Variations in nursing baccalaureate education and 30-day inpatient surgical mortality

Abstract

BackgroundIn 2010, the IOM recommended an increase in the proportion of bachelor's-prepared (BSN) nurses to 80% by 2020. This goal was largely based on evidence linking hospitals with higher proportions of BSN nurses to better patient outcomes. Though, evidence is lacking on whether outcomes differ by a hospital's composition of initial BSN and transitional RN-to-BSN nurses. PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine whether risk-adjusted odds of surgical mortality are associated with a hospital's proportion of initial BSN and transitional RN-to-BSN nurses. MethodsLogistic regression models were used to analyze cross-sectional data of general surgical patients, nurses, and hospitals in four large states in 2015 to 2016. FindingsHigher hospital proportions of BSN nurses, regardless of educational pathway, are associated with lower odds of 30-day inpatient surgical mortality. DiscussionFindings support promoting multiple BSN educational pathways to reach the IOM's recommendation of at least an 80% BSN workforce.