BSN minimum requirement

Lburns · Mar 4, 2001

It is my firm belief that the minimum requirement for nursing should be a BSN. We want to be accepted as a profession, yet we allow 2 year programs to dominate the field. Now I went to a 2 year program and will be finishing my BSN this semester. My school did a great job preparing me for "tasks" of nursing, but oh, it is so much more than that. Many other countries have moved or are moving towards 4yr degree minimums and the US needs to stay atop in this competative field. The nursing shortage will not always be here and it is to your advantage to get your degree now. The 2 yr programs will make a great footstep in the years to come, but the 4yr degree will become the RNs of the future. As nurses move into the 21st century we need to pull together to demonstrate our power as a profession, the only way to do this is to have strong, educated nurses in not just bedside tasks but critically thinking, politics, research and community health. Think about it, comments welcome.

Lynn Casey RN · Mar 5, 2001

Great post L Burns!I agree with you.However,in New Brunswick Canada where I am ,the BN requirement to nurse has adversely effected the health care system too.The standards must be raised for us to be taken seriously as a profession.The BN became a requirement in 2000.In this short a time we are already seeing major problems.One is that the new grads are totally unprepared to nurse as their clinical is minimal and misguided.First,I think the present university programs would have to revamp and combine the two rather than delete the "training"aspect.Problem number two is a majority of these graduates come out and view floor nursing as a "notch" on their resume belts.They are taught to believe that RN is second rate and that you suffer for a couple years before getting a "real job"(That is a quote!)The third and final problem I will introduce is the "grandfather clause".RN's were assured when the diploma program was wiped out that they would in no way be persecueted for not having a degree.Unfortunately our veterans in nursing have become demoralized as a new BN will get a teaching position over a 20 year+ RN simply because a degree is had.As well,my class in 1989 had 100 graduates and I was one of 10 below age 30.We have lost that whole population who really want to be a nurse that cannot entertain the cost of university.I am presently enrolled in my post RN/BN and I must say I am glad I did it this way as I have been fortunate to relay my 12 years experience in class and critical thinking vs the nursing process can be compared and discussed.I am really enjoying this process.(Although I wish I would have started sooner)Because a Masters degree is required to teach now I am looking at another 8 years parttime before I can even submit my resume to do this.Just somethings to think about!Thanks for the post!

Lynn Casey RN · Mar 5, 2001

Great post L Burns!I agree with you.However,in New Brunswick Canada where I am ,the BN requirement to nurse has adversely effected the health care system too.The standards must be raised for us to be taken seriously as a profession.The BN became a requirement in 2000.In this short a time we are already seeing major problems.One is that the new grads are totally unprepared to nurse as their clinical is minimal and misguided.First,I think the present university programs would have to revamp and combine the two rather than delete the "training"aspect.Problem number two is a majority of these graduates come out and view floor nursing as a "notch" on their resume belts.They are taught to believe that RN is second rate and that you suffer for a couple years before getting a "real job"(That is a quote!)The third and final problem I will introduce is the "grandfather clause".RN's were assured when the diploma program was wiped out that they would in no way be persecueted for not having a degree.Unfortunately our veterans in nursing have become demoralized as a new BN will get a teaching position over a 20 year+ RN simply because a degree is had.As well,my class in 1989 had 100 graduates and I was one of 10 below age 30.We have lost that whole population who really want to be a nurse that cannot entertain the cost of university.I am presently enrolled in my post RN/BN and I must say I am glad I did it this way as I have been fortunate to relay my 12 years experience in class and critical thinking vs the nursing process can be compared and discussed.I am really enjoying this process.(Although I wish I would have started sooner)Because a Masters degree is required to teach now I am looking at another 8 years parttime before I can even submit my resume to do this.Just somethings to think about!Thanks for the post!

emtrn2k1 · Mar 5, 2001

I have worked in healthcare for 4 years while attending a AD program. Let me say--I don't know how it is where you are, but here our AD grads come out with a broader knowledge base than any of the 3-yes 3 BSN programs in our immediate area. Our program required us to do lots of critical thinking--much more than the BSN does. Not to mention you tend to get an older, often more mature, and wiser person in an AD program compared to some BSN programs. Don't get me wrong, I'm already working on BSN--and for those of you who went right to college knowing your hearts desire was to be an RN, and have 'what it takes' and can critically think - alot of people can't- I am not bashing you. I'm just saying our program required us to do teaching projects about legislation and political action, critical thinking exercises out the wazoo--and with the nursing shortage if the states required everyone to have a BSN before practicing we would have to shut down hospitals because the units couldn't function without nurses, and those wonderful souls who have been holding the profession together for the last twenty years while 'progression' has totally changed the role of the nurse- some for good some for bad--couldn't honestly be expected to function in that way. There is current legislation to promote LPN programs because our current shortage won't peak until 2003, and then there will be a short decline, but in 10-15 it will reach an all time high, because all those nurses with twenty some years service now are going to get tired of putting up with all the new grads who come in and think they know more than a diploma grad from 1974--and they are going to retire. I learned more working with a diploma RN, an LPN and an LPN-RN thru an AD program with a combined total of 57 years experience than any book could ever teach--AD or BSN!!! In fact most of the coordinators I have talked to say that the AD program was much harder than getting their BSN and even MSN because so much is independent!!

