similar situation, the instructor helped her develop a realistic study schedule. Maria caught up on her coursework and reported feeling more confident.

Psychological Distance

Students in online learning environments often miss the organic sense of community that naturally develops in a traditional classroom setting. Without regular face-to-face interaction, the absence of connection to faculty and peers can quietly erode motivation and deepen feelings of isolation, two conditions that fuel procrastination and disengagement.

Intentional virtual touchpoints can bridge this gap effectively. Online chat rooms, virtual study halls, and content expert-led drop-in sessions provide students with personalized human support, foster a sense of belonging, and create the kind of community that sustains learners through the most demanding stretches of their program.

Example: One cohort of nursing students felt isolated until their instructor implemented weekly virtual study sessions and created a casual "Coffee Chat Friday" discussion forum. Students began sharing study tips, celebrating each other's successes, and even forming their own peer support groups. By semester's end, several students reported that these connections were "the reason I didn't give up" during challenging coursework.

Technological Lapses

Technology is the backbone of online learning, and when it fails students are left feeling vulnerable and can fall behind quickly. For non-traditional students already managing demanding schedules, an unexpected technological disruption can feel insurmountable, often triggering the very procrastination and disengagement that educators work hard to prevent.

Faculty play a pivotal role in minimizing the academic impact of these lapses. Proactive measures such as recommending replacement equipment, connecting students with institutional IT support, and extending submission deadlines for assignments and group work can make the difference between a temporary setback and a permanent withdrawal. Many institutions further support students by offering loaner equipment programs, a resource worth highlighting during program orientation so students are aware before a crisis arises.

Example: When Jamal's laptop crashed the night before a major exam, panic set in. His instructor quickly connected him with IT support, arranged for a loaner laptop from the university, and rescheduled his exam for two days later. This flexibility and prompt assistance allowed Jamal to complete the exam successfully without falling behind in the course.

Weak Environmental Boundaries

The environment in which a student studies has a profound impact on their ability to focus, retain information, and perform well. Many online learners study within the same walls where they parent, cook, and unwind. The absence of a clear boundary between home life and academic life can become a significant and often overlooked contributor to procrastination and poor performance.

Educators can encourage students to designate a dedicated study space that is quiet, well-lit, clutter-free, and intentionally separated from high-traffic areas and entertainment distractions such as television or gaming. This physical separation creates a psychological shift that signals to the brain it is time to focus, directly enhancing productivity and academic engagement. For students whose home environment presents unavoidable challenges, alternatives such as public libraries or coffee shops can serve as effective and accessible study sanctuaries.

Example: Sofia, a single parent studying for her nursing degree, struggled to concentrate while studying at her kitchen table surrounded by household activity and her children's needs. After her instructor suggested creating a dedicated study space, Sofia converted a small corner of her bedroom into a "school zone" complete with a desk, lamp, and noise-canceling headphones. Within weeks, she noticed improved focus and her test scores increased significantly.

The following chart identifies common distractions in the online environment along with faculty interventions to support students.

Conclusion

Supporting student engagement in online nursing education requires intentional effort from faculty to address the unique challenges of distance learning. By implementing proactive communication strategies, creating opportunities for community building, providing technical support, and encouraging effective study environments, educators can significantly improve student persistence and success. The investment in these engagement strategies not only reduces dropout rates but also cultivates a supportive learning community where adult learners can thrive while balancing their multiple responsibilities. As online education continues to grow in nursing programs, these practical interventions serve as essential tools for educators committed to improving student retention and overall student success.

For additional information, please visit:

National Center for Education Statistics https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2017/2017098/index.asp

Vermeulen, E. & Volman, M. (2024). Promoting student engagement in online education: Online learning experiences of Dutch university students. Academic Psychology, 29 (2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-023-09704-3

Wolfgang Hermann Spitzer, M., Gutsfeld, R., Wirzberger, M., & Moeller, K. (2021). Evaluating students' engagement with an online learning environment during and after COVID19 related school closures: A survival analysis approach. Trends Neuroscience Education 18(25) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tine.2021.100168.

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March 16, 2026