Welcome to the Nursing Academic Progression online Toolkit! This website contains important resources for anyone interested in academic progression for nurses.

This toolkit is made possible through funding provided by the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing and a Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future grant from the Northwest Health Foundation, in conjunction with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

School Again Resources
Five nurses who returned to school and successfully completed a Bachelors of Science degree in nursing share their experiences.  They answer these important questions:

• What motivated you to go back to school?
• What were the challenges?
• What kept you going?
• What does having a BSN mean to you?
• What insights can you offer to other nurses? 

The School Again video can be used by employers, schools, and professional organizations to provide stories of inspiration for nurses who want and need to continue with their formal education. The video can be used alone or as part of a larger presentation related to academic progression for nurses.

The School Again video recording is free for anyone to use with the following attribution:

"The School Again video recording is made possible through funding provided by the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing and a Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future grant from the Northwest Health Foundation, in conjunction with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This video is Copyright 2012, Richmond Memorial Health Foundation and is used with permission." 

Additional Academic Progression Resources

This page includes links to additional academic progression resources. This list does not include all resources available but is intended to get you started.

Partnerships for Progression: Inspiration for Aspirations Project

• Survey Results Current RN-BSN Students (August 2012)
• Interview Results Virginia Nursing Programs (August 2012)

Models of Academic Progression: What's Out There, What Works?
Partners Investing in Nursing's Future: Partnerships for Progression: Inspiration for Aspirations Conference held August 29, 2012, Staunton, VA

• Concurrent Enrollment: A Quicker Path to the BSN for Selected Associate Degree Students, Old Dominion University School of Nursing.
• Easement into a University Environment, University of Virginia and Germana Community College
• Private College Model for Seamless Transition: Pre-licensure PN Program to Doctorally Prepared Nurse, Fortis College
• RN to BSN Guaranteed Admission Agreement Between Virginia Community College System and Western Governors University
• RN-BSN Partnership Between Liberty University and Centra
• The Momentum Program, Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University

Academic Progression: Tools for Success
Partners Investing in Nursing's Future: Partnerships for Progression: Inspiration for Aspirations conference held April 29, 2013, Staunton, VA

• Evidence Based Education Progression in Nursing, Implications for Policy and Leadership, presented by: Liana Orsolini-Hain, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, 2011-2012 RWJF Health Policy Fellow, Washington, DC
• Effective Partnerships, presented by Judith Woodruff, JD, Program Director, Health Workforce, Northwest Health Foundation

Resources from the Virginia Action Coalition

• Forecasting and Strategy Tool ©, Deborah T. Zimmermann, DNP, RN, NEA-BC and Jeannette A. Cain, BS, MSM, RN, CPHQ. VCU Health System
• Forecasting and Strategy Tool ©, Instructions, Deborah T. Zimmermann, DNP, RN, NEA-BC and Jeannette A. Cain, BS, MSM, RN, CPHQ. VCU Health System
• Nursing Programs in Virginia (March 2013)
• (Virginia) Hospital Survey Results, Educational Progression Supports (2012)

Web-based Resources for Academic Progression

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing White Paper: Expectations for Practice Experiences in the RN to Baccalaureate Curriculum
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing/ National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing - Academic Progression Brochure
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing/ National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing - Academic Progression Brochure order form
• American Association of Community Colleges: Research and Studies in Nursing
  American Nurses Association (Raines. C.F., Taglaireni, M.E., (Sept. 30, 2008) "Career Pathways in Nursing: Entry Points and Academic Progression" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing; Vol 13 No 3 Manuscript 1.)
• Future of Nursing Campaign for Action (Directory of Resources: Advancing Education Transformation)?
• Future of Nursing Campaign for Action, Navigating Academic Progression Webinar, slides (November 8, 2012)
• Joint Statement on Academic Progression for Nursing Students and Graduates
• National League for Nursing News release (October 11, 2012)
• National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing/ American Association of Colleges of Nursing: Webinar series highlighting Academic Progression
• Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future (PIN)
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website search results for academic progression