How much education to be a state inspector?

Published

Specializes in Geriatrics.

My hubby has started his pre-req's for his RN, then plans to pursue bachelor's and master's. He says he wants to be a state inspector. Does he need all this education for that?

Blessings, Michelle

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

Not where I have seen. I know surveyors that are ADN's. But, most of them have been DON's and multiple years of experience under the belt. It isn't the degree they are looking for but, the experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In my state.. you need to be an RN with at least 5-8 years of experience (a BS counts for 1 year of experience and Masters is 2 years total). He still needs to work a regular nursing job for the other part of the required experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked as a surveyor for my state for several years, and most of the nurse surveyors (even the team leader/bosses) were ADN-prepared with no additional formal education. However, we all had many years of clinical experience. I think, from my experience doing it, that the experience is a much more significant factor for surveying than (additional) formal education.

If the OP's husband is serious about pursuing a career as a surveyor, he'd be much better off hunkering down and getting several years of full-time, varied, solid clinical experience than spending extra years getting additional degrees. Surveying is something people do after they've already established a successful clinical career, not something you do starting out in nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Michelle,

I applied for an opening with the division of health and human services approximately 6 months ago and one of the requirements was a 4 year degree here in North Carolina. This would be a dream job, it just seems that this is the only sure way to keep patients safe these days.:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Michelle,

I applied for an opening with the division of health and human services approximately 6 months ago and one of the requirements was a 4 year degree here in North Carolina. This would be a dream job, it just seems that this is the only sure way to keep patients safe these days.:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

The requirements vary from state to state. To work for my state government in any capacity, a BSN is required. Board of Health, BON, state-run facilities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in A myriad of specialties.
it isn't the degree they are looking for but, the experience.

this is unfortunately not the case in our state. that rn is the magic title here. i'm an lpn with nearly 25 years' experience and a bs in psychology. about 8 years ago i applied for a state surveyor job as i'd had many years' experience(more than half my nursing career) in ltc's. requirements for the surveyor job were (1): 2+ years' experience in the nursing field, social work, or work with persons with developmental disabilities and a bs in a related field or (2) currently licensed as an rn.

probation period was a whole year during which you had to take state and federal exams for various certifications. i was so sure that i'd be bringing the best of both worlds to that job and be selected but it became apparent that an rn is really what they wanted. obviously they must have had a number of lpns apply as it wasn't too long before the qualifications were changed to include this statement: "lpn status is not acceptable as training or experience." interesting....social workers could be accepted but one with many years' experience with ltcs was not. very sad because ltc's are typically staffed heavily with lpns, so who better to work in the role of a surveyor???

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

I'm sorry but, I was referring to various RN degrees and not LPN's. I have never known an LPN to be a surveyor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm sorry but, I was referring to various RN degrees and not LPN's. I have never known an LPN to be a surveyor.

Ditto. My state is one that doesn't require a BSN, just RN licensure (minimum); but you do have to be an RN -- LPNs are not considered for surveying positions, even in LTC, regardless of how much clinical experience they may have.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych, ambulatory care, ER.

I am a surveyor with my state's Department of Health. I just returned today from some survey training, where I had the opportunity to meet surveyors from all over the U.S. Many of the nurses stated that a BSN was required to be a State surveyor in their state, while others lived in a state that required a Master's degree.

I have an associate degree RN with 10 years of nursing experience in varied clinical settings. Although postings for this position in my state say "Masters preferred", it just ain't gonna happen. I live in a state with a high cost of living and low state wages. The salary range offered will not attract a registered nurse with a Master's degree.

Bottom line, different states have different requirements.

oldladyRN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Seems to me that I saw job listings for that postiion in my state that required a master's degree or that a master's degree was the preferred education level.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion