Providing Academic Credit for a Nurse Residency Program Pamela A. Meinert PhD, MSN, RN-BC Penn State Hershey Medical Center July 2015 Penn State Hershey Medical Center 500 bed Academic Medical Center in south central PA Provides clinical rotations for over 900 nursing students per academic year 1
Nursing education in south central Pennsylvania 5 BSN programs AD programs Community College with 3 regional campuses 2 Hospital Schools of Nursing (1 AD & 1 diploma) History July 2010 UHC/ANCC Nurse Residency program Designed for BSN graduates 80% BSN & 20% AD/Diploma graduates AD/diploma RN s in a BSN designed Residency All Residents included in one cohort Create an inclusive environment Introduction to Lifelong Learning at HMC EBP projects needed varied amounts of support Meet learning needs 1:1 2
July 2010 First Residency cohort Spring 2011 Initiated discussion with PSU School of Nursing to provide academic credit July 2011 All newly hired RN positions will have BSN OR Complete the BSN within 5 years First cohort to earn Nursing elective credit Creative Academic Partnerships Why now? Benefits for your organization All Residents who earned credit have continued to progress toward BSN Demonstrates institutional support for professional development Tuition benefit process Lifelong learning Enhanced self-efficacy for academic success 3
Benefits for academic partner More students..more tuition Viewed as creative and collaborative Pipeline for their RN BSN program Demonstrates support for Future of Nursing Factors for successful partnership Gain support for the concept: Internal External Negotiate the academic details Academic policies will dictate some aspects Need high level support: Dean & CNO Adjunct faculty status Faculty contact for logistic support 4
Monthly seminar hours Online discussion Activities/Assignments EBP projects Use these hours to convert to academic credit 1 academic credit hour = 1 learning hour x 15 weeks/term Need 15 learning hours for 1 academic credit Need 30 learning hours for 2 academic credits Total = 3 academic credits (elective) Fall term: August December 5 sessions at 4 hours each = 20 learning hours Need 15 learning hours for 1 academic credit Residency I = 1 academic credit 5
Spring term: January May 5 sessions at 4 hours each = 20 learning hours 5 hours: EBP project 5 hours online discussion &/or assignments 30 learning hours Residency II = 2 academic credits Content and activities in seminar same for all Residents All residents complete EBP or Quality project with hours outside seminars required Assignments/online discussions created to augment a seminar topic Adjunct faculty: joint position or not? Assignments due at next seminar: 30 days Communicate to residents prior to start date Follow up 1:1 prior to course registration Tuition benefit usage: need direction & support 6
Eligible Residents vs Earned Credit 18 16 14 12 Eligible Residents Earned credit 10 8 6 4 2 0 July-11 Jan-12 July-12 Jan-13 July-13 Feb 14 July-14 Feb-15 Residents need in-house support to create the academic connection Professional Development Educator = Adjunct Faculty position Manages course & coordinates academic process Available for 1:1 guidance Reluctant to go back to school while starting a new job Residents are in the same seminars with the same requirements Ex: EBP project Small monthly assignment due at the next seminar (30 days) 7
Do not understand the opportunity and how it can contribute to earning a BSN Multiple communications 1 month and 1 week before start date Meeting during lunch during orientation with PSU rep and HMC coordinator Follow up at first Residency seminar 1:1 Unable to pay tuition Review HMC tuition benefit for PSU Include tuition cost estimate in all communication and address at live meeting Don t know where they want to earn BSN Most BSN programs require some nursing elective credits Provide information on other local program requirements PSU credits transferable 8
Questions and Answers pmeinert@hmc.psu.edu 9