Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite a national directive for associate degree in nursing (ADN) nurses to complete BSN degrees, there is limited research related to student perceptions of the value added by BSN education.
PURPOSE: The purpose was to explore perceptions of immediate workplace usefulness of RN-to-BSN content for ADNs.
METHODS: Qualitative narrative data provided by 263 RN-BSN students in their final semester before graduating with a BSN were analyzed. Students were asked, "How have you used what you are learning in the RN-BSN program at work?"
RESULTS: Themes included the following: research and evidence-based practice, leadership, professionalism, communication, intentional holistic caring, critical thinking, cultural competence, safety and quality improvement, interdisciplinarity, population-based care, and fiscal awareness.
CONCLUSION: Results clarified content that students found useful and provided insight into specific benefits that employers might expect to see when ADNs complete BSN-level education.