At a glance
The Alfred State Associate of Science in nursing and the Alfred State Bachelor of Science in nursing programs, partners in the first APIN grant received by the Foundation of New York State Nurses in 2012, will continue as partners in the new grant. Lisa Harmon, PhD, RN, CNE, chair of the ASN and BSN nursing programs at Alfred State will lead the nursing programs’ participation in the new grant project.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has announced that New York has been chosen to receive a $300,000, two-year grant in Phase II of its Academic Progression in Nursing program (APIN). The grant, awarded to the Foundation of New York State Nurses, will support the NYS Future of Nursing Action Coalition’s efforts to implement the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation that 80 percent of practicing registered nurses hold the baccalaureate degree by 2020.
The Alfred State Associate of Science in nursing and the Alfred State Bachelor of Science in nursing programs, partners in the first APIN grant received by the Foundation of New York State Nurses in 2012, will continue as partners in the new grant. Lisa Harmon, PhD, RN, CNE, chair of the ASN and BSN nursing programs at Alfred State will lead the nursing programs’ participation in the new grant project. The New York project provides for simultaneous admission to a baccalaureate nursing program and an associate degree nursing program. Students in these programs, known as the 1+2+1 model, are eligible for licensure as an RN at the end of the third year upon completion of the associate degree program.
“The 1+2+1 AD-BS model has set a national standard of excellence for advancing the education of nurses. Through the dedicated work of the leadership and collaborative partners in APIN Phase I, admissions have increased by 23 percent in one year’s time. In addition, more employers are offering not only tuition reimbursement for RNs continuing their education, but other incentives such as flexible hours, pay differential and on-site classes,” stated Deborah Elliott, RN, MBA, executive director of the Foundation of New York State Nurses and project director of the grant project.
“We are delighted to be able to offer this progressive model of nursing education at Alfred State. During the first year in the nursing program, students take general education courses as well as anatomy and physiology I and II. In years two and three, they concentrate on core nursing course work, earn the associate degree, and take their licensing NCLEX exam. Upon passing, they can work as an RN while they finish their BS degree in the fourth and final year, which is all online, either at home or on campus. This is a student-centered model that equips the student for success in both the collegiate as well as employment venues,” states Harmon.
Eight other states - California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington - will also receive Phase II APIN grants. The grants will allow these states to continue working with academic institutions and employers to expand their work to help nurses to obtain higher degrees. This is essential to enable nurses to provide evidence-based care, perform research and assume higher practice, education and administrative leadership roles, thus promoting health and ensuring quality care.
The Center for Nursing at the Foundation of New York State Nurses, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to preserving quality nursing and health care now and in the future.