Underpinning The Future Of Maui County Healthcare: A Proposal For A Pre-licensure BSN Nursing Program

Abstract

The purpose of this evidenced based project is to provide Maui County with the benefits of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepared new Registered Nurses (RNs) by making the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College (UHMC) Nursing Program a BSN degree. The history of the access to BSN education and employment in Maui County is examined as it relates to incidence of students pursuing the degree. The Academic Progression in Nursing (APIN) literature was searched over the past ten years and consistently demonstrated the benefits to patient and organizational outcomes from BSN preparation. It also outlined barriers to students earning this degree which are a focus of the project to overcome. The conclusion was to change the UHMC Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to a pre-licensure BSN. This will provide Maui County with 100% BSN prepared new RNs going forward. It will ensure the community has new nurses prepared at the evidenced based standard, who are capable of providing optimum patient care, supporting organizational standards of excellence, and being in the position to pursue advanced practice and leadership roles as their careers develop.