NY State may require nurses to obtain 4-year degrees

[Brian]

But some worry that an already severe shortage will become worse.

New York is mulling over a requirement that would force all RNs to earn a bachelor's degree in order to keep their RN certification-a step that critics worry could serve as a body blow to a profession already facing a severe shortage.

Under the state Board of Nursing proposal, RNs with associate's degrees would have to earn bachelor's degrees within 10 years, or their RN certifications would be downgraded to that of licensed practical nurse. That would make nursing somewhat like teaching in New York state; certified K-12 teachers need master's degrees or must obtain one within three years of starting a job. It would also add years and thousands of dollars to the difficulty of becoming an RN...

Full Article: http://www.rochesterdandc.com/news/0413BA3TIOG_news.shtml

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Maybe yours is just a regional thing seeing no difference. I know three areas who will all tell you the same thing and in this particular area, the ADN program really does have more experience -- 35% more clinical hours than the BSN program. It just lacks the management courses. I've worked in hospitals in 3 different areas and almost without exception, the ADN grads are far more competent on the floor the first 3 months out of school than the BSN students. Plus, they are easier to get along with and dont have that "...I just graduated, don't tell ME how to do things" attitude

I agree and that's what I was saying that it's regional. The BSNs and ADNs get the same number of clinical hours. Honestly fresh out of school it's hard to tell them apart. Most graduates are humble and willing to learn and don't have an "attitude". However, we're dealing one with a "I just graduated, don't tell me what to do..." and she just happens to be an ADN, but that attitude is rare in both programs.

Also, the BSN's only get one course in management. The other courses they take care advanced patho/pharm, community health, ethics, research, statistics, advanced physical assessment.

The difference between the ADNs and BSNs here isn't the number of clinical hours and a few management courses.

Interesting how things differ around the country isn't it?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

There are many areas that Professional doesn't require a Bachelors or a Masters, nursing is one of them.

I was just talking with a person licensed as a professional (not in nursing) and this came up. I had been under the impression, courtesy of those who profess loudly that the only true professionals are those who hold Bachelor degrees or above, that ONLY nursing was left as a sole profession that did not require a minimum of a Bachelor's. Apparently that's quite mistaken, as the person I was speaking with (who obviously knew his stuff) started rattling off various professional licenses that can be obtained after completion of a high school education and passing the licensing exam. Yes, high school. The knowledge needed to pass the exam could come from experience, not years of classroom time. Wham: professional license obtained.

Don't worry, NY will be reversing this idiotic requirement too.

It isn't a requirement now, and never has been. Wishful thinking on the part of beaurocrats and those who believe this new educational minimum will improve the nursing profession as a whole. While I agree that continuing education always benefits the profession, this particular suggestion (BSN as minimum) does not. At least, not in these times of shortage, and believe me, in my area, we DO feel a shortage. Waiting for the ADN graduates every year is painful, as staffing is always, ALWAYS minimal and job vacancies sit there.

[scholar]

I wonder if even that would make any difference, at least for another generation or so, as it is so embedded in the public's mind that hospitals still have "nurses in training", and that one becomes a nurse through on the job work. This is totally without regard to the fact that we've had decades' worth of associate degrees in nursing, not to mention bachelor's.

As I read your post, I thought of a recent post on another thread, one in which a BSN-RN was asked how long it took her to get her license, "was it a year?" When told it was actually a four year process, a bachelor's degree, the person responded in surprise, "just to be a nurse?"

So, having all BSNs isn't really the image change. Educating the public on what the heck we DO and WHY education on our parts is imperative is the answer.

You wouldn't have to educate the public on what nurses do if the public knew that the title required a 4-year degree. A light bulb would go off in the individual's head. "hmm, I wonder what they do and certainly it wouldn't be a 4-year requirement for nothing." The interested one's would educate themselves. I see that titles play a big role in the nursing community. Personally, I think it doesn't matter. It's embarrassing to brag about having an BSN when your making maybe 50 cent more. I could have ADN, BSN, MSN, ESPN, MF behind my name if Im not making more, it's vain to argue that I'm better or more qualified than you whether it be true or not, because the truth of the matter is if that were the case it would show in the paycheck.

[Gromit]

Paramedics, Firefighters and police officers aren't bachelor-holders either, though if you don't considder them to be 'professinals' then its a moot point, I suppose. But in ANY case, I'm surprised we're still talking about this non-event (since NY abandoned the idea -or at least shelved it, months ago).