Nursing is unique among all health professions because it has multiple educational pathways leading to an entry-level license to practice. The variety and volume of available pre-licensure nursing education programs has increased access to nursing education throughout the country. However, the question of the extent to which each type of education prepares the nurse for the current practice environment has been debated by nurses, nursing organizations, academics, and a variety of other stakeholders for more than 50 years.
In this whitepaper, nursing education expert Susy Sportsman takes an overview of the educational transition necessary to meet the goals of RNs holding a BSN degree or higher, the challenges programs face addressing this goal, and suggestions for rethinking the educational process for these nurses.
