Abstract
BackgroundDespite the global rise in the number of nurses upgrading from Registered Nursing (RN) to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), studies have indicated that successful role transition is difficult once the nurses return to their previous workplaces. Guided by the Transitional Theory, this study investigates the factors that influence the transition from basic to advanced roles among RN to BSN nurses in Uganda, Africa.MethodsThis study employed a descriptive correlational design. Using convenience sampling, fifty-one (51) RN to BSN nurses completed the semi-structured questionnaires.ResultsAll the study participants (100%) described themselves as having transitioned from RN to BSN role. In bivariate linear regression, personal factors that were found to predict successful role transition included holding a managerial role, being aware and prepared for the role transition, and positive role transition experiences. Role transition motivators that predicted successful role transition included: job promotion, internal desire for self-development, and career development. One community factor – that is the support of doctors/physicians during the RN to BSN transition – predicted unsuccessful role transition. Societal factors deterring successful role transition included lack of support from other colleagues and the perception that BSN learning was not applicable to the RN clinical setting. In multivariate linear regression, only sub-scales of personal factors such as advanced skills mastery and positive personal experiences predicted successful role transition.ConclusionThe study suggests that personal factors influence successful role transition more than external factors.
Highlights
Despite the global rise in the number of nurses upgrading from Registered Nursing (RN) to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), studies have indicated that successful role transition is difficult once the nurses return to their previous workplaces
The focus of the study is on factors that influence successful transition from basic roles to advanced roles (BSN-roles of the BSN (RN) roles) among registered nurses (RNs) who previously held a diploma but upgraded and acquired a degree in nursing
Results showed that BSN nurses who enrolled for the course with the desire to develop their career, or had an internal desire for self-development, or had a desire for job promotion were more likely to have a successful role transition and these findings were unique to this study
Summary
Despite the global rise in the number of nurses upgrading from Registered Nursing (RN) to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), studies have indicated that successful role transition is difficult once the nurses return to their previous workplaces. The increase in nurses transitioning from RN to BSN has been documented more in developed countries such as those in North America than in developing countries like Uganda. In Africa, one study indicated that due to increased private sector interest and investment in nursing education, 32% of the sub-Saharan countries had established the bachelor of nursing program by 2005 [4, 5]. Comprehensive data on the output of RN to BSN from the training institutions, in sub-Saharan Africa (including Uganda), is difficult to obtain [5]
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