Abstract
AIM: Registered nurse to baccalaureate in nursing (RN-BSN) programs hold the second lowest average graduation rate of US nursing programs. Online education is often cited as a good fit for the working nurse for its convenience, accessibility, and flexibility. With a focus on supporting persistence in RN-BSN programs, this research sought to answer the question, What are the best practices for distance/online/hybrid RN to BSN program curriculum and instruction?
BACKGROUND: Distance/online/hybrid approaches are a component of most RN-BSN programs and may hold promise for working nurses balancing multiple responsibilities while in school.
METHOD: The Garrard Matrix Method was aligned with the work of Whittemore and Knafl to synthesize research that addressed the question.
RESULTS: Four themes emerged through this synthesis.
CONCLUSION: The findings serve as the beginning of a comprehensive guide on the subject.