For too many decades the debate over entry into practice created a divide between associate and bachelor’s degree nursing faculty, hindering any substantive nursing education reform.  Two landmark publications by the IOM (2011) and Benner et al. (2010), together with compelling research that links a higher BSN workforce to better patient outcomes (Aiken et al., 2003), have provided the impetus to act. At last, educators recognize that by embracing the richness of both ADN and BSN education programs, they can forge effective, inclusive partnerships that can help achieve the IOM’s 80% BSN by 2020 recommendation.  Affordable ADN-BSN partnership education models also serve to improve access to the BSN credential and contribute to a more diverse nursing workforce.

CCBC’s ATB Nursing Degree Option in partnership with Frostburg State, Notre Dame of Maryland, Stevenson and Towson Universities is one example of an innovative dual enrollment nursing education model.  It is a time and cost effective model that is providing access to the BSN credential to a whole new population of students, many of whom are eager to embrace this opportunity.