Is it true that a BSN will be mandatory soon?

Published

An instructor of mine (I'm in another state) stated that she recently went to a national educators conference and that they were saying that within the next several years in NY it would be mandatory to have your BSN. Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks

At my present job as a Clinical Administrative Assistant, my Cardiothoracic Surgeon only wants an NP or PA taking care of his patients. That's why I as soon as I finish my RN Degree, I will be focusing on becoming a Nurse Practioner. In my institution, you'd be surprised at what a title and extra knowledge can do for you and your salary. Even though I'm not clinical at my current job, I hold an A.A.S in Office Medical Assisting, a B.S. in Health Education and Promotion and am also a Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES). You figured, I would be satisfied in my current position. For me, there is always room to learn and expand the mind; besides, I love my patients and love the clinical research I assist my NP's wth.

All in all, I think making the BSN program is an excellent idea; especially if your employer is going to pay for it. It's all about empowering and motivating the mind.

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surge.
The clinical time is the same whether you are an ADN or a BSN. ADN's can and do provide the same patient care. I believe if the BSN program allowed people to specialize and had additional clinical time it would be more attractive.

Unfortunately, at least where I work, there is no advantage to having a BSN. You cannot hold a management position so you are going to work the floor along with the ADN and perhaps make a dollar an hour more. You just don't get the financial return on an advanced nursing degree. If you're thinking get a master's, you may then be eligible for management but those jobs (where I work) are few and far between. Many of the nurses on my unit have their master's.

Some degree nurses have a holier than thou attitude (which I don't get from the MD's) and people find this abrasive.

Knowledge equals power and frankly, those initials after your name regardless of what they are doesn't always mean you know what you're doing.

Isn't that the truth... I'm not even going to comment on that one. I think you said enough!!!!! AMEN!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gen Med.

Yes it is true; however, if you are already an RN you will be "grandfathered" in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Concept was originally promoted by NYSNA - a union and not part of the State Gov't in 2003.

NYSBN presented the concept to Board of Regents in 2004.

Presented to legislature for 2005-2006 session and no action taken.

Assembly Bill A8160 Sponsor Morelle

Senate Bill S5056 Sponsor Alesi.

Current Status: No action taken, No Senate Votes Taken, No Assembly Votes Taken, Legislature is in recess. All pending bills before the legislature are tabled.

Will it be represented next session? Sure, why not. It doesn't hurt to churn out a document for a key group of supporters.

But, no action means there is no interest in passing or for that matter, even voting on this bill. Lots of bills are always presented before legislatures with no intent on movement and only an intent to please certain constituents.

I guess they heard about the problems this caused N. Dakota.

Either that, or they heard the AACC's (Amer Assoc Community College) complaint about the bill and didn't want to risk alienating competing interests.

I've said this before, moving this issue requires a consensus and not strong arm tactics.

Will it be mandatory soon? Maybe someday, but not someday soon. . .

Bottom Line: the bill is dead. By all appearances, it was DOA. That's what not even bringing it up for a vote means.

~faith,

Timothy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Wow, i just spent the last hour reading all the posts from 2004 to the one above...

I just wanted to comment...has anyone thought about the fact that ADN programs appeal to people because they are affordable and accesible to people of different walks of life? Based on this reason alone, ADN programs are absolutely necessary.

I will graduate in a few weeks with an ADN, and i would hope that people do not judge how much I know by the type of degree that i will have. I have been going to school, on and off, for the last 11 years. I am 2 semesters short of having a B.A...a fellow classmate has a masters degree in social work. What about the pool of knowledge that comes with being older and wiser, the type that comes along with the responsibilities of working for a living...in my case, i worked full time during the day and went to class full time at night. What about those students who have kids at home? Time management? Yep. Critical thinking? got it covered. I have busted my butt for the last three years, and if anyone thinks of me as being "below" them because they have an extra year of liberal art classes, I promise you that I will not stand for it.

I would NEVER in a million years would have pursued becoming an RN if it had meant me having to go back to my old college. I just simply could not afford it. I have a lot of educational debt, and ZERO percent of it comes from my nursing education.

I think, IMO, that respect should be given to fellow nurses, regardless of the degree that they hold. Everyone can have their own opinion regarding this topic, but the degree of respect that is given to fellow RNs should be the same. We can bicker within our group all we want, but we need to stand united when it comes to the big picture. You can beat up your siblings, you can say what you want about them...but you wouldnt let anyone else do it...make any sense?

I do think that, with many hospitals paying RNs to return to school to get an advanced degree, that it would be foolish not to take advantage of this. There are even accelerated programs designed specifically for the ADN nurse to get a BSN and go on to a masters. Lets suppose for a moment that ADN nurses will be given 10 years to complete a BSN. That's what? an extra 60-70 credits? Divided by 10 years....that's 7 credits a year, folks. That's 2 classes. TWO classes a year. How is this not possible? What are we SO afraid of? And even after getting a BSN...it doesnt mean we can no longer practice bedside nursing.

