Reading the posts on the general discussion board relating to the low down on education for the RN is certainly disturbing...I won't be posting on that thread again and many of you knew well enough beforehand not to do so. It seems that those who are expressing the most anger are ADN-prepared RN's...sure, I can see it from their perspective as I was initially involved in preparing RN's at this level. But, my question is, when will we decide on the entry level to practice issue for the RN? It was proposed in the 50's by the ANA and remains unresolved. What can be done to speed up this process or should we all just let it go due to the nursing shortage? With as much anger as I have read throughout that thread, I wonder how this would not affect patient care? If someone has these issues and works side-by-side with RN's who are diploma, ADN or BSN-prepared and has not resolved their thoughts and feelings...how do they keep that hidden? Until this is resolved, the professional RN will continue to struggle to define his/her role and feelings of powerlessness.
Thanks,
Barbara