OADN Research
Welcome to the new OADN Research Hub. Stay tuned for more updates in 2025 including opportunities to participate, contribute to and get support for your own research.
Data & Research in Associate Degree Nursing Education
Background
Data and research are vital for demonstrating the value of associate degree nursing (ADN) programs and the critical role of ADN faculty. By analyzing student outcomes alongside faculty data—such as shortages, compensation gaps, and workload challenges—programs can build evidence-based arguments that drive policy decisions and secure targeted funding. Highlighting the direct impact of well-supported faculty on student success and workforce readiness strengthens advocacy efforts, ensuring ADN programs remain equipped to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare system.
The OADN Research Committee manages the collection, collation, and analysis of ADN data in accordance with the following priority research areas established by the OADN Board of Directors:
- Nursing Program Administration
- Student Applications & Enrollment
- Student Graduation & Pass Rates
- Faculty Recruitment, Retention & Compensation
The Committee was established to identify, support, and conduct academic research proposals critical to associate degree nursing research. It carries out this mission by identifying and reviewing current research being conducted to demonstrate the value of associate degree nursing, as well as what new research should be considered. The Committee makes annual recommendations to the Board of Directors on the effectiveness of research strategies and priorities.
OADN: Supporting Research and Our Members
OADN is committed to advancing research as part of our mission to support associate degree nursing education, the careers of our members, and the nursing workforce. This commitment is also practical and deeply rooted in OADN’s support of our members’ professional and personal growth.
How OADN Members Can Benefit & Contribute
- Leverage these data when advocating for Associate Degree Nursing at the institutional, state, and national levels.
- Use the data and analysis from these efforts towards your own original research.
- Attending forthcoming webinars, conversations and additional online community events we’ll be hosting in 2025.
- Volunteering with the research committee! Get in touch if you’d like to help.
- Participate in your fellow nurse educators’ surveys and original research distributed through OADN. Your participation in these IRB-approved studies helps drive evidence-based solutions, professional growth, and continued recognition of the critical role of ADN programs.
Research Highlights
Fast Facts
The Committee has developed an initial set of “Fast Facts” (see below) from each of the priority topic areas. OADN members are encouraged to reuse this data to inform their own original research. Each visualization is interactive and available for download directly under the graphic.
Fast Fact: Nursing Program Administration
Fast Facts: Student Applications & Enrollment
Fast Facts: Student Graduation & Pass Rates
Fast Fact: Faculty Recruitment, Retention & Compensation
Downloads
In addition to “Fast Facts” we are providing a few key journal articles and presentations that draw from OADN-supported research and analysis.
Nursing Program Administration
Nursing Programs 2024 Survey Results (document coming soon)
Summary: This survey includes responses from over 350 nursing programs. OADN Annual Surveys contributing to this report were referenced in the following NCSBN Environmental Scans from: 2023, 2024, 2025
Student Applications & Enrollment
Student Applications & Enrollment (document coming soon – Members Only)
Summary: A consolidated presentation of a variety of application and enrollment fast facts.
Student Graduation & Pass Rates
Student Enrollment & Graduation Presentation (document coming soon – Members Only)
Summary: A consolidated presentation of a variety of graduation and pass rate fast facts.
Faculty Recruitment, Retention & Compensation
Staffing and Faculty Compensation in Associate Degree Nursing Education Programs
Summary: The nursing shortage is exacerbated by challenges in nursing education programs, notably a lack of faculty. Associate degree programs are crucial in mitigating this shortage, yet their staffing and compensation remains understudied.
2023 Data: Citation: Mizerek, E., & Wiegand, K. (2025). Second annual report on staffing and faculty compensation in associate degree nursing education programs: 2023 survey summary and recommendations. Teaching and Learning in Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2024.11.015
2022 Data: Citation: Mizerek, E., Fritzges, J., Mau, K., & Perfetto, L. (2024). Staffing and faculty compensation in associate degree nursing education programs. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 19(1), e133-e137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2023.10.002
- OADN Members: login to your member-exclusive workspace to access these two article downloads. (Once you’re in the workspace, click on “recent files” in right column or “files” on the left.)
Other Interactive Charts
Below are two sample charts based on new research from OADN members. The research committee is eager to expand the use and distribution of unique research of our members.
Faculty Retention
ADN Enrollment by Age Group
Research Committee
Committee Chair:
Kimberly Wiegand, DNP, MSN, RN. Assistant Vice President for Nursing, Ivy Tech Community College
Committee Members:
- Sandy Brannan, PhD, RN
Director of Nursing Programs
Angelina College - Michelle M. Bull, MSN RNC CNL
Associate Professor
Community College of Rhode Island - Melody Skinner, SNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, Associate Professor
Del Mar College - Brandy Larmon, RN-MSN, EdD
Dean, College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Mississippi University for Women - Kim Uddo, DNP CCRN CNE CDE, Professor
Delgado Community College - Eden Zabat Kan, PhD, RN
Professor of Nursing
College of Southern Maryland - Linda Perfetto, PhD RN CNE CNOR FAADN
Director, System Nursing Curricular Operations,
CT Community College/ Nursing Program/Director, Charter Oak State College RN-BSN Program - Julie Traynor, MS, RN, CNE
Director, Dakota Nursing Program Consortium - Karla Ross, DNP, RN, CNE, CNEcl
Director, Associate Degree Nursing
Blinn College - Heather Streets, BSN, RN, OCN, MHA
ADN Nursing Instructor
St. Mary’s School of Nursing - Kristen Doughty, EdD, MSN, RN
Instructional Director Nursing
Delaware Technical Community College - Joanne Yastik, PhD, RN, CNE
Assistant Dean of Academics, Nursing & Health Sciences Division
Siena Heights University - Lisa Johnson, PhD RN
Assistant Professor Community College of Philadelphia
- Patti McFadden, PhD, RN
Professor of Nursing
Louisiana Tech University - Adele LeJeune Fuselier, MSN, RN, EdD(C),
Assistant Professor of Nursing
LSU-Eunice - Elizabeth DeCarlo, PhD, RN
Program Coordinator
Middlesex College/HMH - Charla Denman, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, NP-C
Professor of Nursing
Northeast Texas Community College - Diane Chlebowy, PhD, RN, CNL
Dean, School of Health Sciences
Midway University - Stephanie Kratzen, DNP, RN, CNE
Associate Professor
Community College of Baltimore County Essex - Carla Crider, EdD, MSN, RNC, C-EFM, CNE
Associate Professor
Tarrant County College - Lovey Reynolds, MSN, RN, CPN
Nursing Faculty
Malcolm X College, City Colleges of Chicago - Mary Rivard, PhD, RNC-OB
Director of Nursing
Vernon College
OADN President
Lynette Apen, DNP, RN, CNS, CNE
Board Liaison
Elizabeth (Liz) Mizerek, Ph.D., RN, FN-CSA, CEN, CPEN, FAEN
OADN Northeast Regional Director
Staff
Rick García, PhD, RN, CCM, FAAOHN, FAADN
Chief Executive Officer
Bryan Hoffman, MA
Chief Operating Officer