BSN in Ten

Why BSN?

WONE Position Statement

Current evidence suggests that the best patient outcomes are achieved when a higher percentage of the nursing staff has acquired the academic preparation of a BSN.

A 2003 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Aiken, 2003) found that a greater number of staff nurses with bachelor’s degrees resulted in a decrease in patient mortality among surgical patents, improved patient outcomes and decreased length of stay.

A 2009-2010 study published in the Lancet (Aiken 2014) in 300 hospitals in nine European countries, established that increasing bachelors prepared nurses by 10% is associated with a 7% decrease in the odds of mortality.

In May 2010, The Tri-Council for Nursing Issues released a new consensus policy statement on the educational advancement of registered nurses The Tri-Council organizations, including the American Organization of Nurse Executives, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Nurses Association, and National League for Nursing, are united in their view that a more highly educated nursing workforce is critical to meeting the nation’s nursing needs and delivering safe, effective care.

On October 5, 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released their report on the Future of Nursing. In the report, Key Message #2 states, “Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression”.

The Joint Statement on Academic Progression for Nursing Students and Graduates was recommended by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Association of Community Colleges, Association of Community Colleges Trustee, the National League for Nursing and the National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing in September 2012. This significant agreement signifies the first time that leaders from national organizations have partnered with nursing education representatives to endorse nursing academic progression.

In a September 2013 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) newsletter article “The Case for Academic Progression”, evidence is identified that links better outcomes to BSN and higher degrees for nurses.

In addition to better patient outcomes, a business case is emerging for hiring more nurses with BSN and higher degrees and encouraging those already on staff to advance their education. In particular, hospitals seeking to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and benefit from the competitive advantages associated with the Magnet Recognition Program ® have begun to promote academic progression within their nursing ranks. These employers expect their investment to pay off in improved patient care, increased productivity, enhanced reputation, and ultimately, a healthier bottom line.

A growing body of evidence suggests that organizations employing a higher percentage of BSN-prepared nurses enjoy:  A safer practice environment,  A more stable workforce,  Lower turnover-related costs,  Lower rates of mortality and some hospital-acquired conditions, and  A ready pipeline of nurses to fill leadership and management roles.

WONE Position Statement The nursing profession must be academically prepared to meet the complex needs of the patients and communities it serves and function as an equal partner with other health care professions and academics.

WONE supports advancing the educational preparation of nurses, not as an option, but as an imperative. This cultural change will demand the creation of system pathways in local Wisconsin communities that promote continued nursing education which would serve as a platform for lifelong learning. We acknowledge that there are multiple access points into the nursing profession and that educational advancement must be encouraged from the point of entry.

As a proactive leader, WONE embraces a future where professional nurses earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).

REFERENCES

Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine; Institute of Medicine the Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health retrieved October 29, 2010, from http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12956.html

(2010, May 14).Tri-Council for Nursing Issues new Consensus Policy Statement on the Educational Advancement of Registered Nurses. Tri-Council for Nursing.

Aiken, L. (2003). Educational Levels of Hospital Nurses and Surgical Patient Mortality. SA MA, 290(12), pp. 1617-1623.

Pittman, P, Horton, K., Keeton, A., Herrera, C., Investing in Nurse Education: Is There a Business Case for Health Care Employers? The George Washington University, RWJF Grant 68816. April 11, 2012.

Rosseter, R. (2014). The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice. Retrieved March 2014 from www.aacn.nche.edu

Aiken, L. et al. (2014). Nurse staffing and education and hospital mortality in nine European countries: a retrospective observational study. Retrieved March 2014 from www.thelancet.com