Returning to school to a baccalaureate program: is there an easy way to learn?

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education Pedagogy

Background:

• Registered nurses (RNs) transitioning to university studies face a steep learning curve.
• New academic environments require distinct skills beyond clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an innovative assignment designed for RN students.
• To evaluate the assignment's effectiveness in content acquisition and skill development.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a tailored academic assignment for RN students.
• Assessment of student learning and skill enhancement through the assignment.

Main Results:

• The assignment successfully facilitated understanding of core course content.
• Students reported improved academic skills, including critical thinking and scholarly writing.

Conclusions:

• The assignment provides a valuable pedagogical approach for RN students.
• Recommendations for refining the assignment are offered to further support academic success.