Re: Do We All Need To Have a BSN Now? Originally Posted by LunahRN
I'm seeing ads that state a preference for BSN. With fewer positions open, facilities are certainly able to choose BSN-prepared RNs over ADN-prepared RNs ... in some places, even the BSN RNs are having a tough time finding employment. And with more hospitals seeking Magnet status, BSNs are preferred, and they do have to have a certain number of BSN-prepared RNs on staff.
*** I work in the SICU of a large trauma center. In our unit we recover open hearts, all types of neurosurgery and crashing general surgery patients. We (SICU RNs) respond to the trauma bays for all trauma activations where we serve as the primary nurse while the ER RN writes down vital signs and go and gets things. We are also the code response team and the rapid response team. We operate with tremendous autonomy with standing order and protocols to deal with most anything. We must operate this way as we don't have any doctors in our unit except for a few hours in the morning when they round. Our nurses are regularly hired by flight programs and get accepted to CRNA school. In fact I don't know of a single one of our nurses who didn't get into CRNA school, some had to apply twice but every one got in.
Our hospital has a 7 month nurse residency program to train new grads to work in the SICU and the MICU. I went through the program 4 years ago, of my class of 9, seven went to or are currently in CRNA school. Some of them didn't even finish their two year contract. For the most recent residency class they only hired 5 people for both units and they where very selective. They also didn't hire a single BSN despite the fact that our hospital actually has an on sight BSN program in association with a local state college. While it isn't written anywhere I have personally heard our nurse manager say that she is actively selecting BSNs out and will continue to do so. BSNs not welcome to apply.
Now that they have several years worth of data on their residency program it is abundantly clear that their return on investment is much better with ADNs than it is for BSNs.
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