Can magnet hospital require 62 yr old RN to complete BSN?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Magnet-status hospitals often have policies that encourage or require their nursing staff to pursue higher levels of education, such as obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). However, the specific requirements and policies can vary from one hospital to another.

The short answer is that yes, your employer can require you to have a BSN unless you have a contract stating otherwise. 

However, it's in the best interest of the hospital to retain experienced and dedicated employees like the nurse in your scenario. In your scenario, the nurse is 62 years old with 33 years of experience and has worked at the magnet facility for two years. 

Given their extensive experience and contributions to the hospital, one would hope that the hospital administration would show some flexibility regarding the completion of the BSN requirement, especially considering the recent health challenges faced by the nurse. However, this is not always the case and depends on various factors, such as the hospital's values, how close they are to meeting their quota, and whether they believe in making exceptions.

It is only possible for the nurse to appeal their situation. By showing their dedication to their profession and their readiness to collaborate with the hospital to overcome any obstacles, the nurses may be able to find a solution that enables them to continue making valuable contributions to the organization.

Here are some steps the nurse could consider:

• Communicate with management. The nurse should have an open and honest conversation with their supervisors or the human resources department about their situation. They should explain their health challenges and discuss possible accommodations or extensions for completing the BSN requirement.
• Documentation of performance. The nurse should gather any documentation or evidence of their outstanding performance and contributions to the hospital. This could include performance reviews, awards, letters of recommendation, or any other recognition they have received.
• Request for accommodations. Based on their health challenges and exemplary performance, the nurse could formally request accommodations from the hospital administration. This could include extended deadlines, modified workload, or alternative options for completing the BSN requirement.
• Explore support services. The hospital may offer support services or resources to help employees complete their educational requirements. The nurse should inquire about any available assistance, such as tutoring, flexible scheduling, or financial support for tuition.

 If the hospital is unwilling or unable to accommodate the nurse's situation, they could explore external options for completing the BSN requirement. This could include transferring to a non-magnet facility that doesn't have the same requirements or seeking online programs with more flexible schedules.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth