Is your hospital requiring more out of nurses?

Misskala · Jan 21, 2014

Following. Interested to hear replies.

elkpark · Jan 21, 2014

Hospitals have been doing this sort of thing for years. When I was doing a BSN completion program in 1992, a large cohort of our students were nurse managers from the local large hospital, who had all been told one day that they had to have a BSN by (X) date, or step down from their NM positions, because the hospital was going to a minimum-BSN management model. The requirements and expectations keep getting racheted up over the years; those who choose not to keep up do so at their own (professional) peril.

I thought that the entire point of clinical ladders was that you have to "jump through hoops" (like completing additional education and/or getting national certification; meeting additional requirements beyond simple licensure and tenure) to get and maintain the status. That's a new thing at your facility? That seems odd to me.

generalRN2008 · Jan 21, 2014

The hospital I work at wants BSN for the floor and MSN for NM or educator spots

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jan 21, 2014

As healthcare becomes more complex, it is logical that worker qualifications will increase. I just hope that this is also reflected in the compensation structures. Five years ago, my organization mandated MSNs for all nurse manager positions. No one was grandfathered (grandmothered?) in, but incumbents were provided with a time period & financial support to get their degrees.

Effective clinical ladders require some sort of periodic validation... otherwise, they would be like tenure; work really hard to get to a top level then just slack off - LOL. They should also review & modify criteria on a regular basis in order to stay relevant & congruent with changing organizational needs.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 21, 2014

It seems pretty normal to me. The whole idea of a clinical ladder is supposed to be that the people on the top rungs have done "extra" stuff to deserve it. With BSN becoming the goal for all staff nurses at major acute care hospitals, it's only natural that hospitals would start requiring it (or more) for those who want to be on the top rungs of the ladder.

Misskala · Jan 21, 2014

[i thought that the entire [i]point[/i] of clinical ladders was that you have to "jump through hoops" (like completing additional education and/or getting national certification; meeting additional requirements beyond simple licensure and tenure) to get and maintain the status.

I agree with your points.

I am starting to see, however, BSN only are able to apply (that's new for hospitals to be firm about), and also asking for national certification in area you are applying to (IE so that would mean a floor med-surg job, you'd have to have BSN and Med-Surg certification; this is also something I am newly seeing.)

All in all, this makes it harder for a "new nurse" with 1-2 years experience, who is wanting to apply to a new facility in a new area of interest.

I'm not sure I like what it is asking us newer nurses to do: stick in the same field, most likely the same position/job/floor for 2-3 years while you earn a certification....and then move on. Hmmm? As a new grad, this is a really big commitment.

allnurses Guide · Jan 21, 2014

The hospital I work at wants BSN for the floor and MSN for NM or educator spots

This is my hospital as well. Has been for some time now.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 21, 2014

[quote=KaLynRN;7710240

I'm not sure I like what it is asking us newer nurses to do: stick in the same field, most likely the same position/job/floor for 2-3 years while you earn a certification....and then move on. Hmmm? As a new grad, this is a really big commitment.

I agree that it is a big committment. But look at what a new grad is asking a hospital to do -- invest $25,000 to $75,000 in orientation costs (exact amount depends on clinical specialty and particular hospital). A new grad is asking the hospital to invest a lot of money and staff energy on a new grad orientation program plus ongoing support for at least another 6 months before the average new grad is fully up to speed. It's no wonder that hospitals have started to ask for a committment from the new grad in exchange for that investment.

allnurses Guide · Jan 21, 2014

I agree with your points.
I am starting to see, however, BSN only are able to apply (that's new for hospitals to be firm about), and also asking for national certification in area you are applying to (IE so that would mean a floor med-surg job, you'd have to have BSN and Med-Surg certification; this is also something I am newly seeing.)
All in all, this makes it harder for a "new nurse" with 1-2 years experience, who is wanting to apply to a new facility in a new area of interest.
I'm not sure I like what it is asking us newer nurses to do: stick in the same field, most likely the same position/job/floor for 2-3 years while you earn a certification....and then move on. Hmmm? As a new grad, this is a really big commitment.

2-3 years is a big commitment?? That statement amazes me. Honestly, that should be the goal at a minimum, to find a job one can stay at least that long in. I am baffled that one would consider this a big commitment. Most specialties are looking for two years of acute care experience at a minimum anyway. I think new grads are going to have to seriously adjust their expectations!

ArtClassRN, ADN, RN · Jan 21, 2014

I work at a hospital in North Carolina that has just voted that by 2015 they will only hire BSN nurses.

LOL.

Yep ONLY BSN NURSES.....until they can't find enough...then sure, gimme anyone with a license.

North Dakota tried this too during the economic downturn...go see how it is working out for them.

j0yegan · Jan 21, 2014

Yes, they are taking away from other people's jobs and making NURSES do it now. It's absolutely ridiculous. If they're going to do that, they should at least PAY us more.