BSN requirement for new grads in acute care

[PMFB-RN, RN]

Why would the IOM put out 'false propaganda'?

*** I can't speak to their motivations for doing so. I could guess but it would be no more than a guess as to why they continue to put out false propaganda.

[SE_BSN_RN, BSN]

*** It didn't include any knowlage or information about nursing that had not previously been covered in the ADN program.

Actually, it did. You would be surprised at the questions I had for ADN's while going through my BSN program, and they would say "I don't know, I didn't take that class....."

[SE_BSN_RN, BSN]

*** I can't speak to their motivations for doing so. I could guess but it would be no more than a guess as to why they continue to put out false propaganda.

Nice reply, thanks. Maybe I should re-word my question into "What exactly, are they putting out as false?"

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I think there are different programs....as a working ASN many years ago....I had a perfectly successful career. My employer a few years back wanted their managers/directors to have a BSN. So......I took an online RN-BSN becasue they paid for it....it really didn't "add" anything to my practice. Not one thing. I was a successful director of emergency Services and critical care. I was in charge of 2 ICU's, telemetry/PCU and the ED. For me it added nothing but the knowledge of how to do a paper using and APA style.

I do however believe that nursing needs to decide on one level of RN entry if only to stop this incessant bickering about who is superior. We as nurses have much more important agenda on our plates like staffing ratios and patient safety than to promote a nursing shortage that no longer exists.

The proliferation of the drive through schools and pumping out graduates every six months to a workforce that doesn't need them is irresponsible.

[SE_BSN_RN, BSN]

I think there are different programs....as a working ASN many years ago....I had a perfectly successful career. My employer a few years back wanted their managers/directors to have a BSN. So......I took an online RN-BSN becasue they paid for it....it really didn't "add" anything to my practice. Not one thing. I was a successful director of emergency Services and critical care. I was in charge of 2 ICU's, telemetry/PCU and the ED. For me it added nothing but the knowledge of how to do a paper using and APA style.

I do however believe that nursing needs to decide on one level of RN entry if only to stop this incessant bickering about who is superior. We as nurses have much more important agenda on our plates like staffing ratios and patient safety than to promote a nursing shortage that no longer exists.

The proliferation of the drive through schools and pumping out graduates every six months to a workforce that doesn't need them is irresponsible.

I agree. My reasoning behind my question to PMFB-RN, is that....if the IOM is putting out false information, I used them as sources in some of my papers, and if I am putting in wrong info, where do I obtain the right info??

And, I worked hard for my BSN. Having someone tell me, or other new grads how crappy their program was, and how useless they think a BSN is, is pretty crappy in itself. I agree that the degree you hold doesn't make the nurse, but, seriously.... if the ANA and other places think needing a BSN is important, than perhaps it is. Makes me feel like maybe the school I went to isn't such a "diploma mill" after all.....especially considering the amount of work I had to do, and the dedication of my instructors!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I am sure you did work hard for you BSN....no one said you didn't. I worked hard for my ASN back in the day....I have been at this for 35 years. I can give most nurses a good run for their money....regardless of my, of their, degree. I have a problem with the assumption that one degree or another makes one superior over another...or that the possession of a degree makes one superior over anyone else. Unfortunately I have met many over educated individuals in my career...with plenty of book smarts

A new grad, is a new grad, is a new grad. You are all....new grads.

One can find evidence to support whatever data one is wishing to promote. I have, as of yet, seen a paper that compares to identical facilities..... one that has BSN grads and one that has ADN grads....with statistics that proves the facility with the BSN grads has better outcomes...in a NON academic setting. Contrary to popular belief...most of the modern advances and technology has been dealt with by diploma and ASN/ADN grads for many years and our outcomes have been great. Who else has been dealing with these advances before a BSN has become such a popular debate.

I have heard this argument for ALL of my 35 years in nursing. I grow weary of hearing it over and over again. I think the requirements and quality of programs that have proliferated during these economic times with everyone jumping on the "Nursing Shortage" band wagon that has done little to maintain the quality of eduction. I agree that the market with a plethora of grads has allowed hospitals to dictate who they will hire. I agree that the nurse run "Magnet" status, which is bought for a price, is pushing to have a majority of BSN grads....however I have failed to witness that this has done anything to improve conditions or patient outcomes.

I don't think the IOM is wrong per se...however I do believe that they are promoting an agenda which skews their results. I am suspicious as to why a bunch of physicians is obsessed with the education of nurses when they actually grant nurses any significance in actual practice.

[nursel56]

I am sure you did work hard for you BSN....no one said you didn't. I worked hard for my ASN back in the day....I have been at this for 35 years. I can give most nurses a good run for their money....regardless of my, of their, degree. I have a problem with the assumption that one degree or another makes one superior over another...or that the possession of a degree makes one superior over anyone else. Unfortunately I have met many over educated individuals in my career...with plenty of book smarts

A new grad, is a new grad, is a new grad. You are all....new grads.

One can find evidence to support whatever data one is wishing to promote. I have, as of yet, seen a paper that compares to identical facilities..... one that has BSN grads and one that has ADN grads....with statistics that proves the facility with the BSN grads has better outcomes...in a NON academic setting. Contrary to popular belief...most of the modern advances and technology has been dealt with by diploma and ASN/ADN grads for many years and our outcomes have been great. Who else has been dealing with these advances before a BSN has become such a popular debate.

I have heard this argument for ALL of my 35 years in nursing. I grow weary of hearing it over and over again. I think the requirements and quality of programs that have proliferated during these economic times with everyone jumping on the "Nursing Shortage" band wagon that has done little to maintain the quality of eduction. I agree that the market with a plethora of grads has allowed hospitals to dictate who they will hire. I agree that the nurse run "Magnet" status, which is bought for a price, is pushing to have a majority of BSN grads....however I have failed to witness that this has done anything to improve conditions or patient outcomes.

I don't think the IOM is wrong per se...however I do believe that they are promoting an agenda which skews their results. I am suspicious as to why a bunch of physicians is obsessed with the education of nurses when they actually grant nurses any significance in actual practice.

The idea that they would come up with any conclusion regarding the charge of their committee to assess the state of nursing education and make recommendations for the future other than the same one they had been promoting since 1965 was a farce. They didn't even give lip service to the plethora of other possibilities a committee starting without a pre-ordained conclusion would have. It isn't totally without value. I agree with you though. I'm sick of the infighting and letting the people who propagate it frame the debate as they have.

The marketplace may decide for us all and I have seen some glimmers of hope in the form of several schools either allowing community colleges to offer a BSN or partnerships being formed with ADN programs and BSN programs in local colleges that create a pathway for ADN grads to seamlessly transition to bridge programs without a lot of red tape. Wish they'd started this long ago!