Solving the Nursing Shortage in Delaware, a report published by the Delaware Health Care Commission Committee on Nursing Workforce Supply, states that BSN-educated RNs are associated with higher quality care and more satisfied patients. Although the number of BSN-educated RNs in Delaware has been increasing, The Status of Nursing in the State of Delaware: A Second Look, reports that only 37% of RNs in the state hold a BSN.
To address this, the Delaware Action Coalition has created a strong articulation agreement among Delaware nursing programs. This agreement creates consistent curricula among all Delaware nursing programs, allowing RNs to easily find coordinated nursing education programs, such as the RN to BSN program. In turn, this allows ADN-educated RNs to easily transition into BSN completion programs.
Along with this, Solving the Nursing Shortage in Delaware calls for more RN scholarships, loan repayment programs, and tuition reimbursement programs so as to enable RNs to afford coordinated nursing education programs.
In response to this, Delaware hospitals are providing support and assistance programs to their RN staff members. For instance, one of the largest employers of RNs in Delaware, Bayhealth, supports all RNs enrolling in RN to BSN programs, offering tuition reimbursements to all qualified, employed RNs.
BSN-education can help RNs find jobs in higher level nursing fields, such as education and nurse management. Listed below are just a few of the job opportunities open to BSN-educated RNs in Delaware in February 2015:
- FT Operating Room Nurse Manager – Delaware Surgery Center, Dover
- Manager of Medical & Clinical Operations – UnitedHealth Group, Dover
- Clinical Educator – Bayhealth Medical Center, Dover
- RN Clinical Educator (Women’s Health) – Beebe Medical Center, Lewes
With the advanced opportunities and potential for increased nursing excellence, Delaware hospitals and colleges are making it easy for RNs to return to school, with many providing tuition assistance and flexible schedules to employed RNs.
Online and Campus-Based RN to BSN Programs in Delaware
RN to BSN programs in Delaware are available as flexible, online programs designed to meet a working RN’s needs. The flexibility of online courses will allow RNs with busy schedules to advance their education while meeting the obligations of their current work and personal schedules.
To enroll in a Delaware RN to BSN program, applicants will generally want to meet the following minimum admissions requirements:
- Hold Associates Degree in Nursing
- Have a 2.5 GPA in ADN
- Hold Current, Unencumbered, Delaware RN License
Besides online programs, Delaware Board of Nursing-approved BSN programs at campus locations can be found in the following cities:
- Dover
- Newark
How RN to BSN Programs are Structured
Most Delaware RN to BSN programs will accept up to 30 credits from an applicant’s previous ADN program.
After this, RNs enrolled in RN to BSN programs will take core, or general, credits and baccalaureate-level nursing credits, with most RN to BSN programs offering 100% of these credits online. In this way, the programs build on established knowledge:
RN to BSN programs will generally include the following core nursing courses.
- Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing
- Pathophysiology
- Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
- Critical Issues in Health Care
- Wellness and Health Assessment
- Research Concepts in Health Care
- Topics in Healthcare Delivery
- Leadership and Management in Health Organizations
- Community Health Nursing
Any necessary BSN clinical hours may be completed at health clinics, hospitals, or educational institutes that support clinical rotations. Once such hospital is Christiana Care Hospital, located in Newark.
Supporting RNs as They Pursue RN-BSN Programs
To help RNs return to school to complete BSN programs, many of Delaware’s hospitals are offering assistance to employees, creating an environment in which education is easily accessible.
Bay Health – Dover
Bay Health is the large umbrella under which many Delaware hospitals and facilities are found, including Kent General Hospital, Millford Memorial hospital, Middletown Medical Center, and more. These facilities offer state-of-the-art equipment for all types of medical services. Employed RNs are encouraged to return to school and achieve their baccalaureate degree through Bay Health’s tuition reimbursement plan.
Christiana Hospital – Newark
Christiana Hospital has more than 100 years of experience in post-graduate medical education, and in that, it has become a nationally recognized academic and community hospital. Believing strongly in the role of nurses within hospitals, this Magnet-recognized hospital offers employed RNs access to a mentorship program, a clinical ladder, an on-site BSN program, tuition assistance, and scholarships.
Saint Francis Hospital – Wilmington
A personal, family-oriented hospital, Saint Francis is serious about nursing excellence. In Satin Francis’s dedication to advanced education, they offer tuition reimbursement benefits up to $4,200 annually for full-time employees.
Beebe Medical Center – Lewes
Beebe Medical Center is consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the nation, with U.S. News & World Report noting it among the top three best hospitals in Delaware. Beebe offers a great tuition reimbursement program, providing assistance to eligible employees up to $5,000 per year for full-time employees.
Nanticoke Memorial Hospital – Seaford
Recognized as one of the “Best 150 Places to Work in Healthcare” by Becker’s Hospital Review, Nanticoke is a full-service community hospital with offices in Seaford, Bridgeville, Laurel and Georgetown. This hospital offers a long list of benefits for nurses, including tuition reimbursement for RNs looking to obtain a BSN.