Is it true that a BSN will be mandatory soon?

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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

I don't feel that requiring RN's to pursue more education is empowering. If someone chooses to pursue higher education then they are empowering themselves... but someone else forcing them to do it isn't quite the same thing.

Considering how much I seem to hear about the shortage of nursing, it seems like a very poor idea to essentially eliminate some of the major producers of qualified RN's, the community/technical colleges.

Also, as far as the public goes, I think an RN is an RN for the most part. Being that I DO know the difference... do I really care if it's an ADN or BSN nurse caring for me? Not really! Why would I care if my nurse took an extra history class? I think most people care about nursing skills/experience in which both programs are almost identical... and bedside manner... which isn't something I ever heard of anyone obtaining from a history, visual arts, language, or statistics class.

Options empower nurses. If they want to really get away from ADN programs... pay BSN nurses a premium wage and let the market work itself out. It shouldn't matter to nursing unity what level of education... if the RN status isn't enough to put us in the same boat, why would everyone being a BSN do it?

(Info comes from comparing my ADN program to that of the UNC School of Nursing site)

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Specializes in ER/SICU/Med-Surg/Ortho/Trauma/Flight.

Actually from what Ive heard from nurse managers and directors and such is that a BSN will be required to be an RN and an Associate degree will be required to be an LPN, from what I can gather I guess its going to give us all a more expanded scope of practice, better oppourtunities and more power but it probabley isnt going to give anyone of us more money no, we just have to pay for more education spend our time on it and make the same amount of money as we always have. And dont forget were all nurses LPN's and RN's alike no one is more special just because of there initials behind there name Im a strong advocate for Rn's and Lpn's alike seeing as how I was an LPN before an RN and I still keep my LPN license up as well as my RN, the thing with the BSN is aound here the ADN, diploma, and LPN's seem to be the better bedside nurses no offense to anyone and the BSN's seem to be the paper pushers and managers Im not saying all are like that but alot are.:balloons:

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I don't feel that requiring RN's to pursue more education is empowering. If someone chooses to pursue higher education then they are empowering themselves... but someone else forcing them to do it isn't quite the same thing.

Considering how much I seem to hear about the shortage of nursing, it seems like a very poor idea to essentially eliminate some of the major producers of qualified RN's, the community/technical colleges.

Also, as far as the public goes, I think an RN is an RN for the most part. Being that I DO know the difference... do I really care if it's an ADN or BSN nurse caring for me? Not really! Why would I care if my nurse took an extra history class? I think most people care about nursing skills/experience in which both programs are almost identical... and bedside manner... which isn't something I ever heard of anyone obtaining from a history, visual arts, language, or statistics class.

Options empower nurses. If they want to really get away from ADN programs... pay BSN nurses a premium wage and let the market work itself out. It shouldn't matter to nursing unity what level of education... if the RN status isn't enough to put us in the same boat, why would everyone being a BSN do it?

(Info comes from comparing my ADN program to that of the UNC School of Nursing site)

Because we would be on par with all of the other health care professionals who now have graduate degrees (PT and Pharmacists are now a Doctorate, OT is now a Masters Degree), all who make considerably more money than nurses do. The market will also never work to pay nurses more for BSNs until our fellow nurses also value a BSN, and insist with contract negotiations, that hospitals provide for a significant pay increase for a BSN.

It has been my experience, the ADNs and Diploma nurses have their feelings hurt when the topic of higher pay for BSNs is brought up. It is a, "well if I can't have the prestige and extra money just because I am a nurse, then no one can. So there!". It is a rather juvenile attitude, and accomplishes nothing but plays into the hands of hospital administrators, who do not want to pay nurses more for anything. If our fellow nurses don't think that our higher education level is worth more money, then why should administrators feel that way. "Options" keep nursing dis- unified, and powerless.

The general public, and organizations like Parade Magazine, are unaware that nursing requires a post HS college preparation. Is there any wonder that the public thinks we can be replaced by HS dropouts? $$ equals worth. Our low pay only serves to emphasize that we are worthless to the public and to hospitals. Our professional contributions to patient care are rolled in with the room rate, housekeeping, and a complimentary roll of toilet paper.

They pay more for PTs, Pharmacists, and OTs who have higher degrees. Why shouldn't they pay more for nurses? We play right into their hands, and give them exactly what they want. Divided nurses who cannot agree on anything, and then they cannot come together on how best to fight hospital administration and improve nursing. Keep them occupied and distracted about nonsense (just like the endless debate over nursing caps a generation ago), and we can keep then unorganized and powerless. Think about it. Think outside the box. JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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I was an LPN before an RN and I still keep my LPN license up as well as my RN

:offtopic:

I've an off-topic question for you. I've got an RN and wanted to apply for an LPN position at a hospice facility because there was only one RN position, which was charge nurse, and being inexperienced, I wasn't comfortable with that role. They told me they couldn't hire an RN into an LPN position even though I was willing to take the LPN pay. Does this make sense to you? Also, many people on this board believe that once you earn your RN you have to give up your LPN license and that no matter what your job role is that you will be held to RN standards if you hold an RN license. Finally, I'm really curious to hear from someone who's been both an RN and LPN what the difference is. Did RN training teach you more? Perhaps you can give some insight.

Alright, now back to the question of mandatory BSNs....

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Specializes in LTC, Sub-acute, correctional.

I was told about a month ago by a nurse educator (who I do respect) that the some New Jersey nursing organization has passed a law requiring all RN's to have their BSN's by a certain deadline, I think it was about 10 years from now. Now this educator wasn't drunk or anything when she said this, it was actually at an orientation for a LTC. However, I can't find one thing about this on the NJ BON site. Is she hallucinating, or is this true?

I've spent the whole day studying for my NC5 exam and I wonder if I'll be studying for many more years to come!

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

I live in CA and when in school our DON stated something to the lines of what you had stated. She said that right now BSN is preffered, but not manditory but in the near future(time not specified) it will be. She was advising those of us that had the yearning to become RN's in the future.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

My understanding is that no states require a BSN and no statets are considering it. I could be wrong. Ask for some documentation.

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Ah I highly doubt it. Especially with the nursing shortages as it is already!

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Specializes in OB/peds (after gen surgery for 3 yrs).

I was told this when I was in nursing school in the 1970s. As far as I know (unless I'm too old and out of it to understand! ;)) this has not yet become fact.

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Specializes in LTC, Home Health, Skilled/rehab, Alzheim.

I know that here in Colorado it isn't required but more and more hospitals are requiring it because they are trying to get their magnet status.

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I heard this when I was in nursing school 3 years ago for LPN. I guess NY state was considering it. Haven't heard much since. I'm not worried since I'm working on my associates right now and will eventually get my BSN. But I honestly think it will create more problems than its worth.

My understanding is that when and IF a state decides to do this, you will have 10 years to get your BSN.

Didn't one of the Dakotas do this and eventually reverse it due to the nursing shortage getting worse??

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Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, ICU, ER.

More bullsqueeze from the "you can't be a professional without a BSN" crowd.

I'll say it again; bullsqueeze!

At my hospital, for every BSN, there are 3 ADNs (or diploma RN's) and upwards of 7 LPNs!!! Even with that ratio, we are still horribly short-staffed.

NO WAY will this nation's nursing schools be able to turn out enough BSNs to fully staff all nursing positions. As it is now, BSNs get to pick from the "cream" of all positions - why would all of them suddenly return to the worst of the nursing world: floor nursing? Add to this the aging population, and the bedside nursing shortage is only going to get worse; not better.

The "plan" to require all nurses to be BSNs has been going on for decades, and I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

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