| Learning Objective #1: Describe the SAFEST model | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify strategies for providing culturally sensitive education to nurses |
Purpose: 1) provide educational access to an accelerated RN to MSN program in rural depressed central and Appalachia Ohio through the creation of 10 on-line/web enhanced courses; 2) increase student achievement through an Appalachian culturally sensitive student service model; 3) conduct outcomes research with results disseminated to facilitate replication.
Methods: With a grant from the Ohio Learning Network, Otterbein College nursing faculty developed and presented BSN and MSN on-line web enhanced courses for RNs in Appalachian Ohio. Otterbein College collaborated with 5 partner community colleges. The SAFEST (sociocultural, access, financial, evaluative, skills, technology) Model was used. This model identifies student, faculty and community supports needed to provide a successful program.
Findings: Preliminary data finds 37 RNs enrolled in the program from 11 Ohio counties. Course work addressed the culture of the people living in these rural areas. Student comments demonstrated their appreciation at being able to take courses at this pace and having access to an advanced nursing degree.
Conclusions: Teach and Reach project successfully provides educational access of a MSN program to an underserved RN population in Appalachian Ohio through the delivery of online courses, and increasing student achievement by providing culturally sensitive support and delivery. The project supports outcomes of the Arista3 Conference that identified the need to reach more diverse communities to educate nurses and change educational models to facilitate culturally sensitive education.