[cathmarm]

Unfortunately, by remaining divided on the issue, we dilute the power that nurses could have on any issue relevant to us. We are not considered a profession as it is, because the educational standard, the minimum requirement to be considered an RN varies so greatly. As nurses, we will continue to serve as handmaidens unless we unite and at least meet the same requirements that "third world" countries have for nurses. Of course, in fighting is so much easier than taking action; I agree with Lindarn.

We cannot demand respect from others while we disrespect each other. The argument is not which nurse is better, the argument should be, what we need in order for nurses to achieve a professional status. We need to stop thinking of ourselves and start thinking of furthering the profession. We need to grow up otherwise nothing will change. We will still be here years from now grumbling about this same issue.

[ann945n]

Its important to remember that if requirements to sit for the NCLEX-RN change to BSN all those who already hold a RN license will be grandfathered in so no one will be loosing a job or be forced back to school. I 100 percent support a push to make BSN the minimum level of education for a RN. To demand respect as a professional one must walk the walk. I believe that means go get a bachelor degree like the rest of the professional world. As well united RN's under one degree will only strengthen our negotiations. I also believe that if such a change took place most ADN programs would change to BSN by getting endorsments from 4 year insitiutions. Most CC I know of do offer Bachelor degrees on campus with support from a 4 year school. Nursing then would be no different.

[cloudchaser]

What about those who obtained a non-nursing degree in a 4-year institution and obtained their AA in Nursing?

[chestrockwell]

Originally Posted by cloudchaser

What about those who obtained a non-nursing degree in a 4-year institution and obtained their AA in Nursing?

Exactly. I have a previous bachelors and am almost finished with my AA in nursing. Are the proponents for a mandatory BSN suggesting I go back to school for yet another degree? And if so, should I then demand more respect and salary for the extra education I have over someone with only a BSN education?

[Miss Mab]

Originally Posted by chestrockwell

Exactly. I have a previous bachelors and am almost finished with my AA in nursing. Are the proponents for a mandatory BSN suggesting I go back to school for yet another degree? And if so, should I then demand more respect and salary for the extra education I have over someone with only a BSN education?

Well, presuming this is the case, then yeah, I would absolutelt suggest that.
Seriously, you presumably finished all of the GE during first undergrad and you're just now completing the core nursing component.

OMG! This really is the mythic 'just a couple of more classes' difference to the BSN. Why wouldn't you take less than a handful of classes that would add community health and leadership and whatever else, if anything more else, to your already expanding nurse "toolkit."

As for the second part of the question, I don't know, are you expecting, sorry, demanding any of those things over your current ADN classmates now because you do already have an unrelated bachelor's degree?

i wouldn't think so but there's a connection ythere you are able to make.
Interesting....

Well, I know my two bachelor's trump yours......but some high -n-mighty MBA is just bound to come by any second.
Why don't we just stick to the relevant accolades....

[chestrockwell]

Originally Posted by Miss Mab

Well, presuming this is the case, then yeah, I would absolutelt suggest that.
Seriously, you presumably finished all of the GE during first undergrad and you're just now completing the core nursing component.

OMG! This really is the mythic 'just a couple of more classes' difference to the BSN. Why wouldn't you take less than a handful of classes that would add community health and leadership and whatever else, if anything more else, to your already expanding nurse "toolkit."

As for the second part of the question, I don't know, are you expecting, sorry, demanding any of those things over your current ADN classmates now because you do already have an unrelated bachelor's degree?

i wouldn't think so but there's a connection ythere you are able to make.
Interesting....

Well, I know my two bachelor's trump yours......but some high -n-mighty MBA is just bound to come by any second.
Why don't we just stick to the relevant accolades....

because my BA is in sociology I have already taken classes on community health, theory, and research. I agree that a Bachelors should be necessary for a nurse, but I disagree at to the necessity of a BSN specifically. Many people have previous degrees, skills and life experiences that trump, in my opinion, a BSN. I know a local school near me that requires physics for the BSN. Physics? Not really something most need in their nurses toolkit.

[PMFB-RN]

[quote=NRSKarenRN;2761889]

Moving to a higher education standard will benefit the profession as a whole as it has done for other healthcare professions: PT/OT/ ST/Pharmacy.

*** How will it benefit the profession as a whole? In what way have PT, OT, ST, and pharmacy benefited?
My experience is very anecdotal but I can't tell any difference in the pharmacists I work with except those with the Pharm D seem to be a little bitter about all the money they have to pay back.

[ZASHAGALKA]

Originally Posted by NRSKarenRN

Federal employment laws prohibit hiring from abroad for lower wage for SAME WORK with equal skills.

True. But.

Some employers use foreign help under contract to compel unsafe working conditions. They load these contracts up with 7-8 patients and demand that everybody pull the same load. I've personally seen this of a former employer. Unfortunately, they tend to do this with a combination of foreign help and new grads that don't know better.

Plus, the law of supply and demand is not directly at play here, but could be, with wider immigration allowances that were envisioned with CIR. Right now, there are 3 million RNs. A few hundred thousand foreign RNs do not increase that supply enough to weaken demand in the form of lower salaries, for all. Increase that level of immigration and it could.

In some communities, where there are high numbers of foreign nurses under contract, it can reduce the overall salaries in those communities.

So, you are correct. However. There are ways around directly violating that law that aren't good for homegrown nurses.

~faith,
Timothy.

[mariyahsmommy]

I just heard from a friend of mine that she was told that instead of 10 yrs it is now going to be mandatory to receive your BSN in 4--Has anyone else heard THIS??? I hope this is not the case.....

[TheCommuter]

Don't freak out. There's no way to implement mandatory BSN degree attainment in 4 years. It won't even occur in 10 years, because not enough BSN programs exist to support this type of mandate.

To sum things up, your friend bestowed grossly incorrect information upon you.