ABSTRACT
AIM: Registered nurse to baccalaureate in nursing (RN-BSN) programs hold the second lowest average graduation rate of US nursing programs. Online education is often cited as a good fit for the working nurse for its convenience, accessibility, and flexibility. With a focus on supporting persistence in RN-BSN programs, this research sought to answer the question, What are the best practices for distance/online/hybrid RN to BSN program curriculum and instruction? BACKGROUND: Distance/online/hybrid approaches are a component of most RN-BSN programs and may hold promise for working nurses balancing multiple responsibilities while in school. METHOD: The Garrard Matrix Method was aligned with the work of Whittemore and Knafl to synthesize research that addressed the question. RESULTS: Four themes emerged through this synthesis. CONCLUSION: The findings serve as the beginning of a comprehensive guide on the subject.
Subject(s)
Education, Distance , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate , Curriculum , Humans , Nursing Education ResearchABSTRACT
AIM: The purpose of the study was to describe the Connecticut Nursing Collaborative-Action Coalition's work in identifying and addressing gaps between nursing education and practice based on the Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing report. BACKGROUND: Massachusetts Nurse of the Future (NOF) Competencies highlight the knowledge, skills, and attitudes/behaviors required for professional nurses. Integrating these concepts into the educational system will prepare the nursing workforce to respond to current/future health care needs and population health issues. METHOD: Education and practice partners in four regions conducted a gap analysis of the education to practice transition for new graduate nurses using NOF as a framework for assessment. RESULTS: Gaps in competencies were similar across regions. However, each organization uniquely addressed curricular gaps to best prepare nurses of the future. CONCLUSION: Curriculum improvements will provide students the advantage of being prepared for the rapid changes happening in health care.
Subject(s)
Education, Nursing , Nursing Staff , Curriculum , Forecasting , Humans , MassachusettsABSTRACT
AIM: This metasynthesis assists in the interpretation of qualitative research performed to explore the experience of registered nurses who return to school to pursue a baccalaureate degree. Understanding these experiences is necessary to achieve the national goal of 80 percent of RNs having BSNs by 2020. BACKGROUND: As few as 21 percent of all RNs prepared at the associate or diploma level earn a baccalaureate degree. Experts believe that enhanced academic-clinical partnerships can result in an improvement. METHOD: Noblit and Hare's method was followed to increase understanding of the phenomena. RESULTS: Seven overarching themes are presented in the words of the 324 nurses included in the 13 qualitative studies in the sample. CONCLUSION: The experiences of these nurses provide information to inform partnerships for the development of effective, efficient, and meaningful educational pathways that acknowledge the challenges and needs of these professionals.
