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Monday, 31 October 2011
Learning Objective 1: Discuss the process of establishing a successful partnership between an existing Diploma and Baccalaureate nursing program resulting in a unique model of nursing education delivery.
Learning Objective 2: Discuss the benefits of the partnership to students, each nursing program, and to patient stake-holders .
Purpose: Recent changes in the law governing diploma schools in Texas compelled one diploma school to partner with a local university ultimately providing their graduates a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Methods: The success of the partnership required vision, collaboration and perseverance among the partnership leaders and respective institutions housing the schools of nursing. Dixie Sommers, assistant commissioner for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), cites registered nurses as the number one occupation to see the greatest number of new jobs over the next decade. The Institute of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, offers recommendations focusing on the critical intersection between the health needs of diverse patient populations and nursing workforce actions. Recommendation #2 states “Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression.” House Bill 2426 of the Texas 2007 Legislative session states “The Texas Board of Nursing in collaboration with nurse education stakeholders and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board must implement a plan for creation of innovative models for nursing education promoting increased enrollment.” Results: With the knowledge of these edicts the diploma school Covenant School of Nursing and the Lubbock Christian University Department of Nursing formed a partnership creating a new model of nursing education allowing Covenant graduates to seamlessly transition for completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Conclusion: The benefits to the student and institutions are numerous with the ultimate winner being the patient experiencing high level care. Maintaining the identity of diploma education requiring high levels of clinical experiences coupled with the university liberal and expanded leadership training yields a BSN graduate with abilities to function well with diverse, ever changing patient populations.