UPDATE on NATIONAL TRENDS on Nursing Articulation Models
Joyce Falco 8/1999
Co-presenter Sherry Fox
10th Annual Nurse Educator Conference
(refer also to Powerpoint presentation , reference and Table 1)
As we approach the new millennium, the debate over entry into practice
continues for the profession of Nursing. Instead of continuing this
debate, should we not be focusing on delivering the highest quality
of care to patients in a very complex health care system by preparing
competent graduates???
Perhaps the time has come once again to focus on Educational Mobility,
which will serve the client, the profession, and the individual nurse.
We, Joyce Falco of Colorado, and Sherri Fox of California, presented a current national overview of Articulation models and the evolving process of California's efforts to facilitate articulation through statewide adoption of a framework for competency based role differentiation.
I (Falco) had the privilege to facilitate Colorado's Nursing Articulation Model under the direction of the Colorado Council of Nursing Education (CCNE) almost a decade ago. We have a voluntary statewide model that is a benchmark that has been used by many other states on their journeys. Currently I am working as one of the project coordinators for the RWJ funded Colleagues in Caring Initiative. Part of this initiative, which started three years ago in 20 states, focuses on Articulation.
The STATES include: ALASKA, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, HAWAII, MARYLAND, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI-COLUMBIA, MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY, MISSISSIPPI, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, OHIO, SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, AND WEST VIRGINIA.
The need for effective articulation is even more critical today as we are faced with the aging of our society, the trend toward multiple careers in a lifetime and the changing demographics of Workforce 2000.
I (Falco) was curious as to the current National status of Models around
the country. In preparation for this presentation I contacted all of
the states either via their Colleagues in Caring Project or through
their State Board of Nursing.
PLEASE refer to the Table 1 document for the findings. The response
rate was 100%. 20 STATES OR 39% REPORTED STATEWIDE MODELS.
12 STATES OR 24% REPORTED PROGRAM TO PROGRAM AGREEMENTS.
19 STATES OR 37% REPORTED THEY DID NOT HAVE MODELS.
6 of the 19 STATES OR 12% OF THE TOTAL REPORTED THEY WERE IN THE DEVELOPMENT
STAGE.
The states of CALIFORNIA, DC, FLORIDA, MONTANA, SOUTH DAKOTA AND WEST
VIRGINIA are currently developing Nursing Education Articulation MODELS
for mobility. MY CO-PRESENTER SHERRY FOX shared THE CALIFORNIA EXPERIENCE
IN DEPTH. Then Joyce proceeded with these shared comments and goals
of the developing model states, and wrapped up with successful strategies
for developing a nursing articulation model for educational mobility.
DC
IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING AT THE PROCEDURAL "NITTY GRITTY".
HAVE MADE PROGRESS IN THAT THE BACKGROUND INFO. LIKE WHO OFFERS WHAT
COURSE, ETC. IS COMPLETED. PLAN IS THAT THE MODEL WILL BE COMPLETED
BEFORE THE FALL OF 2000 AND READY FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
FLORIDA
WORKING ON A MINIMUM OF 10 CREDITS STATEWIDE FOR ARTICULATION FOR ALL
PN INTO AS PROGRAMS. HAS NOT YET BEEN FINALIZED THROUGH THE ARTICULATION
COORDINATING COUNCIL. DO HAVE MANY BRIDGE PROGRAMS WHICH ENABLE PN STUDENTS
TO COMPLETE THE AS DEGREE IN AN ADDITIONAL YEAR BUT THIS IS NOT STATEWIDE.
MONTANA
HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSION PHASE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WILL USE RWJ GRANT
TO REFINE THE MONTANA MODEL ARTICULATION PLAN AND WILL DEVELOP ROLES,
COMPETENCIES, AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS OF LPN's AS/RN's AND BSN/BANs.
WILL ALSO DELINEATE ESSENTIAL CONTENT OF NURSING COURSES AND THE SEQUENCE
IN WHICH THESE COURSES SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE CREDIT
TRANSFER AND ARTICULATION. FINALLY THE COMMITTEE WILL DEVELOP STRATEGIES
FOR STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND PUBLISH BOTH PRINT AND ELECTRONIC INFORMATION
ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATIONAL MOBILITY TARGETED TO NURSES IN THE
STATE. PROJECT DIRECTOR IS DR. LEA ACORD, DEAN AND PROFESSOR AT MONTANA
STATE UNIVERSITY AND THERE IS AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE OF SEVEN MEMBERS
REPRESENTING EDUCATION, SERVICE, REGULATION, THE HOSPITAL ASSN., LPN
ASSN., AND THE MONTANA NURSES' ASSN.
SOUTH DAKOTA
HAS HAD A NURSING EDUCATION ARTICULATION TASK FORCE IN PLACE FOR PAST
TWO YEARS. FRAMEWORK CONSISTS OF MISSION STATEMENT, NEED FOR THE PLAN,
ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT ARTICULATION, VALIDATION OF PRIOR LEARNING, TRANSFER
OF CREDIT, NURSING WORK EXPERIENCE, AND EVALUATION.
GOALS
DETERMINE CORE CONCEPTS COMMON TO ALL NURSING PROGRAMS
DEVELOP COMPETENCIES FOR EACH TYPE OF NURSING PROGRAM
DEVELOP A DRAFT STATEWIDE ARTICULATION FRAMEWORK INCLUDING ALL ELEVEN
SCHOOLS TO ENSURE A SEAMLESS SYSTEM WHEREBY STUDENTS CAN MOVE FROM ONE
PROGRAM TO ANOTHER WITH MINIMAL LOSS OF TIME, CREDIT, OR FINANCIAL RESOURCES
IMPLEMENT REGULATORY CHANGES CONSISTENT WITH DIFFERENTIATED CURRICULA.
WEST VIRGINIA
CURRENTLY LOOKING AT LPN, ADN, BSN, AND MSN PROGRAMS. HAMMERING OUT ALL THEIR COURSE COMMONALITIES AND COMMON PREREQUISITES. PLAN TO HAVE A MEETING OF THE COLLEGE PRESIDENTS IN DECEMBER FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH AN OPTIMISTIC START DATE FOR FALL 2000 OR SPRING 2001.
STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING ARTICULATION shared from Joyce Falco's experience
in Colorado and other states:
CONVENE GROUP OF INTERESTED PERSONS
MEET FREQUENTLY IN THE BEGINNING
INVITE OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS
USE A COMPETENCY FOCUS RATHER THAN COURSE BY COURSE COMPARISONS
IDENTIFY ASSUMPTIONS
IDENTIFY DRIVING/RESTRAINING FORCES
PROMOTE OWNERSHIP THROUGH FREQUENT COMMUNICATION
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT CHANGE IS DIFFICULT
KEEP GOAL OF STUDENT WELFARE AT THE FOREFRONT
DON'T EXPECT TO DEVELOP A PERFECT PLAN