Project Accomplishments:

To prepare and enable nurses to lead change to advance health, the project aimed to engage, encourage, and empower nurses to lead change in redesigning health care. Specific goals were to 1) increase nurse participation in health care related boards and community organizations; 2) develop a Young Leaders program for BSN students; 3) develop an awards program recognizing exceptional nurse leaders under the age of 40 years; and 4) identify leadership development opportunities and develop strategies to encourage participation by Arkansas nurses.

In addition, the project aimed to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. Specific goals were to 1) identify the current state of all nursing programs and requirements; 2) increase the accessibility of information regarding state nursing programs and financial opportunities to the general public; 3) improve awareness and knowledge regarding the IOM Future of Nursing report with intent of increasing nurses’ knowledge about the need for educational advancement; 4) promote BSN progression for LPNs and RNs with non-BSN degrees; and 5) promote the adaptation of seamless progression to BSN and higher degrees in current nursing programs with a plan to increase the diversity of graduates.