A Regulatory Challenge: Creating a Metric for Quality RN-to-BSN Programs

The number and size of RN-to-BSN programs have grown rapidly since the Institute of Medicine's recommendation that the proportion of registered nurses (RNs) with BSNs be increased to 80% by 2020. Although recognition of the importance of a BSN is welcome, the rapid expansion in the number and size of these programs raises questions about how to define program content and ensure quality in the absence of national benchmarks. Additionally, questions have been raised about what outcomes and competencies should be expected from graduates of these programs. As a source that explicitly outlines expected competencies based on level of nursing education, the Differentiated Essential Competencies of Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs is suggested as a starting place to address these questions. This article describes and recommends a national metric of quality indicators of excellence in RN-to-BSN programs.