Operation BSN Teams WSU Vancouver with Providence Health Systems to Educate Working Nurses

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Twenty working registered nurses from Providence Health Systems hospitals in Oregon have just completed their first semester of courses toward a bachelor of science in nursing at Washington State University Vancouver. Their tuition was completely covered by their employer, who also made sure their schedules were cleared to attend one full day of classes each week.

“Operation BSN” is a partnership educational program between WSU Vancouver and Providence that has been more than two years in the making.

“Providence was looking for a way to help working nurses further their education, which could only benefit the quality of care they are able to offer,” said Renee Hoeksel, WSU Vancouver professor of nursing.  “These are truly high-caliber professionals already. They work in many specialties, and have been on the job for five to 15 years. Some of them have not been in a classroom in more than 10 years.”

“I was excited about the opportunity to get my BSN after 19 years of nursing,” said Operation BSN student Sharon Carver. “School is a whole different experience with the computer technology, but it is working out great.”

Providence staff selected the participating nurses from more than 110 applications from seven area hospitals. WSU Vancouver staff worked with those selected to insure they had the proper transcripts and course prerequisites in time for admission.

In designing the program, Providence sought a BSN completion curriculum taking no more than one year. WSU Vancouver provides this program with a specific schedule designed for Operation BSN students, accommodating the demands on working nurses.

Nurses in the Operation BSN program attend classes all day, one day per week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In exchange for having tuition paid in full, the nurses incur a two-year employment obligation with Providence. The current students will complete their BSNs in August 2007.

“The hospitals have committed to making sure there are no scheduling conflicts, including late night shifts the night before or the night after class day,” said Hoeksel. “Many of the first group are already expressing an interest in going straight on to their master’s degree.”

“I had been wanting to get a BSN for a long time; having the opportunity to have my employer pay for it has been an amazing experience,“ said student and nurse Teryl Clendenin. “The program is geared towards people in the work force. I expected to be treated like a student, but I am treated like a professional. It is a respectful learning environment.”

Providence offers this program to help “retain working nurses where they work,” according to Deborah Burton, Providence Regional Director of Nursing Education and Performance. “WSU Vancouver has been such a great partner for us in meeting the requirements of both furthering nurses’ education, and meeting their schedules.”

For more information on the WSU Vancouver College of Nursing, visit www.vancouver.wsu.edu/programs/nurs/home.html. WSU Vancouver offers 14 bachelor’s and nine master’s degrees in more than 35 fields of study. The campus is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205. Visit WSU Vancouver on the Web at www.vancouver.wsu.edu.

Registered nurses from seven area Providence Health Systems hospitals gather in a classroom at Washington State University Vancouver where they are students in the Operation BSN program.
Photo courtesy Providence Health Systems