The purpose of this retrospective descriptive study was to identify factors affecting institutional departure by rural freshmen in higher education. Nursing majors were further considered as a sub-group for the purpose of comparing their departure rate and reasons for leaving with non-nursing students from both rural and nonrural areas. The shortage of nurses is most acute in rural areas, a problem that should be more actively addressed by nursing education. Before initiating policies aimed at recruitment and retention of students who are more likely to practice in rural settings, a better understanding of their characteristics and needs should take precedent.

Four hundred and sixty-two students who left the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) during their freshman year (1988-1990) were surveyed about their reasons for leaving the institution. Half of the sample represented rural students (hometown size $<$ 10,000). The survey tool used was the Former Student Questionnaire (FSQ) with supplemental questions provided by the researcher.

Results indicated that rural freshman students in general leave at a significantly higher rate than nonrural students. Their reasons for leaving do not differ from nonrural students in academic or financial areas. Rural students' reasons for leaving do differ significantly in social/interpersonal areas with rural students most often citing insufficient or inadequate positive (supportive) interactions with faculty.

Nursing majors were found to leave at slightly higher rates than other majors. Chi-square analysis did not demonstrate significance, however. Also, nursing majors did not leave for reasons different from the other majors. Academic, financial and social reasons were compared. Rural nursing majors did not leave for significantly different reasons than nonrural nursing majors.

The significance of this study focuses on the need to more actively recruit nursing majors from rural areas. Rural-background should be considered as an admission criteria if the institutional mission is to supply more nurses to the rural areas of the state. Rural nursing majors should be identified early in the freshman year and assigned to volunteer nursing faculty advisors who will spend extra time facilitating their continuance in the nursing program.