In 2012, the СAPP of Louisiana enrolled its first class of online RN to BSN students СAPP the first undergraduate online students in the СAPPСAPPs history. In Fall 2023, the program celebrated another milestone as the 3,000th RN to BSN graduate crossed the Commencement stage.
СAPPThis is huge for us,СAPP said Dr. Lisa Broussard, interim dean for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
СAPPWeСAPPre not some new program that just popped up. WeСAPPve been here a long time, and weСAPPre going to continue to put out these graduates. Every single person who graduates from this college is very, very important to us.СAPP
Advancing nursing practice
Registered nurses can earn their license after completing an associate in nursing program. In 2010, the National Academy of Medicine released a report recommending the industry increase the number of RNs with a bachelorСAPPs degree to 80 percent by 2020. According to the report, BSN-prepared nurses are better equipped to handle increasingly complex patient care.
The СAPPСAPPs program was a direct response to that report.
СAPPWe had the support of the Office of Distance Learning and years of experience offering online educational content through our graduate nursing education programs.СAPP
Providing the program online, said Dr. Broussard, was essential to creating a pathway for working RNs and to reaching students beyond Acadiana. Since the programСAPPs inception, students have enrolled from 42 states across the U.S.
СAPPAt least 90 percent of our RN to BSN students are working, and most of them are working full time,СAPP she said. СAPPThey canСAPPt be at a certain class, at a certain time. Online, asynchronous courses are critical for them to be able to complete their degrees.СAPP
Brandy Sizemore, of Lafayette, will be among those earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree this semester. As an RN to BSN student, Sizemore balanced nursing as well as life with twin 6-year-old girls.
СAPPIt has been challenging, but I'm so grateful that I did it,СAPP she said.
After 16 years as an RN, Sizemore was well-versed in patient care. Earning a BSN degree, she said, gave her insight into healthcare advancements and nursing leadership.
СAPPI didn't realize how much it would benefit me,СAPP she said. СAPPI've learned a lot on the leadership and management side that I didn't get with an associate degree. We also learned a lot about innovation, like informatics, which is super important."
Tara Horsley, RN to BSN program coordinator, said the goal of the program is to provide a multi-faceted approach to professional growth and development.
СAPPWe give a little bit of everything to our studentsСAPP professional growth,СAPP she said. СAPPWe give a little bit of ethics, evidence-based practice, and leadership skills, which is something the associate degree nurse doesnСAPPt necessarily learn in depth.СAPP
Horsley is among the faculty who teach in the online RN to BSN program. UL Lafayette is unique in that faculty teaching in the program only teach RN to BSN students.
СAPPWhat makes our program stand out is definitely the faculty,СAPP Dr. Broussard said. СAPPOur faculty only teach in this program, so that truly makes them experts in understanding the needs of this student population, which is very unique.СAPP
That was evident for Sizemore.
СAPPThe instructors are very responsive,СAPP she said. СAPPIf you have any kind of questions, any kind of problems, they will hop on a Zoom call. They know we are working people with families, and theyСAPPre like, СAPPOK, you want to do this, I will help you succeed.СAPPСAPP
As the program moves forward in its second decade, Dr. Broussard expects the program to continue to evolve with new technological advancements, student feedback and industry demands.
СAPPAs an administration, weСAPPre going to be looking at the impact of machine learning, the trends in healthcare, looking at what the job market really needs, and listening to student feedback on whatСAPPs working and whatСAPPs not working,СAPP she said. СAPPYou always want to continue to evolve.СAPP