ADN Nurses Being Forced to go Back to School?

[tnbutterfly - Mary]

New Rules Send Upstate Nurses (in S.C.) Back to School

Hospitals across the country are now mandating that nurses with associate degrees obtain a Bachelor of Science degree.The change went into effect July 1 for nursing staff at Greenville Health System. The organization anticipates 300 nurses will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding stating that they will return to school for a BSN degree within four years.

The change in education requirements for nursing staff is based on a recommendation from the Institute of Medicine. The non-profit advisory group wants 80 percent of all nurses to have a four-year degree by 2020.

"We hope for the patient, it will provide enhanced care," according to Judith Thompson, CEO of the South Carolina Nurses Association.

One rationale behind this is that since the role of the nurse in the hospital is changing and becoming more complex, more education is needed to keep up.

What do you think about making nurses with years of experience under their belts to go back to school or risk their jobs?

[Guest219794]

"ADN Nurses Being Forced to go Back to School "

I read the article, and missed the part where anybody was forced to do anything.

I read about hospitals raising their job qualifications for nurses, but nobody is being forced into anything.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

I only have 5 years of experience, so I feel that I must get my BSN. If I had 20plus years of exp. I most likely wouldn't bother with a BSN. I guess it all depends the individuals' wants and needs.

[oncnursemsn]

I'm glad to see this issue of institutions mandating ASN nurses obtain their BSN being addressed. My experience with "having to go back to school" for a BSN is that there are many colleges/universities offering affordable, or subsidized ASN-to-BSN on line programs. Most (if not ALL) course work can be completed through on line communication between instructors and other classmates to complete papers, exams and earn a BSN. It's not something all RN's are interested in, but we are a bit behind other professions in this degree requirement. The physical therapists I work with are being pushed to obtain a doctoral degree as entry level! Just my 2 cents!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Overall I don't think it's a bad idea for nurses to have four years of education, but I do not believe that a nurse with years of experience will have any improvement in their nursing practice or skills by completing a BSN.

You can "believe" what you want, but the research does not support your hypothesis.

[mhy12784]

I just dont like the way this sounds.

I think that ALL NEW nurses should have a BSN.

I also think that many nurses should get a nice "nudge", maybe even "forced" to get their BSNs.

But I also think hospitals are making a tremendous mistake if they are going to force out incredibly experienced valuable RNs because they dont have a bachelors.

At my institution (Magnet) theres more than a few nurses who have been there for 20-30 + years and dont have bachelors. If they were to get forced out (theyre not) I think my hospital would be shooting itself in the foot in the worst way.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I am so glad I don't have a dog in this fight. I originally had an ADN, but I also had a bachelor's degree in another field. I found the RN to BSN classes to be basically silly, stupid, and nowhere near worth the tuition expense. I learned FAR more in the ADN program, and the requirements to get into my ADN program were FAR more stringent, than the BSN. I agree hospitals would be shooting themselves in the foot if they expect seasoned ADN nurses to go back to school. Tons of nurses have education in other fields, and I can say my business and accounting degrees were far harder than the BSN ever thought about being. I simply can't see how the almighty BSN is so important. The newer nurses I work with, who have a BSN, don't have skills to do much with. All the theory in the world won't help you if you can't perform on the job.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

The BSN has been mandatory as entry to practice in Canada for years. Many nurses were grandfathered when the shift first happened, but for many nurses, if they want to advance, they must return to school.

That's the way it is. Similarly, a Masters is now required for most research or teaching positions. We all need to accept it and learn to adapt.

[bagladyrn, RN]

There should definitely be an arrangement for "grandfathering in" nurses with more than a certain number of years of experience. At the age of 60 I don't anticipate working more than another 10 years so further formal education would not be worth it for me. The cost/benefit ratio would not be in my favor.

Fortunately, when hospitals are needing a travel nurse they look at my many years of experience rather than my formal education level. In 18 years of traveling I've never had one ask if I have a BSN.

By the way I've defined this as "formal education" because one shouldn't assume that the lack of a degree indicates lack of knowledge. Many of us make a point of continuing to keep up with the latest information on our own!

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

A far wiser course of action would be to simply grandfather in all current RNs and make a BSN a requirement for future hires.

[mhy12784]

A far wiser course of action would be to simply grandfather in all current RNs and make a BSN a requirement for future hires.

It won't address any ADNs in their early 20s or 30s who will be working for next 30-50 years

I don't think he experienced nurse should go back, but I certainly think these young pups should

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

mtngrl

I have an ADN and have no plans to go back to school. I would probably do terrible since I have been working in case management for 6 yerars...could not even imagine doing clinicals!!!!! If I ever go back to school it will be for a new career.

I am in an RN-BSN program-no clinical. Theory, leadership, policy, all stuff that really helps and is useful (for a change!)

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

I graduated from an ASN program three years ago, and immediately began my BSN coursework after my initial new grad shock wore off. As the role of the RN expands and more defines a hospital, we will see more of these declarations coming down the pipe. My hospital just attained magnet status - and BSN educated nurses is part of that status.

Do I think my BSN coursework made me a better nurse? Nope. And I attended a state university. I do think it helped in other ways - my abilities to serve in other capacities, such as my current policy writing committee. But not all nurses want to be on that side of things! I did get a fun BSN badge though. LoL!