Reducing Barriers for RN-BSN Education: The Assessment Competency Evaluation

Abstract

The Northeast Team of the Ohio Action Coalition, composed of regional clinical and academic educators, identified a potential barrier for nurses pursuing a baccalaureate degree. Duplication of health assessment content was identified for some associate degree graduates enrolled in RN-BSN programs, thereby adding extra time and cost for attaining the baccalaureate degree. In response, the Northeast Team of the Ohio Action Coalition developed an assessment competency evaluation that, if successfully passed, would grant credit for the health assessment course. The assessment competency evaluation provided the opportunity for students to demonstrate competency in both health assessment and clinical judgment skills.

Beyond Traditional RN-BSN Programs

“…The NEOAC team jointly developed an assessment competency evaluation that was administered in the final medical-surgical course of the ADN program. Students who passed the competency would receive two credits for health assessment in the RN-BSN program; others were required to take health assessment in the RN-BSN program (Goliat et al, 2020). Students provided written permission for sharing their names and competency results with RN-BSN chairs so that escrow credit could be granted for health assessment.…”