Hospital Requiring BSN or your pay will be Capped?

[BlearnRN]

Is any other hospital out there doing this? We have just been told that if you do not have a BSN, your pay will be capped and you cannot be promoted past a certain point. Oh and also the nurses that have been there a million year--they are making them either take a demotion in title or go back for a certification/BSN in order to stay at their payrate and title. There is talk about having the million year nurses being "granfathered" in ...... But about this whole thing ---I don't think this is really a smart thing to do especially in a recession and shortage. People are considering leaving and going to a hospital that does not do this. What do you think?

[showbizrn]

I never heard of this.

what a bummer.

It's a shame that your hospital doesn't respect RNs period!

If the demotions are negative reinforcemnts to send RNs back-to-school, I consider it mistreatment.

But that's just my

[leslie :-D]

personally, i don't have a problem with this for new hires.

but i do have a lot of concern about those who have working there a long time.

if anything, the hosp should be doing something to retain these experienced nurses.

demote them?

holy cow.

they just don't get it, do they?

leslie

[caliotter3]

I don't suppose the hospital is paying tuition and otherwise accommodating nurses who choose to go back to school to meet the requirement. If the hospital refuses to do this, then those affected should leave. But then, that is probably exactly what the administration wants these people to do anyway. Sounds like it is becoming a very unfriendly place to work. Your post should be placed in those threads that ask the question concerning the BSN becoming mandatory. A lot easier to get that degree at the beginning of a career than dragging oneself back to school toward retirement time.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

personally, i don't have a problem with this for new hires.

but i do have a lot of concern about those who have working there a long time.

if anything, the hosp should be doing something to retain these experienced nurses.

demote them?

holy cow.

they just don't get it, do they?

leslie

I don't suppose the hospital is paying tuition and otherwise accommodating nurses who choose to go back to school to meet the requirement. If the hospital refuses to do this, then those affected should leave. But then, that is probably exactly what the administration wants these people to do anyway. Sounds like it is becoming a very unfriendly place to work. Your post should be placed in those threads that ask the question concerning the BSN becoming mandatory. A lot easier to get that degree at the beginning of a career than dragging oneself back to school toward retirement time.

I totally agree. If you are an incumbant employee who has proven yourself to be a skilled, competent nurse, this should not happen. Having a BSN does not automatically mean that you are qualified to perform safe patient care with positive outcomes alone. Experience does that.

And, I also think that even if paying tuition is offered, it is more difficult and even stressful to attend school under these circumstances, when you are either set in your ways or focusing on retirement. No matter how you slice it, this is a financial, emotional and physical commitment and if you are settled in your life, it is hard to face upheaval this late in the game. It looks like this is forcing people to go elsewhere. Sad...really said.

[caliotter3]

A way to "upgrade" the workforce and replace workers by attrition. Every nurse who leaves, is one less that the hospital has to pay out retirement benefits to. Can be replaced by a new nurse at less pay, perhaps with less benefits. A tactic used by many employers to manipulate their bottom line. They also get the advantage of having something to brag about to the public by insinuating that their nurses are of a higher caliber.

[Jolie, BSN]

I would insist that the hospital go one step further and find a college university willing to offer classes on-site at hours convenient to all involved staff.

If the hospital fails to adequately support this requirement, then it is clear that it amounts to nothing more than a means of getting rid of seasoned RNs, something the public should know.

[Mexarican]

sounds like a good idea to me...it will further the profession...

Mex

[nicurn001]

Sorry to be cynical Mexarican but Caliotter3 , has got it precisely !

What a wonderful way to get rid of experienced nurses ( who coincidentally are expensive ) , whilst upgrading to newly graduated BSN Nurses , who are generally younger , idealistic and cheap.

[BinkieRN, BSN, RN]

I'd say this hospital is going to be sorely hurting for nurses and paying alot of overtime. I just hope patients don't suffer for their ignorance

[jessi1106, BSN, RN]

I have never heard of pay being capped. I do work at a hospital going for magnet status and our unit is now only hiring BSN prepared nurses.

The payscale is no different than ADN prepared though and there has certainly been no talk of further education, demotion, etc for our ADN nurses. What a shame your hospital is doing this! You will most likely lose excellent/experienced nurses...and where will all the new BSN's come from? Aren't over 60% of RNs without a BSN? In additon, we are still in a nursing shortage! My state is 7000 nurses short. Sounds like there will be lots of tension in your workplace, hope the nurses can organize and not let demotions, etc take place.

[justme1972]

I'm "all for" a BSN, and there is nothing wrong with doing this for new hires, but as the other poster said, to the veterans, it's a slap in the face.