BSN completion barriers, challenges, incentives, and strategies

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• The Institute of Medicine's "The Future of Nursing" report recommended 80% of registered nurses (RNs) achieve a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) by 2020.
• This recommendation highlights the critical need to understand factors influencing BSN completion among the nursing workforce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore registered nurses' (RNs) perceptions of barriers and challenges to completing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• To identify incentives and supports that facilitate BSN completion.
• To develop recommendations for increasing RN BSN completion rates.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study design was employed.
• Data were collected from 41 RNs through 6 focus groups.
• Participants were grouped based on their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) completion status.

Main Results:

• Key themes identified included sacrifices, barriers/challenges, incentives/supports, perceived value, initiation of BSN completion, and external pressures.
• Work-life balance and economic concerns were the primary barriers to BSN completion.
• Financial compensation, employer assistance, academic institution support, and family encouragement were significant incentives and supports.
• Recommended institutional strategies involved enhanced educational access and financial aid, fostered through hospital-academic collaborations.

Conclusions:

• Understanding RNs' challenges and support needs is crucial for implementing effective strategies to boost BSN completion.
• Institutional initiatives such as tuition reimbursement and strengthened academic-practice partnerships can facilitate higher Bachelor of Science in Nursing attainment.