BSN minimum requirement

Nurses General Nursing

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It is my firm belief that the minimum requirement for nursing should be a BSN. We want to be accepted as a profession, yet we allow 2 year programs to dominate the field. Now I went to a 2 year program and will be finishing my BSN this semester. My school did a great job preparing me for "tasks" of nursing, but oh, it is so much more than that. Many other countries have moved or are moving towards 4yr degree minimums and the US needs to stay atop in this competative field. The nursing shortage will not always be here and it is to your advantage to get your degree now. The 2 yr programs will make a great footstep in the years to come, but the 4yr degree will become the RNs of the future. As nurses move into the 21st century we need to pull together to demonstrate our power as a profession, the only way to do this is to have strong, educated nurses in not just bedside tasks but critically thinking, politics, research and community health. Think about it, comments welcome.

Originally posted by egmillard:

It appears that you think you are a professional, just because you have a degree. I have met many nurses with diplomas and 2 year degree, who are far better than those with 4 year degrees. I have met incredibly bad nurses with masters degrees. Your education does not define what kind of nurse you are, or how good you are at your job, it simply allows you to gain quicker promotions.

[This message has been edited by egmillard (edited March 09, 2001).]

RNPD stated at the beginning of her comment that she is an ADN nurse. However, judging by her behavior and eloquent commentary(read: absence of put-downs, nastiness), I'd call her a TRUE professional, hands down.

Originally posted by egmillard:

It appears that you think you are a professional, just because you have a degree. I have met many nurses with diplomas and 2 year degree, who are far better than those with 4 year degrees. I have met incredibly bad nurses with masters degrees. Your education does not define what kind of nurse you are, or how good you are at your job, it simply allows you to gain quicker promotions.

[This message has been edited by egmillard (edited March 09, 2001).]

RNPD stated at the beginning of her comment that she is an ADN nurse. However, judging by her behavior and eloquent commentary(read: absence of put-downs, nastiness), I'd call her a TRUE professional, hands down.

To be frank many of the comments sadden me... First of all familymanRNBSN, it's Tim-GNP- it's an RN with a BSN, an MSN, and an additional certificate beyond that. Hooked on phonics worked for me.

Second of all, to all the nurses who refer to yourselves as 'butt wipers' I think you are classless & white trash. In my line of work, I care for MANY people who are incontinent, and require gentle and prompt cleaning of their excrement. It is something to be done with humility and in a matter-of-factish way. I have attended to many individuals who cried because somebody HAD to provide thistype of care for them. It is done in silence and drawing attention away from the task-- NOT with the bells and whistles of referring to yourself as a 'butt wiper' that's just tasteless!!!

And, sheripa... I loved reading your family's resume... big s***! Try living through your own accomplishments instead of vicariously living through others, and as for your uncle- i'm not surprised, many Doctors are morons.

Mazeltov!

To be frank many of the comments sadden me... First of all familymanRNBSN, it's Tim-GNP- it's an RN with a BSN, an MSN, and an additional certificate beyond that. Hooked on phonics worked for me.

Second of all, to all the nurses who refer to yourselves as 'butt wipers' I think you are classless & white trash. In my line of work, I care for MANY people who are incontinent, and require gentle and prompt cleaning of their excrement. It is something to be done with humility and in a matter-of-factish way. I have attended to many individuals who cried because somebody HAD to provide thistype of care for them. It is done in silence and drawing attention away from the task-- NOT with the bells and whistles of referring to yourself as a 'butt wiper' that's just tasteless!!!

And, sheripa... I loved reading your family's resume... big s***! Try living through your own accomplishments instead of vicariously living through others, and as for your uncle- i'm not surprised, many Doctors are morons.

Mazeltov!

I just finished reading this whole thing and of course I can't resist making a comment. Someone mentioned that critical thinking and community nursing are what she learned in her BSN program. Classes in community nursing and critical thinking were included in my ADN. Other than courses in administration, we received essentially the same education as SOME of the BSN programs. My point being that, just as our friends the doctors, the educations we receive have something to do with the schools we attend. We can't all go to Harvard. Some of us are limited by the area in which we live. I am getting my BA in an entirely different area from nursing. I am a bedside nurse. I have no desire to go into administration or research. I am glad there are those who want to do those things. I admire and appreciate them but do not envy them. We all have unique gifts and skills. Nursing needs and should nurture this diversity.

