Concurrent enrollment pathway: A model for ADN-BSN programs

The purpose of this article is to share the collaborative planning and execution of these two public universities and one community college in developing an innovative program to increase BSN-prepared nurses. The aim of the collaboration is to offer a high quality, affordable, and time-saving pre-licensure, concurrent enrollment program (CEP) which allows community college ADN students direct access to BSN study, while maintaining excellent program outcomes, and increasing diverse baccalaureate-prepared nurses in practice.

Key stakeholders in two public educational systems met to discuss the development of a regional collaboration between two state universities and one local community college. The group designed university-specific, concurrent curricular roadmaps for each university. Students admitted in ADN program chose if they want to attend a concurrent enrollment or a traditional plan of study.

In Fall 2019, the CEP program was launched admitting 40 ADN students concurrently enrolled in one university. Subsequently, another cohort started in Spring 2020 with 39 students dually enrolled at the other state university. All students in both cohorts resided in the region. Over 75 % of the total CEP enrollees came from diverse backgrounds, 49 % Hispanics, 16 %, Asians, and 8 % African Americans and 4 % native Hawaiians. Forty-four percent were first generation college students. The average age was 25 with a range of 21-39. Twenty percent of the students were male which is above the national average of 12 %. After four semesters, students completed their ADN degree, passed the licensure exam, and transitioned to earn their BSN degree in the university for another two semesters.

The literature reveals that BSN-prepared nurses contribute to safe patient care. The current number of cost-effective and accessible nursing programs are not sufficient to reach the IOM 80/20 goal, which contributes to the ongoing shortage of BSN-prepared nurses in the nation, including California. Creativity and open collaboration of nurse leaders, faculty, and staff across different levels of education was instrumental in the success of the students and the program.