Just to say, lets promote the profession and education--but we would be stupid to cut our noses off to spite our faces.

emtrn2k1 · Mar 5, 2001

I have worked in healthcare for 4 years while attending a AD program. Let me say--I don't know how it is where you are, but here our AD grads come out with a broader knowledge base than any of the 3-yes 3 BSN programs in our immediate area. Our program required us to do lots of critical thinking--much more than the BSN does. Not to mention you tend to get an older, often more mature, and wiser person in an AD program compared to some BSN programs. Don't get me wrong, I'm already working on BSN--and for those of you who went right to college knowing your hearts desire was to be an RN, and have 'what it takes' and can critically think - alot of people can't- I am not bashing you. I'm just saying our program required us to do teaching projects about legislation and political action, critical thinking exercises out the wazoo--and with the nursing shortage if the states required everyone to have a BSN before practicing we would have to shut down hospitals because the units couldn't function without nurses, and those wonderful souls who have been holding the profession together for the last twenty years while 'progression' has totally changed the role of the nurse- some for good some for bad--couldn't honestly be expected to function in that way. There is current legislation to promote LPN programs because our current shortage won't peak until 2003, and then there will be a short decline, but in 10-15 it will reach an all time high, because all those nurses with twenty some years service now are going to get tired of putting up with all the new grads who come in and think they know more than a diploma grad from 1974--and they are going to retire. I learned more working with a diploma RN, an LPN and an LPN-RN thru an AD program with a combined total of 57 years experience than any book could ever teach--AD or BSN!!! In fact most of the coordinators I have talked to say that the AD program was much harder than getting their BSN and even MSN because so much is independent!!

Just to say, lets promote the profession and education--but we would be stupid to cut our noses off to spite our faces.

ddoolan · Mar 5, 2001

LBurns,

I think you may be onto something here, but it will take quite a political upheaval to facilitate this transition. I think higher education is especially necessary for the advancement of the profession from a political standpoint. There seems to be great potential in the nursing profession for growth.

DDoolan

Originally posted by Lburns:
It is my firm belief that the minimum requirement for nursing should be a BSN. We want to be accepted as a profession, yet we allow 2 year programs to dominate the field. Now I went to a 2 year program and will be finishing my BSN this semester. My school did a great job preparing me for "tasks" of nursing, but oh, it is so much more than that. Many other countries have moved or are moving towards 4yr degree minimums and the US needs to stay atop in this competative field. The nursing shortage will not always be here and it is to your advantage to get your degree now. The 2 yr programs will make a great footstep in the years to come, but the 4yr degree will become the RNs of the future. As nurses move into the 21st century we need to pull together to demonstrate our power as a profession, the only way to do this is to have strong, educated nurses in not just bedside tasks but critically thinking, politics, research and community health. Think about it, comments welcome.

ddoolan · Mar 5, 2001

LBurns,

I think you may be onto something here, but it will take quite a political upheaval to facilitate this transition. I think higher education is especially necessary for the advancement of the profession from a political standpoint. There seems to be great potential in the nursing profession for growth.

DDoolan

Originally posted by Lburns:
It is my firm belief that the minimum requirement for nursing should be a BSN. We want to be accepted as a profession, yet we allow 2 year programs to dominate the field. Now I went to a 2 year program and will be finishing my BSN this semester. My school did a great job preparing me for "tasks" of nursing, but oh, it is so much more than that. Many other countries have moved or are moving towards 4yr degree minimums and the US needs to stay atop in this competative field. The nursing shortage will not always be here and it is to your advantage to get your degree now. The 2 yr programs will make a great footstep in the years to come, but the 4yr degree will become the RNs of the future. As nurses move into the 21st century we need to pull together to demonstrate our power as a profession, the only way to do this is to have strong, educated nurses in not just bedside tasks but critically thinking, politics, research and community health. Think about it, comments welcome.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 5, 2001

Well this is a debate thats been going on for the twenty years I've been in healthcare. While, I do agree that BSN RNs are prepared "on paper" and in "research modalities," not all of us want that. I was an LPN to RN ADN grad and have pursued my education in other ways. I am an ACLS instructor, pre-hospital educator. I also am a provider for BLS, ENPC, BTLS, PALS and have gotten the CEN certification. So, while I do think college education has its place, personally I'm not too worried about lost opportunities. Good luck...judi

Trauma Columnist · Mar 5, 2001

Well this is a debate thats been going on for the twenty years I've been in healthcare. While, I do agree that BSN RNs are prepared "on paper" and in "research modalities," not all of us want that. I was an LPN to RN ADN grad and have pursued my education in other ways. I am an ACLS instructor, pre-hospital educator. I also am a provider for BLS, ENPC, BTLS, PALS and have gotten the CEN certification. So, while I do think college education has its place, personally I'm not too worried about lost opportunities. Good luck...judi

Tim-GNP · Mar 5, 2001

It also depends upon the structure of the BSN program. Mine was patterned off of a 3 year hospital school of nursing in the area that used to use the college for their A&P, micro & nutrition courses. When the hospital closed, the college took it over [and, as I understand, most of the faculty came with it].

Moral of the story.... don't be so quick to judge ADN or BSN programs... I have seen idiots who graduated from both.

Tim-GNP · Mar 5, 2001

It also depends upon the structure of the BSN program. Mine was patterned off of a 3 year hospital school of nursing in the area that used to use the college for their A&P, micro & nutrition courses. When the hospital closed, the college took it over [and, as I understand, most of the faculty came with it].

Moral of the story.... don't be so quick to judge ADN or BSN programs... I have seen idiots who graduated from both.