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 clinical rotations.

Oh I'm not denying that there's a lot of dialouge from both sides that's valid. But the fact that LPS are being squeezed is irrefutable. One of my classmates here in Virginia works at I believe it's the Loudin hospital and they're the ones that are going Magnate. The LPN's have been given notice. They're history. Eventually, with the way responsibilities and job descriptions get shifted, the ADN may fall into the spotlight as not being valid with regard to professional status: that being a 4 year degree. All I'm saying is if you have the chance to go for the BSN degree why not. It's just that much less to have to debate about and at the same time that much closer to a Masters.

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I had to sign a contract when I was hired on at my facility last year that I would attain my BSN before 2012. :uhoh3:

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Specializes in clinical rotations.

And so if you had the wherewithall to do it at twenty? Or if somebody back then offered encouragement to keep going? Push the kids. There's plenty of grunt work for everybody. We can always use a few more intellectuals.

This sort of rumor seems to pop up in the various health professions, mostly Nursing and EMS. Many years ago, when I first earned my Advanced EMT-Critical Care, there were those who insisted the "CC" would be done away with and there would be only Basic EMT's ("who would do nothing") and Paramedics. Being a firm believer in the concept of "Paramedics save lives - EMT's save Paramedics", that rumor did not bother me. Almost twenty years later, I am stil an EMT-CC, as well as being n instructor. Apparently, there would never be enough Paramedics if the Intermediate and Critical Care EMT's were done away with. By the way, most of the care provided on an EMS call is done at the Basic level; without that, the ALS stuff would not matter.

Back to Nursing..... I am at a point where I am considering an online BSN "upgrade", and have to decide if it is worthwhile for me - it's a "bang for the buck" sort of thing as I am in my mid-50's and work in an administrative position. I could probably do it in a year or so and have a BSN at 57 years old, then retire 5-8 years later. There would be little or no financial benefit for me. I could handle the studying, etc (despite being an 'old faht'), but am still trying to decide.

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Specializes in NICU.

I was hired and worked at a magnet hospital as an LPN. I know LPN hospital positions can be hard to find, but it wasn't a magnet thing here.

I don't see BSN being a requirement--not by 2010. Whether or not it should be a requirement in the future has already been discussed at length here on allnurses ;). I have an ADN (although I'm applying for RN-BSN admittance soon) and there is no financial incentive to have a BSN in my area.

Do what's best for you school-wise. More education never hurts, but there are pretty good reasons other options are available :).

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Grandfather clause is all I have to say - dont worrie !!!I think the BSN is a good idea.

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Specializes in CNA, Surgical, Pediatrics, SDS, ER.

I have not heard such a thing, but I do know that it's not going to happen. The shortage in this country is too great. I am ADN and when looking for jobs I found that the only nursing jobs requiring BSN are for management positions. I highly doubt that they will have this task accomplished in 2 years unless they want the shortage to widen even more.

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Specializes in ICU, School Nurse, Med/Surg, Psych.

I can't remember if it was North Dakota or South Dakota that actually passed a mandate for BSN a few years ago (probably 10 years now) it only lasted about 18 months. Crippled their healthcare system.

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I graduated in 1979 and heard the same rumor so i went back to college and got my degree. I am glad i have it but not sure i really needed it. I am a diploma nurse. My fear was one day i would want a position and would lose out to a nurse who graduated from a BSN program. But here i am AD and BSN nurse abound and we all function well doing the same job.

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Specializes in Geri, Peds, Gastro, Cardiology, ER, NICU.
70 percent of all RNs in the United States are educated at the associates degree level. There's no way to conjure up enough BSN programs to support the nursing needs of this country in 2 short years.

I have 4 words to say regarding this issue: It ain't gonna happen!

Good point! I have three CMA's that are freaking b/c they have heard that the medical assistant's will be taken over by the board of nursing in our state. I looked into it for them, the BON doesn't have jurisdiction over M.A.'s at this time; and didn't think that it would happen anytime soon. Just the old rumor mill again cranking out unnecessary worry.:up:

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Specializes in MCH, L&D.

The BSN thing is a big deal. I just graduated with my ADN, and many "big" hospitals in NY don't want to hire us :angryfire.It really sucks, b/c you bust your behind to become an RN, only to be told you're not good enough unless you have a BSN. I've only been out of school for going on 3 months, I plan to go back, but not tomorrow. It was the same thing when I was an LPN, all I kept hearing was you need to become an RN. It's never ending, by the time I get my BSN, a masters degree will be required to get a job, lol.

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I also have found that getting a BSN over an ADN doesn't ensure any 'perks'. Very few places offer a differential for having a BSN, and a lot of places don't offer differentials for having a certification either. If you go for your BSN &/or certifications in any area, I suggest you do it for yourself for your own personal growth.

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I have heard the rumor of going to BSN only was put in place due to some reasearch showing that fewer complications and deaths occur when there are more BSN's. I know there is a fight to keep the ADN programs going, but it would be really nice to join the ranks for physical therapists and other allied health fields that have slowly moved their educational requirments upward. I remember back in the 1990's when PT's only needed a bachelors. Then they moved it up to a masters, and their is a move to make it a doctorate. I really wish nursing would go in that direction. We could all demand better pay, more autonomy, as well as more respect from our fellow healthcare workers. Of course, those already with ADN's or those in school to complete them would be granfathered in.

It is sad that it will never happen. In the last state where it did happen, the nursing homes lobbied (gave a bunch of money to) their legislators to have the law overturned so they could keep their cheap supply of labor.

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