I just finished reading this whole thing and of course I can't resist making a comment. Someone mentioned that critical thinking and community nursing are what she learned in her BSN program. Classes in community nursing and critical thinking were included in my ADN. Other than courses in administration, we received essentially the same education as SOME of the BSN programs. My point being that, just as our friends the doctors, the educations we receive have something to do with the schools we attend. We can't all go to Harvard. Some of us are limited by the area in which we live. I am getting my BA in an entirely different area from nursing. I am a bedside nurse. I have no desire to go into administration or research. I am glad there are those who want to do those things. I admire and appreciate them but do not envy them. We all have unique gifts and skills. Nursing needs and should nurture this diversity.

I am SO glad I've decided to go into nursing after earning my BS in biology education. Seems that nursing has similar problems as education does! wink.gif

Seriously, I really am glad that I've chosen to go into nursing because I have a "change the world" mentality. I tend to think positive and offer suggestions/possible solutions whenever I gripe.

With that said, how do you feel about my ideas below? (Please don't be too harsh!)

First, focus your energy on becoming committed to a SOLUTION to the problems of nursing, then maybe there wouldn't be so many problems. Offer suggestions with your comments... you may be surprised that some of them will be taken! And, don't forget to listen! Some of us are so busy making our point and getting the last word in that we don't hear anything but our own voices.

Second, stop the turf wars! Internal fighting only serves to weaken the nursing profession. Find ground that everyone agrees on and build on that foundation. There IS mutual ground here!

Third, determine the minimum requirements for nursing education. Personally, I believe the BSN should be the minimum requirement IF nurses are to be considered professionals by the outside world. I am NOT saying that ADNs are less prepared, uneducated, etc.; however, 2 year degrees are simply not viewed by the public as professional degrees. I DO believe that there should be a timeframe that the BSN can be obtained. For example, ADN programs would still be in place (great for those on a tight budget, with families, etc.); however, they would be required to continue their education and obtain their BSN within X years (say 10 years?).

Finally, as with any profession, we should all strive to commit to our profession through continued training, education, etc., unite together as a profession and seek ways to improve quality on a daily basis.

[This message has been edited by Born 2 B In OB (edited March 09, 2001).]

I am SO glad I've decided to go into nursing after earning my BS in biology education. Seems that nursing has similar problems as education does! wink.gif

Seriously, I really am glad that I've chosen to go into nursing because I have a "change the world" mentality. I tend to think positive and offer suggestions/possible solutions whenever I gripe.

With that said, how do you feel about my ideas below? (Please don't be too harsh!)

First, focus your energy on becoming committed to a SOLUTION to the problems of nursing, then maybe there wouldn't be so many problems. Offer suggestions with your comments... you may be surprised that some of them will be taken! And, don't forget to listen! Some of us are so busy making our point and getting the last word in that we don't hear anything but our own voices.

Second, stop the turf wars! Internal fighting only serves to weaken the nursing profession. Find ground that everyone agrees on and build on that foundation. There IS mutual ground here!

Third, determine the minimum requirements for nursing education. Personally, I believe the BSN should be the minimum requirement IF nurses are to be considered professionals by the outside world. I am NOT saying that ADNs are less prepared, uneducated, etc.; however, 2 year degrees are simply not viewed by the public as professional degrees. I DO believe that there should be a timeframe that the BSN can be obtained. For example, ADN programs would still be in place (great for those on a tight budget, with families, etc.); however, they would be required to continue their education and obtain their BSN within X years (say 10 years?).

Finally, as with any profession, we should all strive to commit to our profession through continued training, education, etc., unite together as a profession and seek ways to improve quality on a daily basis.

[This message has been edited by Born 2 B In OB (edited March 09, 2001).]

Unfortunately, when the discussion comes around as to minimal education for entry into practice, lines get drawn. Despite the 'eat s*** and die' mentality of many of the posters, it still comes down to a question of what defines a 'profession'; that is, a UNIFORM educational experience.

This does NOT mean that an ADN or diploma nurse is better or worse than a BSN, it does not mean that nurses with BSN's are idiots either [after being a practicing LPN for years, I was an excellent RN when I finished my BSN program].

BUT, people hear "BSN" and immediately take it as an attack against their educational preparation. I guess when I was an LPN, hearing that RN's were the only 'real nurses' got to me the same way. I can relate.

