Download in PDF format 
The publication
that defines the essential elements of baccalaureate education
for professional nursing practice is now available from AACN.
The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional
Nursing Practice provides an important framework for designing
and assessing baccalaureate education programs for professional
nursing practice. This 47-page publication is the result of
a consensus-building process that included nursing educators,
clinicians, executives, and researchers, as well as numerous
nursing organizations.
In the
baccalaureate Essentials, you will find…
- The
role of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse
- Professional
values for baccalaureate nursing education
- An
outline of essential curriculum contents
- Baccalaureate
core competencies and knowledge
- Suggested
teaching strategies
…And
much more!
How
to Order
Copies
of The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional
Nursing Practice are available for $9 each (AACN members),
$12 (nonmembers), plus shipping. Bulk rates are also available
- please inquire at ccrowell@aacn.nche.edu.
To order, please use the Publications
Order Form or visit the Publications
Catalog.
Background
In 1986, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
membership endorsed the document, Essentials of College
and University Education for Professional Nursing, which
represented the first national effort to define the essential
knowledge, values, and professional behaviors expected of
the baccalaureate nursing graduate. This document services
as a framework for baccalaureate nursing education and has
been used by thousands of baccalaureate nursing educators
to develop, define, and revise nursing curricula.
In 1995,
the AACN Board of Directors established a task force to review
the 1986 Essentials document and, if needed, recommend
revisions. Following review of the literature and consideration
of changes occurring in health care, higher education, and
health professional education, it was apparent to the task
force that a major revision of the 1986 Essentials
document was necessary. To that end, a two-phase process was
used to provide interdisciplinary input and to develop consensus
from the nursing community regarding the new document.
In the
first phase, the task force met with 20 individuals in two
invitational roundtable meetings. Participants were selected
on the basis of their expertise in areas relevant to nursing
now and for the foreseeable future. These areas included cultural/ethnic
diversity, ethics, genetics, gerontology, infectious diseases,
health care financing, interdisciplinary practice, integrated
health care delivery, liberal education, regulation, and rural
health. Each roundtable panel comprised a strong interdisciplinary
team, half of whose participants were nurses. Participants
were asked to identify, from their own perspectives, the anticipated
role of the professional nurse in the future health care system
and the critical competencies needed to function in this role.
These wide-ranging and lively discussions served as the basis
for the development of a draft document that was shared with
nursing professionals in the next phase.
Following
the roundtable meetings, a series of regional meetings was
convened to build consensus about the statements of role,
essential competencies, core knowledge and professional values.
Nurse educators, clinicians, administrators, and researchers-representing
a range of nursing programs, specialties, and organizations-discussed,
debated, and made recommendations regarding the draft document.
Over 770 individuals, representing 49 states, the District
of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, participated in the consensus-building
process. In addition, 349 schools of nursing, 23 professional
organizations, and 19 health care delivery systems were represented.
The participation of a range of nursing organizations was
sought intentionally to ensure a broad base of nursing input.
Nursing administrators and clinicians were included to ensure
that the recommendations for nursing education would address
future health care practice.
Purpose
of the Document
This document is designed to provide direction for the preparation
of professional nurses for practice into the 21st century.
It has been written primarily for baccalaureate nursing educators
and nurse executives, but also will be of interest to others
involved in employing nurses throughout the health care system.
The document is intended to describe what can be expected
of new nurses at the time of graduation from baccalaureate-degree
nursing programs.
Professional
nursing education is outlined in the Essentials as
having five components:
- Liberal
Education
- Professional
Values
- Core
Competencies
- Core
Knowledge; and
- Role
Development
In addition
to definitions of the essential components in these areas,
the Essentials includes a description of the professional
nursing role and suggestions for teaching methodologies and
strategies.
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