Can a hospital legally force you to get your bsn if you are an adn

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Can a hospital legally force or require an RN who only has their adn to become a bsn or be fired??? That is the rumor at our hospital.

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Assuming that the rumor is true ... *cough* *cough* ;)

They aren't forcing you to do anything. They are not "forcing" you to enroll at XYZ college/university, register for classes, complete classes, or graduate. They are simply saying that as of X date, you will need a BSN to remain employed as an RN by that hospital. You are free to meet the requirement, or not, as you wish.

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This is what I have been hearing for years. I have just never gotten around to it and now I feel to old to go back to school. Just feeing bullied.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

This is common in other professions.

Teachers in many districts are given a set amount of time to obtain a Master's Degree or be terminated.

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Assuming that the rumor is true ... *cough* *cough* ;)

They aren't forcing you to do anything. They are not "forcing" you to enroll at XYZ college/university, register for classes, complete classes, or graduate. They are simply saying that as of X date, you will need a BSN to remain employed as an RN by that hospital. You are free to meet the requirement, or not, as you wish.

If you were hired as an ADN you were deemed compliant with all education requirements. If now the hospital has changed its requirements to BSN status, I believe that is an "mandatory education requirement" and as such, the hospital has to pay for it. I would consult an employment law specialist, but if you are able to function within your job duties, I can't see why the hospitals quest for maget status should come out of your pocket.

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A hospitals qualifications for a position is not set in stone and can be modified at any time. The hospitals cannot force anyone to do anything, but they can fire and hire at will. Might cost them money in unemployment claims.

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If you were hired as an ADN you were deemed compliant with all education requirements. If now the hospital has changed its requirements to BSN status, I believe that is an "mandatory education requirement" and as such, the hospital has to pay for it. I would consult an employment law specialist, but if you are able to function within your job duties, I can't see why the hospitals quest for maget status should come out of your pocket.

They are not paying for it and you will not be getting a pay increase to get it, that is what I am being told.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Sounds like a choice: get your BSN=continue to work here, don't=work elsewhere. It may seem forced but they can choose who works for them or not just as you can choose where you work. Although their approach may suck, I would take the opportunity to advance my credentials and career. It's not like getting a BSN will hurt you.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"Many health care organizations are taking advantage of both the economic downturn and the growing numbers of qualified nurses (new BSN grads, returning nurses and those delaying retirement) available to increase their minimum educational and experience requirements. From what I've seen, this is a growing trend and I think that anyone planning on a nursing career would be well advised to enter a BSN program rather than ADN or diploma program. Not suggesting that ADN or diploma RNs are in any way inferior to BSNs (I am an ADN-RN) just that the reality of the marketplace is that the BSN - with the active assistance of the ANA and other nursing organizations by the way - is rapidly becoming the entry level credential. "

Seems as if the economy is helping the professional nursing organizations achieve their long-time goal. This is the most common-sense statement encouraging ADN's to advance their degree that I've seen in a long time, No emotion, no "one-is-better-than-the-other" statement, just: here's the reality, better get ready for it!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
They are not paying for it and you will not be getting a pay increase to get it, that is what I am being told.

OP, I do have to wonder if what you're "being told" is coming straight from administration or is it simply a rumor flying around. You keep saying that you've heard this is coming, but you don't say from whom you've heard it. Is it possible that you don't have the straight story yet?

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Specializes in Cardiology.
There presently is legislation in NJ called "BSN in 10". I for one am behind it, although I'd be grandfathered in.....I am getting my BSN anyway to expand my knowledge and opportunities. I believe it will only help the nursing profession :)

http://www.nj-ena.org/BSNin10.pdf

Why would you be grandfathered in? I see nothing about granting a BSN for time as an ASN? Doesn't make sense, you have to "earn" a BSN. I am glad to hear that you are planning on earning your BSN!

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Specializes in FNP.
OP, I do have to wonder if what you're "being told" is coming straight from administration or is it simply a rumor flying around. You keep saying that you've heard this is coming, but you don't say from whom you've heard it. Is it possible that you don't have the straight story yet?

I have no idea what is going on at the OPs institution, but we don't pay extra for the BSN, it is simply a job requirement. As in w/o it, you aren't going to get paid at all, lol. We do have tuition reimbursement for successful completion (minium grade B) up to $1000 a semester for nurses going after the MSN. It has such ridiculous strings attached I'd never take a dome of it though.

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Can a hospital legally force or require an RN who only has their adn to become a bsn or be fired??? That is the rumor at our hospital.

They did this to our LPNs-go for your RN (they would pay for it) or you will be a nursing assistant or no longer work there.

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