There is a college in Elkins, West Virginia, called "Davis & Elkins" who has one of the best ideas I have ever heard of. Their students get the ADN [i think], and take their state boards... they stay on one more year [i think] and finish their BSN [a.k.a., get the non-sense management and research stuff]. This might be a good model for BSN programs. I don't know. Just a thought.

Unfortunately, when the discussion comes around as to minimal education for entry into practice, lines get drawn. Despite the 'eat s*** and die' mentality of many of the posters, it still comes down to a question of what defines a 'profession'; that is, a UNIFORM educational experience.

This does NOT mean that an ADN or diploma nurse is better or worse than a BSN, it does not mean that nurses with BSN's are idiots either [after being a practicing LPN for years, I was an excellent RN when I finished my BSN program].

BUT, people hear "BSN" and immediately take it as an attack against their educational preparation. I guess when I was an LPN, hearing that RN's were the only 'real nurses' got to me the same way. I can relate.

There is a college in Elkins, West Virginia, called "Davis & Elkins" who has one of the best ideas I have ever heard of. Their students get the ADN [i think], and take their state boards... they stay on one more year [i think] and finish their BSN [a.k.a., get the non-sense management and research stuff]. This might be a good model for BSN programs. I don't know. Just a thought.

Originally posted by Brownms46:

Bickering...B****ing?? I think not! Even though I totally disagreed with the original poster, I have enjoyed reading the posts that sprang from it. The following is a quote from one I truly enjoyed..."I do believe that BSN should be the level of entry for those reasons but mostly because it allows an individual nurse to easily walk forward from the bedside into other roles when (or if) she tires of the role that the ADN/diploma program so aptly prepares their students for"

This post validated my original post! "Allows the individual nurse to easily walk FORWARD FROM THE BEDSIDE into OTHER ROLES when(or if)she TIRES of the role that the ADN/diploma program so aptly prepares their students for" Now lets see if my uneducated tired old brain can grasp this concept. Now tell me if I get it wrong now. So the ADN/diploma programs aptly prepare their students for...umm now let me see here...nursing?? Hold on..I'll get it ...if those programs prepare them to nurse at the bedside...umm where does the BSN/MSN programs prepare you to work?? Hmmm..must NOT be at the bedside..eh? Now..let me go even further here...oooh this means really stretching my brain matter ...hold on...neurons are firing...HEY..I get it. Get you ADN....go on to get your BSN/MSN...so you DON'T have to work at the bedside anymore...is that it??? OOOhhh ok...so now...if having your BSN should be the entry level to nursing...and all the BSN as getting away from the bedside...and there are no other levels of nursing...ummm...now let me see here.....WHO IS AT THE BEDSIDE??

OOh don't tell me...IT's THE NEW GRADS!!! Now won't that increase superlative patient care. Yeah ...right!

Gloria

Great post. This pretty much sums it up.

Originally posted by Brownms46:

Bickering...B****ing?? I think not! Even though I totally disagreed with the original poster, I have enjoyed reading the posts that sprang from it. The following is a quote from one I truly enjoyed..."I do believe that BSN should be the level of entry for those reasons but mostly because it allows an individual nurse to easily walk forward from the bedside into other roles when (or if) she tires of the role that the ADN/diploma program so aptly prepares their students for"

This post validated my original post! "Allows the individual nurse to easily walk FORWARD FROM THE BEDSIDE into OTHER ROLES when(or if)she TIRES of the role that the ADN/diploma program so aptly prepares their students for" Now lets see if my uneducated tired old brain can grasp this concept. Now tell me if I get it wrong now. So the ADN/diploma programs aptly prepare their students for...umm now let me see here...nursing?? Hold on..I'll get it ...if those programs prepare them to nurse at the bedside...umm where does the BSN/MSN programs prepare you to work?? Hmmm..must NOT be at the bedside..eh? Now..let me go even further here...oooh this means really stretching my brain matter ...hold on...neurons are firing...HEY..I get it. Get you ADN....go on to get your BSN/MSN...so you DON'T have to work at the bedside anymore...is that it??? OOOhhh ok...so now...if having your BSN should be the entry level to nursing...and all the BSN as getting away from the bedside...and there are no other levels of nursing...ummm...now let me see here.....WHO IS AT THE BEDSIDE??

OOh don't tell me...IT's THE NEW GRADS!!! Now won't that increase superlative patient care. Yeah ...right!

Gloria

Great post. This pretty much sums it up.

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