is a BSN going to soon be required?

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I have heard various people talking about BSN vs. ADN, saying that soon most hospitals and jobs will require you to have a BSN. Does anyone know of any validity to this?? What will happen with all the ADN's, seems there's a lot. Just curious. I plan on going back for my BSN, but maybe I should get on it sooner than later!

Specializes in FNP.

I don't think it is ever going to be an official requirement, but I think it is happening by attrition. My hospital is in a system of 4 hospitals of varying size. The administration has offered to pay for ADN staff to go back for the BSN, but AFIK they are not giving a deadline or threatening them in any way. They have said said they will no longer hire ADNs in the future and their job site specifically states BSN as a requirement for every RN nursing position. The doctors offices and nursing homes will still hire ADNs here though.

They did the same with LPNs years ago- stopped hiring them and just let them retire, etc. We have one LPN left in the system, she has worked there for 33 years.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

They did the same with LPNs years ago- stopped hiring them and just let them retire, etc. We have one LPN left in the system, she has worked there for 33 years.

Actually, hiring for LPN's is picking up around here. Why not, let them do the work for half the pay. :rolleyes:

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Specializes in FNP.

Every area is different. The only thing a LPN can do in this region is LTC. I suspect that the same applies to the AND/BSN stuff. In areas with no nearby BSN programs, they are going to be more willing to go with ADNs. Here, in a rural county with a population of 20,000 we have 3 ADN and 2 BSN programs turning out 150 new nurses a semester for whom there about about 10 jobs. Poor ADNs don't have a prayer in this job market. My neighbor graduated with honors from the best of the ADN programs almost 2 years ago, and she is working for merry maids. I just feel like a maid sometimes, lol.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

We can debate the "big picture question" all day ... but the most important question for an individual person to consider is: "Will a BSN help give me, personally, more career opportunities that are attractive to me or not?"

The answer to that question for most people is "yes." I don't believe ADN's or LPN's will disappear any time soon -- and there will be some people who are perfectly happy with the job opportunities available to them with those credentials. There may be no need for them to further their educations.

However ... the number of jobs requiring a BSN (or higher) is definitely increasing. People who want those jobs will have to get the required education.

That's the only issue that "counts" for an individulal person deciding upon their personal path. Do you want the additional opportunities or not? Will you be content for the rest of your life if you don't have those additional opportunities? Will you be happy if the range of opportunities narrows for ADN and LPN grads in your local area?

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

My hospital is stating in job postings that a BSN will be required in 2018 for all new hires and all departments. I do not know how this will affect us current employees. Currently they do not pay BSN's any more than ADN's and will only cover tuition for a select # of ADN's each yr to attend a specific BSN program that has (gasp) clinicals out of state. No thank you. When they mandate this for current employees and our union can bargain for better tuition reimbursement than I will further my career.

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.
I have heard that MAGNET hospitals require BSNs for specialty areas.

In my magnet facility that is true for the critical care/surgical units.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.
Have hospitals all over the country changed their requirements to "BSN" only in the past? There may have been 'talk' going back decades but was there ever the actual 'action' we are seeing now? It seems to me they are taking definitive steps to make it happen.

This is absolutely correct. Our profession is essentially being regulated by the available job market. Hospitals are taking advantage of the relative surplus by raising the bar to BSN. In the long run, it looks like ADNs may be limited to jobs in 'tier 2' non-urban hospitals.

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And inversely, as the baby boomers retire (including nurses) and health care changes take affect, and the population increases in general, I believe we will see hospitals hiring whatever nurses they can find. They can afford to be picky right now, but in 10 years, the NURSES will be picky, not the hospitals.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I'm actually in the process of applying to a RN to MSN program at the moment. From what I have been reading, seeing, and hearing from nurse recruiters most hospitals are making it mandatory. Here in NY many hospitals are seeking Magnet status so they have adapted the practice of only hiring BSNs. My aunt is a nurse in Maryland and she has been a nurse for many years (over 30) and she said that there have been quite a few meeting within her hospital concerning time limits for RNs to obtain a BSN in order to continue working within most units. So it definitely benefits new grads to obtain a BSN as soon as possible.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
And inversely, as the baby boomers retire (including nurses) and health care changes take affect, and the population increases in general, I believe we will see hospitals hiring whatever nurses they can find. They can afford to be picky right now, but in 10 years, the NURSES will be picky, not the hospitals.

That may be true ... but if that happens, the people with the best educational foundation will still have better access to the best jobs. The people with BSN (and higher) degrees will get "first pick."

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I work at two magnet facilities, both of them are "BSN only" in theory of their new hires. I do see some ADN or Diploma nurses getting hired as new grads on occasion, but typically they had allready worked as a tech at the hospital, done an internship with us, etc.

I think it's unfortunate that hospitals can be this picky. There are alot of excellent ADN and Diploma nurses that have other excellent qualities and skills that are unfortunately, being passed up because of their lack of a degree. Sad.

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ADN + BSN = Same NCLEX = RN...

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