Advancing Careers, Strengthening Care: ASN to BSN Program Update
A first-of-its-kind partnership between Valley Children’s and Fresno State addresses the longstanding nursing shortage problem in the Central Valley, home to 4.3 million people. Today, the 18-month-long ASN to BSN Pathway Program has moved from vision to reality and the results from its inaugural year demonstrate meaningful progress.
“ASN to BSN” was developed to support associate‑degree nurses while they continue working full‑time, enrolled its first cohort of 15 nurses shortly after the program’s announcement. These participants received full tuition coverage, professional support and an especially innovative benefit: paid study time embedded directly into their schedules. Rather than fitting coursework into scarce personal hours, each nurse is given one paid shift per pay period dedicated solely to education. Early feedback has affirmed the model’s power.
“The allotted study time lets participants balance their work and study commitments effectively,” said Vicky Tilton, Valley Children’s vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer. “This presents a unique opportunity for nurses to further their education, expand their skillset and advance their career right here at Valley Children’s, with direct support and assistance.”
She noted that coursework requirements vary based on each nurse’s academic history, but most complete the program within three semesters.
Implementing a first‑of‑its‑kind program came with challenges, including balancing accessibility, staffing needs and maintaining high‑quality learning experiences, but Valley Children’s deliberately structured the program to support retention and long‑term workforce development.
This year also marks the program’s expansion beyond foundational implementation. With strong engagement from participants and continued collaboration with Fresno State, Valley Children’s is now planning for annual cohorts and exploring the potential for additional degree pathways as clinical capacity, faculty availability and facility resources allow.
"As a university, we really wanted to respond to the Valley's nursing workforce needs, while also addressing the ongoing nursing shortage," said Kara Zografos, DrPH, MPH, dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Fresno State. "This program is one of the ways in which we've been able to do that.”
Along with improving retention rates by having students work locally, research shows that bachelor’s-prepared nurses contribute to better patient outcomes, Zografos explained.
“We see fewer hospital admissions and shorter hospital stays because these nurses have the advanced skills needed to support the Valley’s emerging healthcare needs,” she said.
Along with improving retention rates by having students work locally, research shows that bachelor’s prepared nurses also produce better patient outcomes, Zografos explained.
"We see reduced hospital admissions, we see reduced stays in the hospital and overall, these candidates are better equipped to handle the emerging healthcare needs in our Valley," she said.
The program’s impact is already felt by nurses like Perioperative Coordinator Andrea Carr. “We get a day during the pay period that’s allotted to education, so I’m not trying to stress about taking a day off when I’ve got a test coming up,” she said. “I get that day built in.”
As this initiative matures, Valley Children’s remains committed to investing in nurses, strengthening career pathways and shaping a more resilient pediatric workforce for years to come.
