Magnet Leadership Degree Dilemma

[katmeup7]

I am an RN with an ASN degree who has worked for the same hospital for 20 years. In 2003 I was promoted to a clinical leadership position that required a BSN or a Bachelor's in a related field. I chose the related field and got a BA in Human Development which was actually more applicable to the work I am doing than a BSN curriculum. Our hospital obtained Magnet status in 2006.

I received a second promotion in 2006 to a clinical leadership position which included administrative duties which I have held ever since, and graduated with my BA in 2007. The current position required that I have a BSN by 2011 and that no nursing leader without a BSN will practice after 2013. Since I was just finishing a degree which required a great deal of time, energy and money, I verbally advised the HR representative involved in the promotion and my director at the time (now gone) that there was no way I was turning around and going back to school again after just finishing up a bachelor's just because they were now wanting to look good on paper for Magnet and because they changed the rules midstream. Nonetheless, I signed a paper stating that I understood I was required to obtain a BSN for the position by 2013; the HR rep said, "Sign it. Who knows what the rules will be by then!"

Now, every year, I'm asked what my "plan" is for their Magnet report. I am one of only 4 or 5 people left in the entire organization without a BSN in a leadership position. I should mention I am not in an acute care setting. I am in a unique area in an outpatient setting. My BA is very relevant to this area and I am 60 years old. I would like to keep my job for the next 5 years and finish out my career, but this whole BSN dilemma is really beginning to make me think it may not happen. I am not willing to go back to school at this point.

I've considered asking for a new title that doesn't involve "clinical" leadership. Other than that, I have no idea how to deal with this. Any thoughts?

[katmeup7]

Here's an update:

I finally addressed this issue with my boss. I presented him with the reasons why I felt my job description wasn't appropriate and why 'clinical manager' wasn't an accurate moniker for what I do. He point blank asked me what the real reason I wanted to change my job title was, so I advised him that the education piece to satisfy Magnet was the bottom line, and the fact that I don't even report to Nursing seemed incongruous with the expectation.

He immediately agreed with me. I told him I'd write my new job description and suggested a new title that doesn't involve the word 'clinical or nurse' in it. He's 100% behind me, and I am 100% relieved. I've run it past HR and they have helped me as well. I'll probably go with something like "practice administrator."

By this move, it shows me that my boss values my experience, track record, and unique contribution to our hospital and community. I suspect he also recognizes that as a 60 yr old employee, it's not in my best interest to add the stress of more school to my already overburdened plate.

I waited patiently until the timing was right to address this, and it worked!