RN-to-BSN education: Creating a Context that Uncovers New Possibilities

After 6 years of steady decline in enrollments, RN-to-BSN programs experienced an increase in enrollments from 2002 to 2003. Based on findings from a hermeneutic phenomenological study that examined the connection between faculty and students in RN-to-BSN programs, the theme, "Creating a Context that Uncovers New Possibilities," offered insight into how nurse educators can transform the teaching-learning environment to meet the needs of this valuable group of nursing students. This article describes this interpretive study and suggests strategies nurse educators can use to enhance the educational context and create new possibilities that meet RN-to-BSN students' expectations.