Advancing Nursing Education: BSN Completion Messaging Materials for Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Faculty

Problem: The IOM’s Future of Nursing report calls for increasing the proportion of baccalaureate-prepared nurses to 80% by 2020. There is supports for nurses’ to pursue education beyond an associate’s degree. Many initiatives have been implemented to encourage academic progression toward BSN. To increase the proportion of BSN-prepared RNs, additional options need to be considered. The support and message that ADN faculty provide to ADN students is crucial for students to recognize and understand the benefits, opportunities, and importance of continuing their nursing education.

Project Aim: To develop resources that ADN faculty can use to advise and encourage ADN students in advancing their nursing education through pursuit of a baccalaureate degree.

Project Method: Using a strategic communication framework, BSN completion messaging materials were developed for ADN faculty to use with students. Evaluation sessions of the messaging materials occurred with faculty from two Kansas ADN programs to elicit feedback and recommendations for the materials.

Findings and Conclusion: Overall, participants supported the messaging materials. The responses from both ADN faculty groups were similar. Faculty responses included the appreciation of having current resources available to share with students in group and individuals sessions, a variety of documents and messaging material mediums, and a plan to share information with other nursing programs. The ADN administrators and faculty responded that the materials were ready for use.

The comprehensive set of BSN completion messaging materials provides options for approaching and supporting students in the completion of their BSN degree. Considerations need to be given with whom and how to share the information among a wider group of nursing leaders in practice settings. Additional work needs to be done so that all RNs have the opportunity to complete their BSN degree to obtain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required in healthcare and to achieve their professional goals.