Opinion Article:
A Collaborative Academic Progression Model in Rural Upstate New York: Reflections on the Human Side Nancy Scanlan, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC JoAnn Gleeson-Kreig, PhD, RN Julie Brunell, PhD, RN Carol Brown, RN
n A bstract In an effort to make progress toward the goal espoused in the Institute of Medicine Report on the Future of Nursing (2010) of having 80% of registered professional nurses achieve a baccalaureate degree by 2020, one hospital in rural upstate New York enters into a collaboration agreement to provide registered professional nurses with an on-site program. This opinion article describes the process and success of that collaboration.
The literature continues to mount the evidence that improvements to patient safety and quality can be achieved with increased numbers of baccalaureate degree prepared nurses (Aiken et al., 2011, 2014; Blegen, Goode, Park, Vaughn, & Spetz, 2013; Cho et al., 2015; Kutney-Lee, Sloane, & Aiken, 2013). To promote high-quality care, the Institute of Medicine’s report on The Future of Nursing (Institute of Medicine, 2010) has recommended that 80% of nurses hold baccalaureate degrees by the year 2020. For many geographic areas, this is a far-reaching goal. The rural upstate New York community of Plattsburgh, New York, estimated that fewer than 30% of local nurses held bachelor’s degrees in any field, making
the number who held the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) even fewer. To progress toward the goal of 80% by 2020, an academicpractice partnership was born. Although the need for educational advancement was embraced by both the local hospital and university administrators, and a survey of hospital-employed associate’s degree (AD) prepared nurses revealed much interest in continuing their education toward the BSN degree, there seemed to be a reluctance to enter the university’s existing online BSN completion program. Thus the concept of an on-site program with classes offered at the hospital took shape. Three years later, the program has
Nancy Scanlan is an Associate Professor of Nursing at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY. Dr. JoAnn GleesonKreig is a Professor of Nursing at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY. Dr. Julie Brunell is an Associate Vice President of Learning and Development at the University of Vermont Health Network, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center, Plattsburgh, NY. Carol Brown is a Quality Care Coordinator at the University of Vermont Health Network, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center, Plattsburgh, NY. 28
Journal of the New York State Nurses Association, Volume 44, Number 2
