The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is the first degree many nurses receive. It meets the needs of students who wish to complete their education in stages, who wish to become an RN prior to completing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or may not have the time or financial resources to go into a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

This 2-year Associate of Science in Nursing option prepares students to take National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses — which they must pass in order to work as registered nurses.

AACN Essentials

In 2021 the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) defined new essential competencies for entry-level and advanced-level professional nursing education programs. The competencies are available for free download here, or may be purchased as publications for faculty as programs consider these in nursing curricula.

Healthy People 2020 Learning Modules

The 18 Healthy People 2020 learning modules include objectives, lecture materials, learning activities, instructor guides, and quizzes. Free Continuing Education credits are also provided for completion of the learning modules.

Institute of Healthcare Improvement Open School

The Institute of Healthcare Improvement Open School offers a growing catalog of online courses on improvement capability, patient safety, triple aim for populations, person- and family-centered care, leadership, and quality, cost, and value. All the courses are free for students, residents, and faculty. Register online to access these free resources. One of the IHI Open School’s goals is for schools and organizations around the world to integrate the courses into their curricula and training programs, giving learners the opportunity to gain these crucial skills that will help them become change agents in health care.

Here is a QSEN link that gives ideas on how to use the IHI Open School

Nurse of the Future

The Nurse of the Future (NOF) from the Massachusetts Department of Education website gives you a list of competencies similar to QSEN and NLN. The linked PDF file provides learning activities on how to achieve the competencies for RN students.

National League for Nursing

The National League for Nursing Teaching Resources for Nursing Programs. 

QSEN Institute

Do a search on QSEN Institute’s Teaching Strategies for specific learning activities that measure QSEN competencies.

Videos to use in your classroom from the QSEN website.