Should all nurses have their BSN or higher?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Telemetry/Cardiac.

I work for a hospital in pittsburgh. There are a lot of them and we're called univeristy of pittsburgh medical center (UPMC) for those who aren't familiar. One of the hospitals recently made it mandatory to have your BSN to work there and if you have your ASN diploma etc you have to get your BSN in two years to keep your job. It's supposed to spread throughout UPMC eventually. I have my ASN but will be attending the University of Pittsburgh for my RN to MSN. Just wanted to know what everyone else thought about this. I know in Pennsylvania there is always talk of getting rid of the ASN and diploma programs which I think is a horrible idea. What are your thoughts?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I don't see the point. I'm sure there are some very good ADN nurses there who have been there for many years, and getting a BSN isn't going to make them better nurses.

But if the market can support this and they won't be short of nurses, then they have that option. More than like they will fail and it will either blow up in their face and they face a mass exodus and/or staff shortages because the community can't fill the positions, or they will drop the idea all together.

Nurses who work there also have options....vote with their feet or play their game.

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i don't think it should be a requirement if the job essentials are the same as well as the pay.

i work for a hospital in pittsburgh. there are a lot of them and we're called univeristy of pittsburgh medical center (upmc) for those who aren't familiar. one of the hospitals recently made it mandatory to have your bsn to work there and if you have your asn diploma etc you have to get your bsn in two years to keep your job. it's supposed to spread throughout upmc eventually. i have my asn but will be attending the university of pittsburgh for my rn to msn. just wanted to know what everyone else thought about this. i know in pennsylvania there is always talk of getting rid of the asn and diploma programs which i think is a horrible idea. what are your thoughts?
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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
:banghead:
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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I would much more swallow this if THEY were the ones to ante up and pay for people to go back to school! (all employees who need BSN that is, including PRN ones).

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Well when all of the ADN/ASN/Diploma nurses quit, so that they can have enough time to get their BSN in two years or less, then the facility will be a pickle, won't they.

Given the working conditions in Pittsburgh, I have a feeling that the facility would really be in trouble.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I would much more swallow this if THEY were the ones to ante up and pay for people to go back to school! (all employees who need BSN that is, including PRN ones).

Hear, hear!!:yeahthat:

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

Two years doesn't seem like enough time, at all.

Isn't Shadyside part of the UPMC system? Are they actually going to not hire nurses who graduate from a nursing school affiliated with their own system? That's messed up!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.

I've been wondering if the nursing shortage in Pittsburgh is about over. There are a lot of nursing schools in the Pgh area and they seem to be graduating about 2-3 times the number of grads as they were 3 years ago. The fact that one UPMC hospital is willing to reject diploma and ADN RNs just confirms my suspicion.

This might make it rough for me in that I'm in a two year RN diploma program with a loan forgiveness program if I work for UPMC. If UPMC isn't willing to hire us I guess we'll be stuck for the $15,000.

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Specializes in SNF/ MDS/ Clinical Reimbursemen.

I dont think there is any thing wrong with encouraging nurses to increase there level of education as long as the institutions that initiate these provisions accommodate those in which it effects. By this I mean, increase staffing to account for those nurses who will be in school instead of working and pay for the cost of the additional education. Other accommodations may be necessary to decrease the challenges that may arise by initiating a rule that states all nurses must be BSN prepared.

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Specializes in Telemetry/Cardiac.

Yes Shadyside is in the UPMC system so I agree, it makes no sense. Only one hospital, UPMC Presby is going to do this so far. UPMC will give you only 2000 in tuition assistance if you go to school part time, and 4000 if you go full time which is impossible if you work. And this only applies to schools in Allegheny county. I don't think it's that great of an idea.

"Given the working conditions in Pittsburgh, I have a feeling that the facility would really be in trouble."----Have you worked or lived in Pittsburgh before? What is your impression of our working conditions caroladybelle???

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

Tweety, I so agree with your thoughts. I am in Canada and a BSN is now the minimum requirement for RN licensure. I am bridging over from being and RPN, (LPN) but i think that this requirement is misguided. I did my preceptorship in a hospital and there were many dedicated and competent RN's who did not have a BSN. In addition, this requirement is leading to severe RN shortages which affects all of us, even LPN's, as we can often be put in situations where we need to negotiate with supervisors to ensure that we are not practicing beyond what we are trained and competetent to be doing, uggh!

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