Seamless Academic Progression in Nursing Education: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Abstract

Abstract AIM The aim of this study was to investigate programs throughout the United States for seamless academic progression from associate degree nursing (ADN) to baccalaureate degree nursing programs (BSN). BACKGROUND Seamless academic progression has been shown to have a positive effect on increasing the proportion of BSN nurses. Goals to increase the number of BSN-prepared nurses have not been met. METHOD A qualitative descriptive study was conducted to assess how nurse administrators of ADN programs move toward seamless academic progression for students. RESULTS Three themes that described the current state of seamless progression emerged from the data: a) ongoing communication between program leaders, students, and stakeholders; b) development of pathways that enable seamless academic progression; and c) stakeholder influence on academic progression. CONCLUSION Administrators who participated in this study shared that their progression programs were in the early developmental stages.