Get your BSN or "Get Out"

[APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

The entire nursing staff at my facility received word from management and HR that the ADN/RN staff have less than ten years to get at least a BSN degree. All RN positions by "D Day" will be required to be filled by an RN with a BSN degree or they will essentially be fired. There are more than a few ADN RN's affected where I work. I feel really bad for all the ADN's. I have so many questions;

Is BSN the new ADN? Is this happening anywhere else? Is it really legal to be able to re-write the conditions of employment after you're already hired when it comes to level of education? There is no grandfathering in of ADN's unless they've hit the big 6 0 by "D Day". I'd really like to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

It's nice that they gave everyone ten years. I've seen LPNs thrown out in a week. It does seem like BSN will be required at some point, but for now, there are markets where ADNs have no trouble finding work.

The area I live in is pretty tough for ADNs, but I did manage to find a job I like very much with a few years of acute care experience obtained in another state (and a stable non-nursing employment history prior to that).

[featherzRN, MSN]

There are several programs to get your BSN in

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

With "at will" employment the employer doesn't need a reason to discontinue the employment contract. Hopefully your employer offers some tuition reimbursement.

[caliotter3]

The first time I read about BSN level education as the requirement was 45 years ago. Certainly no secrets here.

[MatrixRn]

In answer to your question is the BSN the new ADN? Yes, but this is not new. For years, the drum beat has been get your BSN. From a nursing stand point it sets a minimal for entry into the field.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Yes, it's perfectly legal to change the requirements of a job.

10 years to get the BSN is much longer than the 2-5 years often given elsewhere.

I do like that they give an age exemption. It'd be sad to force someone near retirement age to upgrade in order to keep their jobs in the last 1-5 years of their careers.

bottom line is that everyone under 50 has 10 years to decide what they want to do...upgrade your education or move on to other opportunities.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

I'm all for it. It sets a standard for entry into the profession. While they're at it, an ADN should be the entry degree for LPNs.

Sent from my iPad using allnurses.com

[Caffeine_IV]

10 years is very fair IMO. Most places here say 3 years. They don't have to do that.

I'm getting my BSN now but wish I had the sense to do it sooner.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

Just about every hospital here has done the same thing. Time to jump on the train or be left behind...

[MatrixRn]

If a facilty is trying for magnet status they need to show that they have a plan in place to have 80% of the nurses at the bedside have a BSN by 2020.

That said not all hospitals are magnet status.

[llg, PhD, RN]

As others have said, many leaders within the profession have been talking about BSN requirements for decades. However, little could be done about it because there were too few nurses to fill the job vacancies and facilities couldn't afford to alienate the ADN/Diploma population. However, when the economy changed and a surplus of nurses developed, those people who have wanted to require BSN's for years have finally gotten the chance to put teeth behind the talk.

Sure, the job market will change again in the future ... but by then, there will probably have been a sufficient cultural shift to maintain at least some of the momentum. Whether you think that is a good thing or bad thing, that's pretty much the way it is.