I think this has a lot to do with pride and misconceptions that were passed down to us from our leaders and peers. I can compare it to children of racist parents. Beliefs get passed down like bad genes. And they are hard to undo. But if we can get the new batch of nurses coming out to think proactively and feed them the confidence they need to be successful nurses, then the thought of furthering their education becomes second nature.

I will get my BSN, even if it only pays me $1 more. Why the heck not? What have I got to lose? It is a personal choice indeed, and I am not a young chicken living at my mother's house, so my quest for a BSN is going to take me a lot longer than most. But, i have my ADN to thank for at least giving me the opportunity to do it at my pace....

So, is it necessary? Absolutely. Without ADN programs, nursing as a profession would enter a terrible period.

I don't know if my question is still part of this thread, but i'll ask it anyway. Is having a BSN will make nurses more effective in their performance? What's in the BSN curriculum anyway?:uhoh3:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

They've been saying in Canada that we will need a BSN to work as an RN for over 20 years. They recently closed the RN schools so it will come to pass eventually but no one is throwing plain RN's out on their butts yet, and probably they never will. The RN-only nurses are the ones with experience, and that can't be taught.

I took my RN, then worked and got my BSN at the same time. I didn't get any clinical skills from the BSN, but I can write a mean paper on most anything, have it mean nothing, and still get a B. Essential knowledge for a manager, but if you plan on being a clinician, probably not that useful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took my RN, then worked and got my BSN at the same time. I didn't get any clinical skills from the BSN, but I can write a mean paper on most anything, have it mean nothing, and still get a B. Essential knowledge for a manager, but if you plan on being a clinician, probably not that useful.

Experience is obviously the best teacher, but your comment about 'writing a mean paper and have it mean nothing' is really a small minded view of your bsn. So many nurses in this forum have strong reactions to bsn vs. adn. ADN's--some feel they are disrespected b/c of their level of education and they are audible about it. HOwever I have met many an ADN nurse that look down upon BSN nurses saying they arent clinically strong. Where does it end? Nursing is the only profession that I can think of where such a disparity in education level exists. Maybe other healthcare professions have such disparities, of that i am not aware.

Since when is it ever a bad thing to educate one's self? A BSN is a 'waste of time' many nurses say. IMO, education is never a waste of time. Some Boston area hospitals are preferring newly minted BSN over ADN. You can sit and hemm and haw about the expense or the waste of time. Fact of the matter is, it may soon become your reality. This post isn't to inflame anybody it is simply my opinion. By limiting one's self or making disparaging comments re: the additional education needed does not command respect.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU.

My state is considering making a requirement that ADN's earn their BSN within 10y or have license revoked or suspended. I am fortunate to be able to continue into an RN to BSN program. But what about those that choose not to or may not be able to? Will hospitals do more to assist with tuition and books? Will a decrease in pay be seen for ADN's? Will decrease in pay for ADN's equal less responsibility? Will the increase in pay for a BSN still remain low (some only $0.50/hr)? Will this requirement contribute to an exponentially increasing nursing shortage. Effect agency or travel nursing? One may ask if eventually only BSN will be able to receive his or her license. I believe this will be a hotbed for debate. I also believe this may cause more descention amongst the troops, per say.

Does anyone else have this occuring with their BON?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care.

What state do you have your license in?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU.

This is something being considered by the NM BON

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.

bad, bad, bad idea.

an rn with a bsn is no more qualified to care for a patient than an rn with a diploma/adn.

i can understand the desire to "upgrade" the minimal education requirements for rns, to keep us in line with the minimum degree requirements of other health professionals.

however, other health disciplines "grandfathered in" people who were licensed with lower degrees (for example, when pharmd became the standard for pharmacists, they didn't require that all pharmacists get their doctorates, just the new pharmacists. others were allowed to continue to practice.)

and given that there isn't exactly a surplus of rns running around, requiring the bsn boarders on insane.

right now, the hospital system where i work is requiring anyone in middle-management get their bsn. upper management has to get their msn. more understandable, since bsn has more to do with management and research. however, the hospital is having a hard time getting people to comply. some just don't have the time to go back to school.

but requiring everyone to get their bsn or no longer be able to practice? not a good idea at all.

(by the way, if anyone is wondering, i do have a bsn)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

this just irritates me to no end.

if they choose to grandfather incoming nurses w/a bsn, fine.

but the adn nurses who choose to remain, will have an additional 10 yrs experience; an invaluable commidity imo.

what the heck are they thinking?????

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion