THE RN-BSN STUDENT - DEVELOPING A MODEL OF EMPOWERMENT

Nursing practice is being redefined. Today's graduating nurse is pract icing in a tomorrow full of unknowns. The relevancy of traditional nur sing education is being questioned in today's health care climate of c risis. In an attempt to prepare the graduating RN-BSN student to cope with these changes, nurse educators developed a process of empowerment . The framework for this effort was derived from the curriculum revolu tion, adult learning theory and empowerment research. The faculty defi ned empowerment as both an interpersonal process and an outcome. A gra phic model has been created consisting of the four elements of empower ment: collegiality, communication, autonomy and accountability. Learni ng experiences are selected based upon these four elements. Teaching s trategies are identified. Positive changes in student behavior have be en reported anecdotally. The faculty are beginning the next phase: des igning a research project to investigate behavior changes related to t his empowerment model.