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, Progressive Tele.

Hey Jack, how I see it is the ADN program would be the entry level for nursing, with at least one year in the NIT (Nurse in Training) role, after the year is up, then they can apply to the BSN, and once completed the BSN then they can work bedside independality... What this does is give the BSN programs time to expand program to accomadate 100 to 200( or more ) students at a time. Since no clinical time well be needed since the NIT will get that in the ADN part BSN would be all classroom.

Respectfully Lindarn, an ASN is not a two year degree. However, I do agree with you in principle. The reality is we don't have the academic infrastructure to graduate all nurses at a BSN minimum. I think the end result would be MORE health care positions that require a lower level of education with a larger scope of practice and more stress and liability for RN's.

I do see the big picture you are painting though. It professionally makes sense. Maybe, for the short term, a significantly more difficult NCLEX for BSN's would demarcate both degrees.

Just my thoughts.

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Hey Jack, how I see it is the ADN program would be the entry level for nursing, with at least one year in the NIT (Nurse in Training) role, after the year is up, then they can apply to the BSN, and once completed the BSN then they can work bedside independality... What this does is give the BSN programs time to expand program to accomadate 100 to 200( or more ) students at a time. Since no clinical time well be needed since the NIT will get that in the ADN part BSN would be all classroom.

That is the type of constructive reply I was looking for. Ways to find a possible solution instead of griping and drawing lines in the sand.

Great post!

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Hey Jack, how I see it is the ADN program would be the entry level for nursing, with at least one year in the NIT (Nurse in Training) role, after the year is up, then they can apply to the BSN, and once completed the BSN then they can work bedside independality... What this does is give the BSN programs time to expand program to accomadate 100 to 200( or more ) students at a time. Since no clinical time well be needed since the NIT will get that in the ADN part BSN would be all classroom.

I don't have a problem with the associate degree programs, but the graduates should not be recognized as nurses, but "nursing assistants," just like physical therapy assistants.

One of the reasons I decided to become a NP was b/c of all this confusion. I was sick and tired of people assuming that I had gone through a "vocational" program. It seems that anyone can put on scrubs and be called a nurse. After working as a nurse for a few years, I became a pharmaceutical representative and I'll never forget a doctor asking me how I did that without a college degree! I kept trying to explain that the "Bachelor of Science in Nursing" was a REAL degree, but he just didn't get it.

Now, patients don't assume I'm a medical assistant, they assume I'm the doctor! :yeah:

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I don't have a problem with the associate degree programs, but the graduates should not be recognized as nurses, but "nursing assistants," just like physical therapy assistants.

One of the reasons I decided to become a NP was b/c of all this confusion. I was sick and tired of people assuming that I had gone through a "vocational" program. It seems that anyone can put on scrubs and be called a nurse. After working as a nurse for a few years, I became a pharmaceutical representative and I'll never forget a doctor asking me how I did that without a college degree! I kept trying to explain that the "Bachelor of Science in Nursing" was a REAL degree, but he just didn't get it.

Now, patients don't assume I'm a medical assistant, they assume I'm the doctor! :yeah:

I'm assuming a couple of things at this point.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

I think it should be called NIT (Nurse in Training) not an assistant. Reason would be this, the NIT will do on and get thier BSN, PT Assistants are just that they assist and many have no thought of going on and getting thier Degree...

I am a make, and I get this, "Hey Doc, how are you? When can I go home?" This happens when I walk into the room for he first time/ Then I tell the pt that I'm thier nurse , I'm told I look like a Doc not a nurse.. sigh....

But the NIT role would a nurse with a scope of practice like a LPN, also one of the other things I would like to see, is all Nursing students MUCH work as a CNA for at least a year, too many of these nursing student who have never worked as a CNA have no clue what they are getting themselves into.....

I don't have a problem with the associate degree programs, but the graduates should not be recognized as nurses, but "nursing assistants," just like physical therapy assistants.

One of the reasons I decided to become a NP was b/c of all this confusion. I was sick and tired of people assuming that I had gone through a "vocational" program. It seems that anyone can put on scrubs and be called a nurse. After working as a nurse for a few years, I became a pharmaceutical representative and I'll never forget a doctor asking me how I did that without a college degree! I kept trying to explain that the "Bachelor of Science in Nursing" was a REAL degree, but he just didn't get it.

Now, patients don't assume I'm a medical assistant, they assume I'm the doctor! :yeah:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

I have a new nursing program in my head already, I would like to have time to sit down and put down on paper..

That is the type of constructive reply I was looking for. Ways to find a possible solution instead of griping and drawing lines in the sand.

Great post!

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Look, The United States has 100X more Nurses than any other country. Your argument has already lost. All of my teachers are masters level. So my 3 year degree is worth half of your 4 year degree? You sound very bitter paying your student loans.

Actually, I have very little student loans from my undergraduate education and it is not an issue for me at all. Regardless, I look at my degree as an investment.

I have strong hopes that my argument is not lost. There is more and more research being done that indicates the value of higher levels of education in nursing and patient outcomes. It is very difficult to "prove" such a thing because there are so many factors that affect patient care. But the evidence is mounting, and eventually, it is this argument that will win over the policymakers. Don't believe me? Check out the National Quality Forum's statement on educational preparation and patient outcomes at http://www.qualityforum.org/pdf/nursing-quality/FinalNursesEdPreparation.pdf. More research is definitely needed in this area, but I believe that as time goes on and more of these studies are conducted, it will be very hard for legislators and the public to ignore it.

Again, I am not advocating for the elimination of ADN nurses. What I want to see is a requirement for ADN nurses to continue their education to the BSN level within a certain time frame of graduating. Why is this such a negative thing?

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It's not a negative thing. This is just a discussion about an important subject. I see both sides being irrational just a little bit, do you?

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I have a new nursing program in my head already, I would like to have time to sit down and put down on paper..

Originally Posted by Dixielee

Unfortunately, nursing school does not teach you to be a nurse, it gives you the opportunity to learn. It is sort of like getting a parking permit...it does not guareentee you will find a parking spot, but you can legally look for one!

I think all nurses should be required to go thru a one year internship like MDs do. A few week orientation is just not enough to provide safe care.

I, too, have thoughts on revamped nursing education. Here are some of my thoughts on nursing and nursing education. Not fully developed, but thoughts.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/nurse-nurse-nurse-not-201899.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/discussion-what-nursing-not-so-easy-answer-307084.html

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Great stuff jjjoy!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

Interesting thought of school, but the problem I see, is nurses have to tendency to move around. Take myself, I have done Home Health, Nursing Homes, Step Down ICU, ER and Med/Surg. My EX boss started in L&D and after 15 yrs, transfered to the ED and was there until she retired. We need move schooling to make nurses competent in thier work. That is why I'm all for a 2 tiered system. Have a NIT (Nurse in Training) level (entry level) and after a year go back and finish school BSN, then take the BSN NCLEX to the Professional Level RN. People will still move around and giving them some type of training in all disicplain will help.

Originally Posted by Dixielee

I, too, have thoughts on revamped nursing education. Here are some of my thoughts on nursing and nursing education. Not fully developed, but thoughts.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/nurse-nurse-nurse-not-201899.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/discussion-what-nursing-not-so-easy-answer-307084.html

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
after a year go back and finish school BSN, then take the BSN NCLEX to the Professional Level RN.

*** SO would the professional level RNs still punch a time clock?

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