By 2010 (PLEASE READ!!)

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Hi everyone!! I am very new to this website....and to this career path as well.

I am currently in college gathering up all my pre-reqs to try to gain entry into the nursing program at CLC. If I can get in, I will start the 2 year program in 2011.

However, my husband (who is an ER tech/firemedic) works at Lake Forest Hospital and has been hearing some pretty unsettling rumors. He talks about me a lot, so all the other RN's and even CNA's like to give him advice to give to me.

They have all told him that they have been hearing that by 2010....the Illinois Nursing Association will change the rules and regulations. Basically, if I am NOT in the program by then....I will have to obtain my Master's in order to work as an RN. Anywhere.

Is this true?? I have tried verifying that online but I am not getting anywhere. Can somebody PLEASE let me know so I can alter a few things in my life??

Any feedback will be much appreciated. Thank you!!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Would like to know what the source for this is? I haven't heard anything like this.

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Specializes in home health, peds, case management.

well...

#1. the ina does not (directly) set the educational requirements for entry into nursing, that is the responsibility of the il dept of financial and professional regulation by way of the nurse practice act. the state board of nursing then interprets the act.

this may help: ina info on the difference between ina and bon:

http://www.illinoisnurses.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=250

#2. to the best of my knowledge, no states even require a bsn for entry level rns. if i remember correctly, nd tried it for a few years back in the 80's or 90's....it didn't work. considering that no state currently requires a bsn for entry level rns, i think it highly unlikely that any state would make the msn mandatory.

#3. we just got a new npa. while i'm sure a mechanism exists for amending it, it would have to go thru the legislative process-just like any other law.

i'm thinking you are having difficulty in finding any information about this because it simply isn't true.

good luck with your studies!

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SEEMS LIKE A FEW YEARS AGO THERE WAS THE RUMOR THAT THERE WOULD BR NO MORE CNA'S ONLY LPN'S.

THEN THERE WAS THE RUMOR THAT THERE WOULD BE NO MORE LPN'S ONLY RN'S.

MOST STATES ALREADY HAVE A NURSING SHORTAGE,IF EVERYONE WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE THEIR MASTERS,HOW SHORT WOULD WE BE THEN?

I THINK JUST ANOTHER RUMOR.:typing

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hi - i can tell you that clc is going to start requiring a cna prior to entering the nursing program. i'm not sure exactly when this will take place but i think before you're planning to attend.

good luck.

i graduate from clc in may:yeah:

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

The IL Nurse Practice Act, which defines education and regulates professional nursing practice, "sunsets" regularly (I think it's every 8 or 10 years.) At that time, a new act is written and adopted by the state legislature.

The current NPA just went into effect on January 10, 2008. So it is not possible for educational requirements to change in 2010, even if there was public and professional support for such a change (which there isn't.)

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I'm just wrapping up my second semester at CLC. I'll graduate in December of '09. It is my understanding that starting next fall ('09) you must have your CNA before beginning the program. Also, they are switching to a 2 semester A&P class rather than trying to cram everything into one semester. I think there are a few other changes too - some psych classes (above and beyond Intro).

You can make an appointment with one of the nursing advisors at CLC to review what you've done so far. I'd recommend doing it before you get too far into taking a bunch of pre-reqs. Requirements can change, so you want to make sure you have the most up-to-date info. It is also a requirement to attend a Nursing Department info meeting within a certain amount of time of entry (I think it's within 2 years or something like that).

As far as your hubby's friends at work saying you need an MSN to work as an RN - that's the first I've heard of it!

Good luck, and please feel free to PM (private message) me if you have any specific questions regarding CLC.

Colleen

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