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 have been watching/reading this debate with great interest, as I have nearly finished my pre-req's and will be applying to nursing school this fall (hopefully admitted for fall 2009).

I have decided to enter an ASN (Associate of Applied Science in Nursing) program for many reasons. First and foremost, I have children to consider and a family that needs me. Secondly is the cost. I am able to attend a community college; I am unable at this time to uproot my family and move to an area with a university that offers a BSN program AND pay for said program.

My point is, that "requiring" all those entering the nursing field closes the door on many people. I notice that many (though not all) people advocating a BSN requirement are young and probably childless. They probably already don't have a huge student loan debt, either. A BSN is a great option for them. But it is not a great option for everyone, especially in terms of entry level into the field. I hope to get into the workforce and gain experience. Then, perhaps, I will return to school later, at a more appropriate time, and earn my BSN, maybe even my MSN.....who knows? But for me, a BSN is really not practical at the moment, and I'll bet I'm not the only one here who feels this way.

I understand what people are saying. Of course education is a valuable asset. However, I do not feel that I am "uneducated" because I will hold an Associates Degree. As a matter of fact, in terms of actual nursing knowledge/experience there is very little difference between an ASN and a BSN program.....at least in my state.

I think we need to stop the petty name-calling and finger-pointing. It accomplishes nothing and is not what these forums are about. In fact, it's not very "professional" at all.

Just my :twocents:.

P.S. And the notion that Associate Degree level nurses should be "demoted" to nurse's assistants is preposterous and insulting.

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I have been watching/reading this debate with great interest, as I have nearly finished my pre-req's and will be applying to nursing school this fall (hopefully admitted for fall 2009).

I have decided to enter an ASN (Associate of Applied Science in Nursing) program for many reasons. First and foremost, I have children to consider and a family that needs me. Secondly is the cost. I am able to attend a community college; I am unable at this time to uproot my family and move to an area with a university that offers a BSN program AND pay for said program.

My point is, that "requiring" all those entering the nursing field closes the door on many people. I notice that many (though not all) people advocating a BSN requirement are young and probably childless. They probably already don't have a huge student loan debt, either. A BSN is a great option for them. But it is not a great option for everyone, especially in terms of entry level into the field. I hope to get into the workforce and gain experience. Then, perhaps, I will return to school later, at a more appropriate time, and earn my BSN, maybe even my MSN.....who knows? But for me, a BSN is really not practical at the moment, and I'll bet I'm not the only one here who feels this way.

I understand what people are saying. Of course education is a valuable asset. However, I do not feel that I am "uneducated" because I will hold an Associates Degree. As a matter of fact, in terms of actual nursing knowledge/experience there is very little difference between an ASN and a BSN program.....at least in my state.

I think we need to stop the petty name-calling and finger-pointing. It accomplishes nothing and is not what these forums are about. In fact, it's not very "professional" at all.

Just my :twocents:.

P.S. And the notion that Associate Degree level nurses should be "demoted" to nurse's assistants is preposterous and insulting.

Couldn't have said it better myself! Good luck in school:up:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

Its been interesting to sit back and read these post.. I really think people don't get what myself and others are saying.. It has NOTHING to do with the fact the BSN have more education, its the fact that Nursing in General isn't take as seriously as other healthcare profressions that do require a undergrad or better... Also, I keep hearing the same thing over and over again, why would I want to get a 4 yr degree when I get my ADN in 2. This isn't true, it takes 2 yrs to get your pre req done, then 2 yrs of clinical class, which is 4 yrs total, the same amount of time as it would to get a BSN. Then people say, the ADN programs are cheaper, this is true, but there are many pvt tech colleges that charge MORE for a ADN then it takes to get a BSN. But, back to the main point, there are too many entry points into nursing, LPN, ADN, BSN, there needs to be a startard entry point. I also think, that Internships need to be longer then 3-4-5 weeks before cutting the cord and letting the new grad loose on patients. That is why in my version, the ADN RN would be that intern nurse, and work as so with a experienced RN who has a BSN, for that extra year to get thier BSN. Remeber it has nothing to do with who is better or has more schooling, it has to do with standardizing.

