Ways to Increase Rn-Bsn Enrollment
Finding Ways to Increase RN-BSN Enrollment
Christine Schneider
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR351ON: Transitions in Professional Nursing
Spring Session B 2011
Finding Ways to Increase RN-BSN Enrollment
Introduction
“Increasing RN-BSN enrollments: Facilitating Articulation Through Curriculum Reform” is an article contained in The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing that was written by Janie Spencer, RN, EdD in 2008. The educational degree nurses obtain are by diploma, the associate degree (ADN), and the baccalaureate degree (BSN). In this article, Dr. Spencer discusses the advantages of BSN degree nurses, ways to increase BSN degree nurses and the current trends in RN-BSN programs. “The majority of practicing registered nurses (RNs) hold an associate degree” (Spencer, 2008, p.308). The goal was to have approximately two thirds of nurses hold a BSN degree by 2010, however, that goal is still not met.
Summary
Spencer notes that the debate is inspired by recent research stating that educational levels of nurses have an effect on the mortality rates of postsurgical patients (2008, p. 307). ADN and Diploma nurses go to school for two and three years respectively. “The additional year of baccalaureate training includes research, theory, community health and leadership content (Spencer, 2008, p.308). When nurses have the opportunity to obtain a broader knowledge base it allows for more flexibility and adaptability as the health care industry is always changing. As patients become more complex, BSN degree nurses are able to apply these concepts as well as basic nursing skills in his or her care. Utilizing research skills and evidence-based practice along with theory based practice skills allows for a greater understanding of what is going on with a patient and encourages nurses to think outside of the box. This comes in handy in community health nursing as resources are not as readily available and substitutions are quite frequently
Christine Schneider
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR351ON: Transitions in Professional Nursing
Spring Session B 2011
Finding Ways to Increase RN-BSN Enrollment
Introduction
“Increasing RN-BSN enrollments: Facilitating Articulation Through Curriculum Reform” is an article contained in The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing that was written by Janie Spencer, RN, EdD in 2008. The educational degree nurses obtain are by diploma, the associate degree (ADN), and the baccalaureate degree (BSN). In this article, Dr. Spencer discusses the advantages of BSN degree nurses, ways to increase BSN degree nurses and the current trends in RN-BSN programs. “The majority of practicing registered nurses (RNs) hold an associate degree” (Spencer, 2008, p.308). The goal was to have approximately two thirds of nurses hold a BSN degree by 2010, however, that goal is still not met.
Summary
Spencer notes that the debate is inspired by recent research stating that educational levels of nurses have an effect on the mortality rates of postsurgical patients (2008, p. 307). ADN and Diploma nurses go to school for two and three years respectively. “The additional year of baccalaureate training includes research, theory, community health and leadership content (Spencer, 2008, p.308). When nurses have the opportunity to obtain a broader knowledge base it allows for more flexibility and adaptability as the health care industry is always changing. As patients become more complex, BSN degree nurses are able to apply these concepts as well as basic nursing skills in his or her care. Utilizing research skills and evidence-based practice along with theory based practice skills allows for a greater understanding of what is going on with a patient and encourages nurses to think outside of the box. This comes in handy in community health nursing as resources are not as readily available and substitutions are quite frequently
References: Spencer, J. (2008). Increasing RN-BSN Enrollments: Facilitating Articulation Through Curriculum Reform. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 39(7), 307-313. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=7&hid=8&sid=2b4a197c-b713-4bc7-ba61-0926fc5b10f3%40sessionmgr114