Increasing Nursing Staff Education Levels

Purpose:
The purpose of the project is to increase the number of BSN nurses at Wyoming Medical Center by providing educational opportunities within the community for current AD nurses and others to obtain a BSN/MSN

Significance:
Research has indicated better patient outcomes when bedside nursing staff has a higher level of education. NDNQI data was used to identify a need for new opportunities for ADNs to obtain a BSN in a rural state with limited educational opportunities.

Strategy and Implementation:
Plans to increase staff educational level were presented to management. The State of Wyoming is supporting the concept of Magnet status by providing $250,000 to hospitals for associated costs incurred in the Magnet journey. WMC is using part of this funding to support education., by providing scholarships for RNs to complete their BSN. The University of Wyoming offers the courses on-line so staff do not have to travel to the campus. Wyoming has only one 4-year university, distance education is a significant issue in our state We have also developed a relationship with the University of Wyoming to provide clinical nursing instructors and clinical sites at WMC for the Bachelors Reach for Accelerated Nursing Degree. These students have a bachelor's degree in another area and can complete their BSN in 15 months. The Clinical Nurse Specialists are Adjunct/ Partnership faculty for the BRAND students, with the idea the students will be inclined to pursue employment at WMC

Evaluation:
We have not increased 2006 BSN numbers from 28% yet, but with 47 RNs enrolled in a scholarship program, we hope to reach our goal of 39% soon. Four of the 12 initial BRAND students have been hired. Currently this year we have hired 35% BSNs as opposed to last year less than 10%.

Implications for Practice:
It is difficult to employ high numbers of BSNs in a rural state with only one 4 year program. By partnering with the University and using on-line programs, we are increasing our numbers. We plan on showing to the staff, improvements in patient care as our BSNs numbers increase.