Dr. Nora Warshawsky and Ph.D student Arica Brandford published a study on Kentucky’s RN workforce

Dr. Nora Warshawsky, assistant professor in the College of Nursing, and Ph.D student Arica Brandford's study about Kentucky’s RN workforce was published in September’s Journal of Nursing Administration.

Warshawsky’s and Brandford’s “Achieving 80% BSN by 2020: Lessons Learned from Kentucky’s Registered Nurses” aims to understand the educational status and plans of Kentucky’s workforce in advancing nursing educational levels.

After administering an electronic survey to Kentucky’s RNs, they found only 40 percent of Kentucky’s RNs held at least a BSN. The top barriers for those not enrolled in a degree program were lack of perceived benefit, financial concerns, family obligations and planned retirement. Career advancement contributed as the top motivating factor.

Warshawsky is a nationally recognized expert in leadership and management development. She also serves as the Population and Organizational Systems Leadership DNP Track Coordinator for the UK College of Nursing.

Brandford, a Jonas Scholar at UK, is a full-time PhD student. She is a graduate research assistant and works part-time at Easturn Kentucky University and Clarion University. Brandfod holds both a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a juris doctorate.

Part 2 of the article will appear in the November issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration.