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ADN to BSN: lessons from human capital theory.
1Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Nursing Economic$
|June 22, 2006
Summary
Only 16% of associate degree nurses pursue a higher degree. Human capital analysis shows low returns on investment for BSN education, suggesting increased ROI could encourage more nurses to advance their education.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Health Economics
Background:
- Currently, a small percentage of Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) graduates pursue Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees.
- There is a projected need for more BSN-prepared nurses in the healthcare workforce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the return on investment (ROI) for BSN education among ADN graduates.
- To explore strategies for increasing ADN enrollment in BSN programs.
Main Methods:
- Human capital analysis was employed to evaluate the financial returns of BSN education.
- The study examined existing data on ADN graduates' educational pursuits.
Main Results:
- Human capital analysis indicated negative to minimal average returns on investment (ROI) for BSN education.
- Low ROI may be a barrier for ADN graduates considering further education.
Conclusions:
- Increasing the ROI for BSN education could incentivize ADN graduates to pursue baccalaureate degrees.
- Enhancing the financial viability of BSN programs is a potential strategy to meet the demand for BSN-prepared nurses.