Nurs Educ Perspect 2017 Sep/Oct;38(5):250-254
About the Authors Audrey Marie Beauvais, DNP, MSN, MBA, RN, CNL, is an associate dean and associate professor, Fairfield University Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, Fairfield, Connecticut. Meredith Wallace Kazer, PhD, APRN, FAAN, is dean and professor, Fairfield University Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. Barbara Aronson, PhD, RN, CNE, is a professor and coordinator, EdD in Nursing Education, Southern Connecticut State University Department of Nursing, New Haven. Suzanne E. Conlon, MSN, is a professor and academic chairperson, Gateway Community College Nursing Program, New Haven. Pamela Forte, DNP, RN, is a clinical coordinator, Southern Connecticut State University Department of Nursing. Kathleen S. Fries, PhD, RN, CNE, is -director, Nursing and Allied Health Programs, Norwalk Community College Nursing Program. Judith M. Hahn, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, is with the Yale New Haven Hospital Department of Professional Practice. Russell Hullstrung, MPA, RN, is a director, eLearning Education, Yale New Haven Health Institute for Excellence. Meg Levvis, PhD, RN, is chairperson and an associate professor, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain. Paula McCauley, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CNE, is an associate clinical professor, University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Storrs. Patricia Padula Morgan, PhD, RN, CNE, is chair, Department of Nursing, and associate dean, School of Health and Natural Sciences, University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford. Linda Perfetto, MS, RN, CNE, CNOR, is director of system nursing curricular operations, Connecticut Community Colleges, Hartford. Lisa M. Rebeschi, PhD, RN, CNE, is chairperson and associate professor, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven. Sheila B. Solernou, MSN, RN, is division director, Gateway Community College Division of Allied Health and Nursing, New Haven. Patricia Span, PhD, RNC, CPHQ, is a strategy and learning specialist, Yale New Haven Health Patient Services Administration. Lisa J. Sundean, MSN, MHA, RN, is a PhD and statewide director, Connecticut Nursing Collaborative-Action Coalition, East Berlin. The work of the Connecticut Nursing Collaborative-Action Coalition has been supported by two grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. For more information, contact Dr. Beauvais at
Aim: The purpose of the study was to describe the Connecticut Nursing Collaborative-Action Coalition's work in identifying and addressing gaps between nursing education and practice based on the Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing report.
Background: Massachusetts Nurse of the Future (NOF) Competencies highlight the knowledge, skills, and attitudes/behaviors required for professional nurses. Integrating these concepts into the educational system will prepare the nursing workforce to respond to current/future health care needs and population health issues.
Method: Education and practice partners in four regions conducted a gap analysis of the education to practice transition for new graduate nurses using NOF as a framework for assessment.
Results: Gaps in competencies were similar across regions. However, each organization uniquely addressed curricular gaps to best prepare nurses of the future.
Conclusion: Curriculum improvements will provide students the advantage of being prepared for the rapid changes happening in health care.