Saint Peter's University Hospital requiring current staff to have BSN within decade

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

New rules require veteran nurses to go back to college as RN-BSN programs flourish

By Kelly Heyboer/ The Star-Ledger

December 3, 2013

NEW BRUNSWICK-Saint Peter's University Hospital nurse Linda Stolfi calls it the letter that shook up her life and the future of many of her co-workers.

Last year, the New Brunswick hospital sent the staff a brief letter stating a new policy for the institution: All registered nurses-even those who have been treating patients for decades-need to earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing within the next decade.

That meant about half of the hospital's registered nurses, most of whom have two-year associate's degrees, would have to go back to college to earn the four-year degree if they want to keep their jobs....