Amplified by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reports that 29% of nurses across all license types are considering leaving the profession. With the demand for quality health care rising, there is an urgent need to address this ongoing shortage. OpenStax, an educational initiative of nonprofit Rice University and the largest publisher of open educational resources (OER), in partnership with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), has completed the publication of its OER Nursing Essentials (O.N.E.) project to help.
Depending on the required materials instructors assign, nursing textbooks alone can cost a student between $500-$900 per semester, a key consideration for many hoping to receive a nursing education. The O.N.E. project reduces the financial barriers students face when receiving a nursing education through the publication of free, expertly written course materials with aligned student and instructor resources. In total, the project offers eight peer-reviewed textbooks available through OpenStax. The series includes “Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing,” “Population Health for Nurses,” “Nutrition for Nurses,” “Pharmacology for Nurses,” “Clinical Nursing Skills,” “Fundamentals of Nursing,” “Maternal-Newborn Nursing” and “Medical-Surgical Nursing” (preview currently available for the “Medical-Surgical Nursing” textbook with full volume available in early October).
“We believe the publication of free peer-reviewed nursing materials is essential to open the doors for students who wish to attend nursing school and support these essential areas. The reality is many reconsider their choice due to the high and rising costs of course materials,” said Anthony Palmiotto, director of higher education at OpenStax. “By eliminating this high barrier to entry and working closely with nurse educators and industry experts to develop the materials, we are helping to grow the number of qualified nurses to meet the rising demand for care.”
Adding to the cost of course materials for nursing students is changing regulations for licensure that nurse educators must implement. Nurse educators are quickly adapting to changes in the Essentials curriculum, the foundation for nursing education. The NCLEX exam, required to receive certification in any nursing field, has also changed to match the curricular shifts.
“We developed and wrote these materials to reflect and educate students on the most current and relevant evidence-based practice in nursing with alignment to core standards and support for certification exams. The thoughtful selection of examples, scenarios and competencies in these materials reflects who our students are and the communities they will serve. This fosters a supportive learning environment, enhancing engagement and understanding for all learners,” said senior contributing author Lindsay Draper, DNP, MSN/MBA, CNE, RN-BC, an associate professor and the director of faculty credentialing, compliance and special initiatives at University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s School of Nursing.
Excitement around the potential impact of the O.N.E. project was evident during the virtual Open Nursing Education Summit hosted by OpenStax and THECB in February 2024. More than 1,000 nurse educators and industry experts registered for sessions to learn from prominent figures in nursing education and gain insights into leveraging openly licensed resources.
“The publication of these resources demonstrates the flexibility and responsiveness that open educational resources can bring to the table in addressing today’s fast-changing higher education needs. Identifying the needs of both students and the workforce and developing free, comprehensive resources that streamline the curriculum and create opportunities for students, the O.N.E. project has become the blueprint for OER,” said Michelle Singh, assistant commissioner of digital learning at THECB.
OpenStax’s free and open nursing series has rapidly gained popularity. To date, 65 institutions have adopted various titles from the series for their fall courses, reaching more than 5,000 students. As usage continues to grow, OpenStax aims to expand its reach to even more students worldwide. The open licensing model enables instructors and institutions to build upon the existing learning materials such as incorporating interactive activities, relevant examples and opportunities for deeper skill development.
To access any of the free nursing education titles and resources, click here.