RN to BSN Transition

Abstract

Over 670,000 ADN- and diploma-prepared nurses will need to complete their BSN degrees to meet the Institute of Medicine's recommendation that at least 80% of registered nurses (RNs) be BSN-prepared by year 2020. Understanding motivators, barriers, and the transition experience for RNs to advance their degree will help educators and nurse leaders understand the importance of a partnership to educate and mentor RNs to pursue a BSN degree.

RN-to-BS Transition

“…It is logical that working nurses enrolled in baccalaureate completion programs need support for this educational transition from the organization given the challenges they face while in school. Challenges for these nurses include the need to maintain work-life balance, adjust work schedules to attend school, receive employer incentives, and manage costs, time commitment, and personal responsibilities (NASEM, 2021; T. Phillips & Titzer Evans, 2017). The role of the NPD practitioner and the organization's leadership team is instrumental in developing incentives and assistance to promote the employee's successful and seamless educational progression in collaboration with academic partners.…”

“…Nurses making an RN-to-BS transition are exposed to a comprehensive baccalaureate curriculum that expands on diploma or associate degree (AD) nursing preparation. The RN-to-BS transition is defined by T. Phillips and Titzer Evans (2017) as “a time of personal and professional growth of an RN going through formal education culminating in the attainment of a BSN degree” (p. 80). For nurses initially prepared for entry-to-practice at the diploma or AD levels in nursing, pursuing a baccalaureate degree is promoted by research showing improved health outcomes related to the baccalaureate level of educational preparation for frontline clinical nurses (AACN, 2019a; Aiken et al, 2017; Baker et al, 2021).…”