Is it really illegal to require BSN?

U.S.A. New Jersey

Published

I'm currently working towards my ADN at a 2 year nursing school. I'm a PCT in an ICU and a nurse asked me if i was going to work there when i finished school, and said she was sure my nurse manager would hire me. My hospital became magnet a few years back and since then job postings for RN's have required BSN.

I was under the impression that my hospital would no longer hire ADN nurses since we became magnet. But we asked another RN on the unit who is on the UPC if it was hospital policy that RN's must have BSN, she said no it was not hospital policy and that it was illegal to require nurses to have BSN. I thought this was strange....

I know as Magnet, we require a certain percentage of BSN's like 75 or 80%

is this true? when I finish school could be manger hire me if she really wanted to?

We have a few ADN's on the unit who were hire the same week we became magnet...

Is it illegal to require new hires to have a BSN, which is what she said?

or is illegal to require ADN's to obtain a BSN to keep there job, which would make more sense?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

No it is not illegal to have BSN as a job requirement. It is also not illegal to have the nurses obtain a BSN to remain employed. NJ is a "at-will" work state.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Employers can set any requirement they please as long as they don't violate civil rights laws.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Magnet status requires that ANM's and NM's have BSN's. Direct care nurses are not required to have BSN's. It is zealousy that is causing this ripple in finding a job. Hospitals should concentrate on finding the right nurse as opposed to weeding out ADN's. If they would take the time to figure out a candidate's competency rather than their degree level, they might find qualified nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Peds..

I agree. One would think they would be happy to see educated and qualified people applying for a job.

Sadly, that isn't the case. MAGNET was originally meant to attract and RETAIN the RN. That isn't the

case today. I am all for getting the BSN eventually, but I don't think it is right to treat a nurse who

isn't a BSN grad. like she is garbage. That is how Saint Peter's in New Brunswick made me feel 3 weeks

ago. I wouldn't work for people like that or be a healthcare consumer of their's either. Nurses should be

encouraged to improve, not belittled, intimidated and pitted against other RN's. They make you sign

paperwork stating you will get your BSN within 2 yrs of hire. Ok...... How do you expect me to pay for

all this without a JOB?? Time to consider a fun and useful career like Culinary school.

Interesting to note that the more a hospital "wants", the more questionable staffing practises you will

see. Avoid Saint Peter's, unless you like being treated like garbage.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Peds..

They can require whatever they want. The only Bachelor's I want is a Bach of Science or Bach of Arts! I want a degree not associated with cleaning people's behinds or bedpans!! When you tell people you are a nurse you can see their dissappointment (I am referring to educated and successful women). When I talk to women in business or finance, they have no interest at all in knowing about nursing. They just feel sorry for you and see you as a caretaker. There is no prestige at all in nursing be it as an RN or BSN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.

Not illegal...also not surprising...

Why should any facility hire any other nurse when there are so many looking for jobs in NJ. Let's face it, they still have to provide orientation to both; but will never have to pay for the BSN education. It's all about dollars and cents....guarenteed in this job climate-the wave of the future.

I also believe because so many can't get jobs, we will be seeing Master's prepared nurses vying for staff jobs. I know so many students who are in the process of getting a master's degree because they can't get staff jobs. That will be the next basis for hire.....because in an employer's market, they can and they will.

If it were your business you would too!

Maisy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.
They can require whatever they want. The only Bachelor's I want is a Bach of Science or Bach of Arts! I want a degree not associated with cleaning people's behinds or bedpans!! When you tell people you are a nurse you can see their dissappointment (I am referring to educated and successful women). When I talk to women in business or finance, they have no interest at all in knowing about nursing. They just feel sorry for you and see you as a caretaker. There is no prestige at all in nursing be it as an RN or BSN.

So why are you posting on a nursing website?

I'm a nurse, and yes, I clean bottoms and help patients use the bedpan. You know what else I do? I work in Pediatric Critical Care. I care for children who are so sick that they would not survive without being in my hospital. I've seen families go from devestated to estatic as their child gets better and goes home. I've had the satisfaction of knowing that my hard work all day probably saved a child's life. Are you telling me there is no prestige in that??

I could care less whether "educated and successful women" are disappointed when I tell them I'm a nurse. I'm educated (with a BSN) and successful (my salary probably exceeds some of those women in business suits) and I love being a nurse.

By the way, I've never had anyone look disappointed when I told them I work as an RN in Peds intensive care. The usual response I get is "Wow, that must be so hard. I don't think I could ever do that."

But msgirl, you obviously don't understand what nurses actually do. While you go out to get your BS or BA, I hope you learn a few things about it. I also kind of doubt that your BA is going to get you the same salary and benefits right out of college that my BSN did.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.
They can require whatever they want. The only Bachelor's I want is a Bach of Science or Bach of Arts! I want a degree not associated with cleaning people's behinds or bedpans!! When you tell people you are a nurse you can see their dissappointment (I am referring to educated and successful women). When I talk to women in business or finance, they have no interest at all in knowing about nursing. They just feel sorry for you and see you as a caretaker. There is no prestige at all in nursing be it as an RN or BSN.

I WAS a business woman in the financial sector....I envied nurses so much that went back to college at the age of 45. I manage the care for 68 people. I make a difference every day. I am highly respected in my community.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I am an ER RN with 10 years experience, excellent references and a CEN. I have a nursing diploma, which was a 3 year program. With all my experience in multiple emergency rooms across the country most hospitals in NYC and NJ despite my experience won't consider hiring me without a BSN. I can't even get past HR. I am enrolled in an RN to BSN program but it doesn't matter. Sigh. At this point the best I have been able to get is agency work. My last staff hospital closed and I have had a helluva time ever since:(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

Ew. Are you for real msgirl68? :no:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg,Cardiac.
They can require whatever they want. The only Bachelor's I want is a Bach of Science or Bach of Arts! I want a degree not associated with cleaning people's behinds or bedpans!! When you tell people you are a nurse you can see their dissappointment (I am referring to educated and successful women). When I talk to women in business or finance they have no interest at all in knowing about nursing. They just feel sorry for you and see you as a caretaker. There is no prestige at all in nursing be it as an RN or BSN.[/quote']

What do you think the BS in BSN stands for? You don't think a nurse is educated or auccesaful? I have friends with a bachelor's degree in business who work for minimum wage as cashiers because there aren't jobs. Your ignorance actually amuses me and makes me pity you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment