Collaborative Efforts to Increase BSN Prepared Nurses at a State University Hospital

Background/Significance: An expanded workforce of BSN prepared nurses is associated with decreased rates of patient mortality, 30-day readmissions, and non-reimbursable nursing quality-specific conditions such as pressure ulcers, falls, and postoperative complications. Subsequently, a viable BSN workforce promotion model is crucial for patients and nurses alike. Due to civil service laws, state-funded hospitals within states that do not legally require the BSN for RN practice cannot modify hiring policies to require the BSN for hire, or require pursuit of the BSN degree within a specific time frame post-hire. Therefore, alternative interventions aimed at increasing the BSN prepared workforce must be explored and implemented.

Clinical Question: What interventions are most effective to increase the number of BSN prepared nurses in a state-funded university hospital?

Intervention: A literature review was completed to identify barriers and motivating interventions for BSN promotion. Considering the literature, a team composed of representatives from a state-run university hospital and the College of Nursing collaborated to develop strategies to increase RN-BS enrollment among hospital nurses. A marketing event titled, Instant Decision Day was created along with additional promotional interventions. These interventions included, communication strategies, tuition assistance, optimized marketing to employees, and improved ease of enrollment through the Instant Decision Day initiative.

Discussion: The initiatives resulted in increased hospital RN application to the College of Nursing RN-BS program by nearly 200%. The success came with challenges. For the hospital, unit managers were faced with creative strategies to accommodate staffing schedules. For the college, the increased course sections required hiring instructors and establishing clinical preceptors. The college consistently scheduled face-to-face classes one day per week to assist with work schedules. Qualified hospital personnel were recruited as adjunct faculty and preceptors.

Conclusion: University hospitals can utilize this model to promote BSN enrollment, and subsequently increase the BSN workforce. The joint mission of the hospital and the college is to promote optimum health and wellbeing to the patients, communities, and populations they serve.