Graduate degrees as entry-level for other healthcare professions

Nurses General Nursing

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You all are probably aware that PT requires (or will soon require, can't recall) the masters degree for entry into practice. Pharmacists need the PharmD. Etc., etc. Did any of these other non-nursing professions have a lot of controversy over adopting these standards? Or any standards, for that matter. Nursing doesn't agree on what the standards should be, unless you consider the multiple points of entry a "standard".

The debates in nursing over proper entry-level have been going on and on for years. North Dakota (and Canada, yes?) has adopted the BSN as the entry-level. How did this come about? What did it take for the legislators to sit down and say, "this is how it's going to be, no ifs ands or buts"? How is nursing affected in these areas due to the BSN being required?

Specializes in LDRP; Education.

Thanks for noticing my sig line, but actually I think it fits me and my opinions perfectly and congruently! :D

While I value education and feel that education is NEVER wasted, there is a difference between simply regurgitating facts presented to you (which requires being educated on them) and actually challenging what you heard and having original thought (that requires actual THINKING) ;) So while I proport education, I also encourage actually USING it and applying, versus simple rote memorization. Am I making sense?

Plus I think it helps people to understand why it seems like I "disagree" with everyone. It's not necessarily disagreeing but more so challenging one on their views and why they hold those views. I don't accept answers like "because" or something like that. I learn from others just as much as anyone else, and their reasoning for their beliefs is of interest to me. When people don't give that to me, I literally starve. :D

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Alrightyyyyyyyyyyy thennnnnnnnn....:D

Are we done yet...are we done yet.....are we done yet.........:rotfl:

My my my......what magnificent discussions have gone on since I left this BB seven hours ago! Have we resolved anything yet? Is anyone all the wiser for what they've read thus far on this thread? Any nursing students and seasoned nurses without their BSN feel the need to now obtain it after reading this thread thus far? How about each person sharing what they've gained thus far from this thread's topic so the rest of us can compare notes? Thanks.....really enjoying this.....really I am.....cause I, for one, will be returning to college in the very near future. For what you ask????? Glad you asked......shows you have an inquiring mind. ;) Well......counseling is my future.....Psych nurse/group therapist.....for starters. :kiss

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WWOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWw!

And you all want to march together? ROFLMAO

Renee

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Anyone note the one of the richest, most talented, most accomplished individuals in the world today.......dropped out of college.

Bill Gates, to whom we owe alot of our ability to carry on this debate online.

(okay, just had to stir up the masses with that one)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

YOU STOLE MY THUNDER CAROL~ I was just about to say that myself. Whoever says life experiences cannot replace formal education is only part right and has not lived long obviously. All one need to is speak to an elder of any culture to see how that is not entirely true. Like I said before, (ad nauseum) I respect education but let us don't forget the WHOLE person when considering one's worth and place in society. Thank you for that CAROL!

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.
Originally posted by caroladybelle

Anyone note the one of the richest, most talented, most accomplished individuals in the world today.......dropped out of college.

Bill Gates, to whom we owe alot of our ability to carry on this debate online.

(okay, just had to stir up the masses with that one)

Let's not forget that Bill Gates did drop out of Harvard, simply because he was too advanced for what they were teaching and had different interests. That's a helluva lot of difference between THAT, and simply saying "I don't NEED education simply because I am so many years old."

Life experiences count for alot yes, but one single human being's life experience is pathetically narrow compared to what life is really about. Just because I haven't traveled to the Roman ruins doesn't mean I can't discuss them or their impact (still) on Western culture. I simply feel that there is too much to learn about life outside my own little teeny tiny backyard - unfortunately the world is too big and time too scarce to see it all - therefore it HAS to come from formal education. ;)

If I could, I would travel extensively and visit cultures and every flippin piece of land on this earth, as well as space travel, and make sure to speak with people who've all had different experiences, lives, jobs, decisions, accomplishments, rather than attending class at night. But, it's not feasible for most people. Therefore, if I relied on MY own life experience of being who I am, living where I do, I'd be robbed of what human beings - as a WHOLE, have to offer.

Not to mention, alot of the people I want to talk to are simply....DEAD. :eek: Formal education replaces that.

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wow, suzy k...you are so eloquent! i agree 100% with EVERYTHING you say.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Originally posted by caroladybelle

Anyone note the one of the richest, most talented, most accomplished individuals in the world today.......dropped out of college.

Bill Gates, to whom we owe alot of our ability to carry on this debate online.

(okay, just had to stir up the masses with that one)

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: Carry on.....as Bill Gates would say! :D

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I attend a 3 year diploma program. We go to school M-F from 9-3. I have to say it bothers me that I am attending school for 3 years and not even gettting a degree when I could have gone to a BSN program for an extra year. I simply couldn't afford a BSN program. I plan on continuing with my education and I think all nurses should get their BSN and even their masters, but it would be unrealistic at this point to make a BSN entry level, because of the shortage.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

I hear ya Flo.........It makes me sick to my stomach to think I earned more nursing credit hours than a BSN and graduated with an AAS instead! What college educated fuddy duddy did that to me and my comrades back in the day? :confused: :rolleyes:

Oh well......no regrets because this woman has done marvelous things as an AAS/RN. When I worked as a traveling nurse, I earned equal to or more money than those with Masters.......and I always made more than Nurse Managers as a traveling nurse. Contract nursing is the only way to go if you want to make megabucks, nurses!

In the military hospitals I worked for, I also reached the GS-11 level as an AAS/RN....so don't cha cry no river for this woman.....I DONE GOOD YA'LL! :D :nurse:

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