Implementing a writing course in an online RN-BSN program.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Technical Communication
• Academic Writing

Background:

• Scholarly writing is crucial for nurses to disseminate research and evidence, directly impacting patient safety and care quality.
• Existing online RN-BSN programs often lack integrated writing instruction, leaving nurses to learn writing skills later in their education.
• There is a need for innovative strategies to foster critical thinking and writing proficiency among nursing students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a collaborative writing course for an online RN-BSN program.
• To integrate essential writing skills early in the nursing baccalaureate curriculum.
• To address the gap in writing instruction within online nursing education.

Main Methods:

• A collaborative project between nursing faculty and technical communication faculty was undertaken.
• A dedicated writing course was developed and implemented as an early component of the online RN-BSN program.
• The course aimed to equip nurses with critical thinking and scholarly writing abilities.

Main Results:

• The implemented writing course serves as one of the initial courses for students in the online RN-BSN program.
• This initiative represents a novel approach to incorporating writing instruction early in nursing education.
• The collaboration aimed to enhance nurses' ability to communicate research effectively.

Conclusions:

• Integrating writing instruction early in RN-BSN programs is essential for developing critical thinking and communication skills.
• Collaborative efforts between nursing and technical communication faculty can create effective writing curricula.
• This approach can improve the dissemination of nursing research and enhance the quality of patient care.