The document outlines the 9 essential outcomes for baccalaureate nursing programs as defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). It lists each essential along with the corresponding program learning outcome and gives examples of course content and evaluation strategies used to teach the outcomes. The essentials cover topics such as liberal education, leadership, evidence-based practice, informatics, healthcare policy, interprofessional collaboration, population health, professionalism, and baccalaureate generalist nursing practice.

1. AACN Essential BSN Program Outcomes Course Course Content matching the Essentials/PLOs Evaluation Strategies
Essential I:
Liberal Educationfor
Baccalaureate
GeneralistNursing
Practice
Integrate a personal philosophyinto
nursingpractice and service to
others,basedonthe uniqueness,
worth,dignityanddiversityof
humanbeings.
Essential II:Basic
Organizational and
SystemsLeadership
for QualityCare and
PatientSafety
Synthesize conceptsof leadership,
qualityimprovementandsafetyin
the provisionof evidence-based,
personcenteredcare
Essential III:
Scholarshipfor
Evidence-Based
Practice
Assess,plan,implementand
evaluate professional nursing
practice throughthe integrationof
scientificevidence,andthe
applicationof clinical judgement.
Essential IV:
Information
Managementand
Applicationof
PatientCare
Technology
Utilize informaticsandotherpatient
care technologiestoinform,
improve,andcreate an environment
for safe andeffective deliveryof
qualitynursingcare.
Essential V:
Healthcare Policy,
Finance,and
Regulatory
Environments
Advocate forpatient’srightsusing
an understandingof healthcare
systems,regulationpolicies,and
scope of practice.
Essential VI:
Interprofessional
Communicationand
Collaborationfor
ImprovingPatient
HealthOutcomes
Applyinterprofessional
communicationandcollaborationto
deliversafe,evidence-based,person
centeredcare.

2. Essential VII:Clinical
Preventionand
PopulationHealth
Synthesize evidencetopromote
healthandpreventdisease in
individuals, families,communities,
and populationsacrossthe lifespan.
Essential VIII:
Professionalismand
ProfessionalValues
Demonstrate responsible and
accountable behaviorthatreflects
standardsof professional nursing
practice.
Essential IX:
Baccalaureate
GeneralistNursing
Practice
Engage in critical thinking,ethical
reasoningandlifelonglearningto
supportexcellence inprofessional
nursingpractice.