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

Specializes in Med-Surg.
Ladies and Gentlemen, get a grip. We are in a nursing shortage. Get real.

I have a personal pet peeve, when we're debating I really dislike when people say things like "get a grip", 'get real", or "get a life". It doesn't seem conducive to intelligent discussion. Although I appreciate your frustration, such things can sometimes derail a conversation or discussion. I'm sure it won't in this case, but I'm just venting. Thanks for listening.

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Specializes in emergency/trauma.

I know for a fact there is no existing law stating you have to get your bsn. I was on the state boarrd for nj nursing studetns, and this was one topic we searched. With the nursing shortage, a law like this will never get passed. But this may empower you move further in your career. I just started my bsn in sept, and it is the best thing i could have done for myself. (Its alot better and healthier then getting burned out with lots of overtime)

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I know for sure that the NJBON supports this movement but not much has been done to make it NJ law. I don't think it has even been presented to NJ legislature yet.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
I know for sure that the NJBON supports this movement but not much has been done to make it NJ law. I don't think it has even been presented to NJ legislature yet.

I don't know about BON's but many state nursing associations, as well as the American Nurses Association supports the idea of BSN as the entry level to practice. But they can't seem to get support and make it a reality. Too many obstacles.

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I don't know about BON's but many state nursing associations, as well as the American Nurses Association supports the idea of BSN as the entry level to practice. But they can't seem to get support and make it a reality. Too many obstacles.

Oh yes! This is what I meant. Sorry for the misinfo.

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.

I am glad someone posted this. Someone told me it was going to happen next year. Don't know where they heard it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

(My first post)

Being new to nursing (since May) but not new to education (lets just not go into that - I should have a Masters, not an Associates =) ) would really like a frank comparison of the programs. I have often asked my managers in the past (New nurse - been an NA for awhile) what school they prefer. Most to all have preferred nurses from the school I graduated from, for maturity and actual "readiness" for the floor as opposed to either the diploma program or the two local BSN programs. This seems to throw another wrench into the works.

Lets face it - alot has to do with the quality of the program as opposed to the program type or education level. I have compared the class work and clinical work between my program (ASN) and my wife's program (BSN) and have found that what I learned in the ASN program more complete than that taught at the BSN program, where the BSN differs in this case is a single management class for nursing and some elective non-medical course, usually lib arts type of classes. The actual nursing core classes were very much the same, though I honestly think that the quality of my courses outpaced the quality of my wife's course, but thats unsubstantiated opinion.

Though I do agree with many on this board - A BSN requirement would turn off many new nurses who are viewing nursing as a career change (those with family or significant "other" demands) - we need these people.

--Sean

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.
(My first post)

Being new to nursing (since May) but not new to education (lets just not go into that - I should have a Masters, not an Associates =) ) would really like a frank comparison of the programs. I have often asked my managers in the past (New nurse - been an NA for awhile) what school they prefer. Most to all have preferred nurses from the school I graduated from, for maturity and actual "readiness" for the floor as opposed to either the diploma program or the two local BSN programs. This seems to throw another wrench into the works.

Lets face it - alot has to do with the quality of the program as opposed to the program type or education level. I have compared the class work and clinical work between my program (ASN) and my wife's program (BSN) and have found that what I learned in the ASN program more complete than that taught at the BSN program, where the BSN differs in this case is a single management class for nursing and some elective non-medical course, usually lib arts type of classes. The actual nursing core classes were very much the same, though I honestly think that the quality of my courses outpaced the quality of my wife's course, but thats unsubstantiated opinion.

Though I do agree with many on this board - A BSN requirement would turn off many new nurses who are viewing nursing as a career change (those with family or significant "other" demands) - we need these people.

--Sean

It also depends on the state, too. The local hospitals where I am from like the ADN program nurses at the school I went too. They run a good program and most of the nurse educators at the hospitals teach at this school.

I agree that someone with other demands and would like to make the process faster might have a difficult time with going to get there Bachelors Degree. Plus it is more money. But, if they were like me while they are waiting to get into a ADN program (most have waiting lists where I am from) they can take some courses toward there Bachelor's that would be needed at the next college. That way they would only have to take the nursing classes next.

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Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator.

Reading the comments you all are forgetting we sit for the same RN exam in all states regardless of ADN, Diploma or BSN or for that matter MEP (Master's Entry Progam in Nursing).

Now as someone who is a student nurse, and a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator I have always felt nurses do not receive enough pay.

Until nurses unite and start promoting your professional specality these issues will continue to be "chewed on". It is our own fault as a nursing profession. By banding together you would be surprised at how nurses could change the facility operations, the unit atmosphere, the management and best of all client care. Unfortunately it has been my experience nurses for numerous reasons do not unite together (downfall).

Suggestions pick an issue and deal with just that one issue. If all the nurses in each state were to band together for staffing ratios in a highly organized manner much like a walk for the cure...nursing staff for the healthy... I can only imagine what the general public would do for us to step forward, tell their stories to the media thus taking HIPAA concerns away from us we would be in great shape for some significant changes right now with soon to be governmental changes. Hard work ahead yeah, better than talking about it. Just a thought.

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.
Reading the comments you all are forgetting we sit for the same RN exam in all states regardless of ADN, Diploma or BSN or for that matter MEP (Master's Entry Progam in Nursing).

Now as someone who is a student nurse, and a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator I have always felt nurses do not receive enough pay.

Until nurses unite and start promoting your professional specality these issues will continue to be "chewed on". It is our own fault as a nursing profession. By banding together you would be surprised at how nurses could change the facility operations, the unit atmosphere, the management and best of all client care. Unfortunately it has been my experience nurses for numerous reasons do not unite together (downfall).

Suggestions pick an issue and deal with just that one issue. If all the nurses in each state were to band together for staffing ratios in a highly organized manner much like a walk for the cure...nursing staff for the healthy... I can only imagine what the general public would do for us to step forward, tell their stories to the media thus taking HIPAA concerns away from us we would be in great shape for some significant changes right now with soon to be governmental changes. Hard work ahead yeah, better than talking about it. Just a thought.

Some states have and some states haven't. The state I use to live in fought hard for what they have. The state I work in now aren't even close, plus they aren't even interested. I am really home sick... :trout:

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i am currently a nursing student who will not be graduating til 2009 and today one of my instructors told my class that there will be laws passed requiring rn's to have a bsn by 2010! It kind of annoyed me because that is only 6months after i graduate. i feel like i may be wasting my time in an adn program and should just go apply to the closest university nursing program. mind you i have an aa degree and will have over 140 credits once i finish this adn program. it just so happened that there is no university with in about an hour drive of where i live that offers an rn program so i decided to go this route and then take my time and obtain a bsn. its very discouraging to have one of your instructors tell you that you are obtaining a degree that will be obsolete 6months after you graduate? ive been looking online to see if i can find any credible articles that talk about this issue but cannot find one. does any one know any information or articles? i dont see how requiring a bsn would be possible because in florida most of the rn's graduate from community colleges. out of the three universities close to me only one of them offer a nursing program! and they do not admit that many students. does any one who makes these laws have a clue? maybe they can make a pay differential for bsn's but its not fair to not allow adn's to practice...:angryfire:idea:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Don't worry. Ask your nursing instructor how long she has been a nurse and I bet that she has heard this before...when I became an LPN in 1992, you were going to be mandated to have a BSN by 2000, then 2005, now 2010. Not going to happen - the nursing shortage is way too acute. Don't worry. Good luck in school.

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