The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flexible Option for Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Completion.

The 2010 "Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health" report from the Institute of Medicine recommended that 80% of registered nurses (RNs) obtain a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree by 2020. Hospitals with BSN nurses have reduced morbidity and mortality. In 2014, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-Extension launched the University of Wisconsin Flexible Option BSN (UW Flex BSN) as an additional model for BSN degree completion, adding to the in-person and online delivery models already being offered.In this article, the authors examine the decision to launch the UW Flex BSN program as a competency-based, time-variable approach to RN-to-BSN degree completion. They discuss the factors contributing to its success (including proactive, wraparound support for students through the use of academic success coaches and regular and substantive interaction with faculty), design and program elements and decisions, and continuing challenges that have yet to be resolved.UW Flex BSN is one version of direct-assessment, competency-based education, and it represents the first of its kind in a public institution for postlicensure BSN degree completion. The program meets all Higher Learning Commission standards and requirements and is grounded in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Baccalaureate Essentials and program quality standards. The UW Flex BSN for degree completion is a successful example of a competency-based, time-variable education model that has been applied in a practice discipline.

An observational study of the secondary effects of a local smoke-free ordinance.

INTRODUCTION: The secondary, sometimes unintended effects of smoke-free ordinances have not been thoroughly evaluated. In this observational study, we evaluated the association of a local ordinance implemented in Madison, Wisconsin, with changes in public disturbances; smoking, drinking, and bar-going behaviors in the general population; and smoking and drinking behaviors among university students. METHODS: We obtained data from 4 sources: police records, key informant interviews, a community survey, and an undergraduate survey. Except for interviews, which we conducted postenactment only, we compared measures before and after the ordinance was put into effect. RESULTS: We found no evidence of association of the ordinance with public disturbances. We found that the ordinance was not associated with changes in smoking rates, drinking rates, or bar-going in the general population, although bar-going decreased among the 16% of the general adult population who smokes (from 84% in 2005 to 70% in 2007, P < .001). Student smoking rates also decreased (from 23% in 2005 to 16% in 2007, P < .001), but student binge drinking did not change. CONCLUSION: The study adds unique information to the evidence base on the effect of smoke-free policies, finding little evidence of their secondary, unintended effects. With the addition of these results to existing evidence, we conclude that the potential health benefits of smoke-free ordinances outweigh the potential harms from unintended effects.

Spatial and temporal aspects of alcohol-related crime in a college town.

OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to clarify crime "movement" through the city of Madison to focus efforts to address consequences of student drinking. The authors examined all crime reported by police during the 2003 year. METHODS: Using geographical information system (GIS) mapping and 2003 crime data from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the city of Madison, the authors investigated the relationships among high-density alcohol outlets and various city neighborhoods. RESULTS: Different categories of crime showed different temporal and spatial patterns: Serious crimes peaked between 2 and 3AM, coinciding with bar closing time. Less serious crimes peaked between 11PM and midnight. Reports of vandalism peaked in the morning and afternoon. "Hotspots" for different crimes moved throughout the downtown. Results were consistent with problems associated with high-risk student drinking in college communities. CONCLUSION: These results and maps generated by GIS led directly to changes made by city and university officials to address high-risk drinking.