Associate and Diploma RNs

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I am diploma RN and I feel I have just as much skill and knowledge as a BSN prepared RN coming out of school now being that I have been in the field for 20+ years...but I now feel as if we are being pushed out of the hospitals as more and more go to a policy of hiring only BSN RNs. What to you think?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

To be frank: I think that you must adapt to this reality and get your BSN.

This is NOT a diss at ADN/ Diploma grads. I have been an LPN and AAS RN before getting my BSN (30 years later). I work with diploma grads who are excellent nurses. But the reality is NOT going to change. No matter how much people complain.

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I actually think it may change - but it's not going to change in the next couple years for sure.

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I won't get a BSN...if I go back to school it will not be in nursing.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Okay, then you need to accept that you may indeed get pushed out of your job, if that is what your facility values.

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With the projected shortages of heathcare workers in general...not just nurses this is a poor time for facilities to alienate any nurse. BSN programs can not keep up with the demand that is coming at least in my state, because there are just a handful statewide. Interestingly enough facilities cite "Magnet Status" as the reason for the push for all BSN prepared RNs when that status doesn't require it and is supposed to increase our job satisfaction while providing top notch care. Just a few thoughts....

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Do you "feel" like you're being pushed out or are you actually being pushed out?

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At this time none of the present employees are being let go if they don't have a BSN, just no new employees will be hired w/o one. Just see it as a trend.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

I would never trade my base education as a diploma nurse but the BSN component complimented it

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Most places, if they are hiring nonBSN, are mandating you get it within 5 years. Now, I find it particularly cruel to let the ADN students do all their clinicals at our facility and then say, sorry not hiring you. Then phase out ADN, like they did diploma. I am a diploma grad who now has a master's, do Imthink it made me a better clinician, nope.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
With the projected shortages of heathcare workers in general...not just nurses this is a poor time for facilities to alienate any nurse. BSN programs can not keep up with the demand that is coming at least in my state, because there are just a handful statewide.

What state do you live in where there is a shortage of nurses? I'm sure many of the new grads who have been looking for work for 6-12 months would love to know!

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Arkansas. I know of no RN without a job who wants one here. A lot of us have more than one job!

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