Vision
History of SNAC
Idaho Statewide Nursing Articulation Committee Vision 2000
TO PROVIDE THE MOST EFFICIENT AND SEAMLESS NURSING ARTICULATION MODEL IN THE COUNTRY
In September 2000, this vision was accepted by all Idaho institutions at the annual Idaho Nurse Educator Conference.
Since the late 1980’s, nursing education programs in Idaho have been actively promoting articulation and removing barriers to educational mobility. Recently, Idaho nurse educators and service providers collaborated to develop one of the “most efficient and seamless” nursing education articulation models in the country.
The Statewide Nursing Articulation Committee (SNAC) defines articulation as “the process of coordinating all contiguous nursing programs (within Idaho) so that upper division programs build upon knowledge gained in lower division nursing curricula” (Rapson)1.
Public and private Idaho nursing education institutions support the newly developed articulation plan including dimensions of nursing practice. This new articulation plan establishes a mechanism for nurses to smoothly advance their education without unnecessary barriers such as repetition of coursework and potentially increased costs for education. The articulation plan describes dimensions of educational preparation for practical nursing through the Master of Science level.
1 Rapson, M.F. (2000). Statewide nursing articulation model design: Politics or academics. Journal of Nursing Education, 39(7), 294-301.
Historical Overview of SNAC and Nursing Articulation Activities in Idaho
2006 Idaho Statewide Nursing Articulation Plan (I-SNAP) is expanded to include an AD to MS pathway.
2005 SNAC membership adds the director of the new Idaho Nursing Workforce Center. An emphasis is made on the need for nursing supply and demand data from practice and education.
2003 Idaho Statewide Nursing Articulation Plan (I-SNAP) is initially implemented. Two nursing programs pilot a Web-based transition course for LPNs seeking entrance to RN programs.
2002 ICNNE holds two articulation retreats funded through a grant from the Helene Fuld Health Trust and through partial support from in-kind state contributions and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Through these retreats, SNAC members, several nursing students, and representatives from nursing practice and professional organizations develop a new statewide nursing articulation plan (I-SNAP) addressing LPN to Masters education.
2001 ICNNE receives funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Colleagues in Caring Program for a statewide workshop of SNAC members, students, and representatives from clinical practice. The workshop increased knowledge about articulation issues and identified a concept for a grant proposal to the Helene Fuld Health Trust. Dr. Mary Rapson, a national expert in articulation and the national program director of the Colleagues in Caring Project, discusses nursing articulation models in the U.S.
2000 SNAC develops SNAC Vision 2000: “To provide the most efficient & seamless nursing education articulation model in the country.” The vision and mission statements are accepted by all Idaho institutions at the annual Idaho Nurse Educator Conference held in September.
1999 ICNNE Nursing Education Task Force conducts a survey of graduates and students enrolled in all Idaho nursing programs to determine perceived barriers to educational advancement.
1998 Revised LPN to BSN articulation plans are drafted by ISU and LCSC.
1997 SNAC develops an Idaho articulation brochure for the RN to BSN option and distributes the brochure to all Idaho nursing programs.
1996 All Idaho nursing programs approve a mission statement for the Idaho Nurse Educators Association (INE). A distinct mission of INE is “To ensure articulation among the nursing programs to promote quality nursing education in the state of Idaho".
1995-97 SNAC’s LPN to BSN Task Force addresses LPN to BSN articulation. All Idaho nursing programs approve an articulation plan for LPNs seeking entry into BSN programs. The State Board of Education’s Task Force on Nursing Education recommends updating of the 1990 SNAC Report/Recommendations with “Clarification of the linkage(s) between the various professional nursing programs as those programs undergo modification, review, and/or transition.”
1991-92 All Idaho nursing programs approve articulation plans for LPNs seeking entry into ADN programs and for ADNs seeking entry into BSN programs.
1990-91 SNAC develops a framework for statewide articulation for LPN' who graduate from Idaho programs and who are seeking entry into AS or BS nursing programs. Members represent BSU, CSI, ISU, LCSC, NIC, Ricks College, and EITC.
1989-90 SNAC develops a framework for statewide articulation for AD-RNs for entry into BSN programs. Members represented BSU, CSI, ISU, LCSC, NIC, and Ricks College. State Board of Education (SBOE) approves articulation policies in September 1990.
1988 ICNNE discusses transferability of credits among nursing programs and develops a report of competencies for nursing practice. The first annual Idaho Nurse Educator (INE) conference occurs for Idaho public/private nursing programs. The Idaho Statewide Nursing Articulation Committee (SNAC) is formed “in response to requests from RNs and in accordance with SR119.” Funding is provided through the ID Rural Health Education Center.
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