title: Students' lived experience in an associate's degree to baccalaureate degree continuation program: opening doors, opening eyes, opening minds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Major nursing organizations, federal agencies, and researchers are recommending that all nurses be educated to at least the baccalaureate level.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article reports the results of a qualitative study of the experiences of students enrolled in a direct associate's degree to baccalaureate degree nursing program. Based on multiple small group interviews conducted during an 18-month period, a multistep interpretive analytic process was used that ultimately described themes within a holistic view of the phenomenon.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed an overarching theme of transformative change over time, centered within the "place" of the university.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggested that there are differences beyond additional coursework that describe a transformative process in associate's degree to baccalaureate degree education. An atmosphere, or "space created," for reflection on learning is significant to consider in the development of education programs.
authors.affiliation: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, USA. susan.mcniesh@sjsu.edu
authors.forename: Susan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: McNiesh
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Deepika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goyal
authors.forename: Lynette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Apen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D004507:Education, Nursing, Associate; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States