Consistent with the mission and goals of the MCHP Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) Program, Core competencies established by the 6-NLN Integrating Concepts of associate degree education, and the standards outlined by the ACEN for degree-granting nursing programs, the following outcomes have been selected by the faculty to assist in measuring the quality and effectiveness of the program:
End of Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Formulate evidence-based practices to provide quality and safe nursing care to diverse patients.
- Determine the leadership skills a nurse should implement to provide optimal patient care.
- Recommend communication techniques to promote wellness for individuals and population health for diverse patient care.
- Integrate technology to promote clinical judgment in supporting the nursing process.
- Evaluate current evidence to guide lifelong learning and effectively fulfill the nurse’s role in improving healthcare outcomes.
End of Program Outcomes
The curriculum supports the achievement of the end-of-program student learning outcomes and program outcomes and is consistent with safe practice in contemporary healthcare environments. Teaching and learning practices are congruent with expected student outcomes. The RN-BSN program was developed according to the National League for Nursing (NLN) professional standards and competencies:
- 60% of the RN-BSN students who remain in their first program-specific nursing course after the add-drop period will complete the program in two years for full-time completion.
- 60% of the RN-BSN students who remain in their first program-specific nursing course after the add-drop period will complete the program in two years for part-time completion.
- 90% of alumni will report a 3/3: Meets Expectations or higher based on the eight categories in the RN-BSN Student Survey Post-Graduation for Job Placement six (6) months after passing all program requirements.
Organizational Framework
The curriculum supports the achievement of the end-of-program student learning outcomes and program outcomes and is consistent with safe practice in contemporary healthcare environments. Teaching and learning practices are congruent with expected student outcomes. The RN-BSN program was developed according to the AACN, QSEN and guidelines:
National League for Nursing-Six Integrating Concepts
The RN-BSN program has integrated the NLN four competencies and six integrating concepts into the curriculum. These integrating concepts provide the framework for nursing education.
The Four Competencies
- Spirit of Inquiry: Act as an evolving scholar who contributes to the development of the science of nursing practice by identifying questions in need of study, critiquing published research, and using available evidence as a foundation to propose creative, innovative, or evidence-based solutions to clinical practice problems.
- Professional Identity: Express one's identity as a nurse through actions that reflect integrity; a commitment to evidence-based practice, caring, advocacy, and safe, quality care for diverse patients, families, and communities; and a willingness to provide leadership in improving care.
- Nursing Judgment: Make judgments in practice, substantiated with evidence, that synthesize nursing science and knowledge from other disciplines in the provision of safe, quality care and promote the health of patients, families, and communities.
- Human Flourishing: Incorporate the knowledge and skills learned in didactic and clinical courses to help patients, families, and communities continually progress toward fulfillment of human capacities.
The Six Integrating concepts are as follows:
- Safety: Safety is the foundation upon which all other aspects of quality care are built.
- Quality: Quality is operationalized from an individual, unit and systems perspective.
- Team/collaboration: Team/collaboration-fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care.
- Relationship-Centered Care: Core to nursing practice, relationship-centered care includes caring; (therapeutic relationships with patients, families and communities; and professional relationships with members of the interprofessional team.
- Systems-Based Care: Nurses practice in systems of care to achieve healthcare goals.
- Personal/Professional Development: This refers to the individual’s formation within a set of recognized responsibilities. It includes the notion of good practice, boundaries of practice, and professional identity formation.
(Integrating concepts and definitions are transcribed from NLN, 2014).
The RN-BSN program curriculum was developed, implemented, and continues to be revised to reflect relevant professional nursing standards and guidelines. Both individual and aggregate student outcomes throughout the Program are based upon these professional nursing standards. The integration of these professional nursing standards and guidelines provides students with a framework for nursing practice.