Navigating challenges and cultivating connections: Faculty experiences teaching RN-BSN students

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education
• Healthcare Workforce Development

Background:

• RN to BSN program success hinges on program quality, flexibility, accessibility, and faculty support.
• Faculty must be adept at managing diverse learners, avoiding bias, reducing stigma, and creating equitable, relevant learning environments.
• Limited research exists on the specific experiences of faculty teaching in RN to BSN programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the experiences of nurse faculty who teach Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) students.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive design.
• Naturalistic inquiry approach.
• Semi-structured interviews with 15 RN to BSN faculty across the United States.

Main Results:

• Faculty preparation for teaching RN to BSN students varied significantly.
• Three major themes emerged from the data, with one theme containing two sub-themes.
• Participant data highlighted diverse faculty experiences and challenges in the RN to BSN educational setting.

Conclusions:

• Nurse faculty require enhanced preparation and resources to effectively support RN to BSN student learning.
• Recommendations are provided for policies, practices, and resources to bolster faculty effectiveness in RN to BSN programs.
• Addressing faculty needs is essential for optimizing the RN to BSN educational experience and outcomes.