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Attention Health Care Leaders: Literature Review Deems Baccalaureate Nurses Improve Patient Outcomes
Deborah O'Brien1, Mary Knowlton, Ramona Whichello
1About the Authors Deborah O'Brien, BSN, is a student, Western Carolina University School of Nursing, Cullowhee, North Carolina. Mary Knowlton, DNP, RN, CNE, is director, Accelerated BSN Program, and associate professor, and Ramona Whichello, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, is director, Nurse Educator/Nursing Leadership/RN to MS(N) Early Option Programs, and associate professor, Western Carolina University School of Nursing. For more information, contact Ms. O'Brien at dsobrien1@catamount.wcu.edu.
Aim:
This review of studies conducted since the 2011 publication of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health" evaluates the current state of evidence showing an association between an increased ratio of BSN-prepared nursing staff and improved patient outcomes.
Background:
The IOM established a nationwide goal to increase the number of BSN nurses to 80 percent by 2020 to meet the challenges seen in today's health care environment.
Method:
The literature search included a five-year (2011-2016) span following the initial release of the IOM report.
Results:
Mortality, failure to rescue, and readmission rates all decrease as the proportion of BSN nurses is increased in a nursing staffing ratio.
Conclusion:
It is the recommendation of this project that nurse leaders and organizations support the findings of this literature review and the IOM BSN recommendation.
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