ADN to BSN; The "If" and "When"

JohnKarlinRN · Dec 3, 2014

They say learning is a lifelong endeavor. My ancestors believe knowledge & wisdom are sacred; Odin sacrificed an eye for it. I recently conducted a voluntary survey of 83 Registered Nurses in an Intensive Care Unit to understand why Associates Degree Nurses have not returned to school to pursue their Bachelors Degree in Nursing. The purpose was to uncover and address the root causes of ADNs not pursuing further education.

The voluntary surveys consisted of RNs marking their highest degree of completion, highest degree of Nursing, and if they are currently enrolled in school. If the RN is not currently enrolled in school, the survey then asked for their main barrier. The barriers included:

A) Too near retirement
B) No time or money due to kids
C) No money due to debt
D) Intimidated due to being out of school for several years
E) Intimidated due to number of classes needed for Bachelors
F) Don't feel like it, or just don't want to
G) Other (space left for comment)

Of the 83 surveys returned, 37 ADNs highest degree is an A.S., five ADNs have a B.S. in another field, and the remaining 46 RNs have a BSN. Only one ADN reported to be enrolled in school, which is 2.7% of the total 37 ADN's. The ADNs most commonly reported reason for not going back to school was the lack of time and money due to kids. Twenty seven comments were given, and are represented on the Prezi presentation associated with this article. The root cause analysis compiled from the survey responses was placed on a flowchart with solutions to address each roadblock preventing ADNs from pursuing further education.

The principal goal at hand was to improve the primary metric of ADNs currently enrolled in school from 2.7% to 10% within 12 months. A hardback 3-ring reference binder was created and placed in the Staff break room, and was divided into four color sections. The first section, Furthering Educational Development, contained solutions to roadblocks from the root cause analysis conducted. The second section, Educational Assistance Policy, contained a copy of our employers Education Assistance policy, application form, and scholarship opportunities at three local community colleges. The third section, RN to BSN Programs, contained copies of degree completion requirements from four Oklahoma City area RN to BSN programs. The fourth section, Stepping-Stone to Entering a BSN Program, contained two flyers distributed within the surveyed ICU. The first flyer outlined the completion of a General Studies A.S. as an entry-level stepping stone to entering a BSN program. A second flyer listed four major benefits to first obtaining a General Studies Associates Degree;

A) Classes to complete a General Studies Associates Degree are also the pre-requisites to enter a BSN program (stepping-stone to Bachelors).
B) General Studies Associates Degree can meet a professional goal on your employee evaluation.
C) Another degree on your Résumé is evidence of keeping your education current.
D) If a Bachelors degree is not completed, you at least have acquired an Associates Degree.

The second flyer also listed the three local community colleges where the pre-requisites and A.S. can be obtained; OCCC, OSU-OKC, and Rose State. The final document in the reference binder explained our facilities behavioral standards valuing education.

A timeline was also created with planned interventions for each month, consisting of emails, individual follow-ups with ADNs, flyers, information presented in Staff newsletters, and the reference binder. After ten months of applying the above interventions, three ADNs enrolled in school, achieving the set goal of increasing ADN enrollment from 2.7% to 10%.

The research I compiled throughout this project proves that with the proper information and resources, RNs can feel empowered to pursue further education in a convenient and practical way. If you've thought about returning to school, there's no better time than now.