I AM a single mother(AND PROUD OF IT!!!) who worked my way up from CNA to RN after 13 years of being a CNA. And yes! i am one of the less- educated who ONLY has her two year degree! It's not the "title" in which you have on paper, but the attitude and compassion for people which makes you a good nurse.
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Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

Please show me posts who stated this??? From what I have read in all these post no one as stated this, it would very counter productive to demote all RN who don't have a BSN to CNA and a like. I think they would be grandfathered in, like they did for PT,OT and Engineers....

I

P.S. And the notion that Associate Degree level nurses should be "demoted" to nurse's assistants is preposterous and insulting.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

There are many programs out there that side step the BSN to become a NP, and more and more of these programs are popping up. www.UCSF.EDU is one of them. Many BSN programs are taking people who have a previous undergrad degree and moving them forward faster... But one of the post I read, hit the nail on the head.... School are spitting out nurses who aren't ready for PT care like they use to, they teach the student what is needed to pass the NCLEX...

I just have a big problem with nursing being the only profession that doesn't require a minimum of a 4 year degree. The minimum requirement for a nurse practitioner is a Master's degree, so why aren't registered nurses required to have a Bachelor's degree?
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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.

This was the statement I was referring to. I didn't mean a literal demotion, as in demoting the existing RNs who hold Associates Degrees to CNAs. Rather I was saying that it was insulting to designate new grads holding Associates Degrees as "nursing assistants."

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.
Please show me posts who stated this??? From what I have read in all these post no one as stated this, it would very counter productive to demote all RN who don't have a BSN to CNA and a like. I think they would be grandfathered in, like they did for PT,OT and Engineers....

Another poster stated this which I believe was deleted/edited

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I have been watching/reading this debate with great interest, as I have nearly finished my pre-req's and will be applying to nursing school this fall (hopefully admitted for fall 2009).

I notice that many (though not all) people advocating a BSN requirement are young and probably childless. They probably already don't have a huge student loan debt, either. A BSN is a great option for them. But it is not a great option for everyone, especially in terms of entry level into the field.

I am one person who is not young and childless:) I'm 42 and my kids are 7, 9, and 11. I finished my BSN this May and will take the NCLEX on July 2nd. I worked full time as a flight attendant during school. The ASN/ADN was never an option in my mind. Best of luck with your new journey!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

Now I';m sure I'm going to get some heat for this, but have you ever watched a PTA work? they work right next to the PT, they work as a team. The PTA learns as they go, and I would hope this what the other poster was meaning. My example of my model for the new nursing training would be the same, but not called an assisstant, but a Nurse Intern, in which the ADN would work with a BSN for a year while the ADN nurse was going back and finishing the BSN portion. The NEW ADN nurse would get a year of training before going off and being let loose on patients themselves. Just like the PTA, the ADN nurse would be allowed to do certain things to the patient like the PTA can do. Its all about training in my model...

This was the statement I was referring to. I didn't mean a literal demotion, as in demoting the existing RNs who hold Associates Degrees to CNAs. Rather I was saying that it was insulting to designate new grads holding Associates Degrees as "nursing assistants."

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

all i see on this page is several options to get your msn and doctorate but none of them with a np option ..please correct me if i am wrong...

there are many programs out there that side step the bsn to become a np, and more and more of these programs are popping up. www.ucsf.edu is one of them. many bsn programs are taking people who have a previous undergrad degree and moving them forward faster... but one of the post i read, hit the nail on the head.... school are spitting out nurses who aren't ready for pt care like they use to, they teach the student what is needed to pass the nclex...
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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

you keep acting on this thread like the bsn nurse has all the answers and is some form of "nursing god"...you need to get over that issue... if you think that bsn nurses are so competent and adn nurses are not then you need to hang up your hat right now since you are a lvn....

now i';m sure i'm going to get some heat for this, but have you ever watched a pta work? they work right next to the pt, they work as a team. the pta learns as they go, and i would hope this what the other poster was meaning. my example of my model for the new nursing training would be the same, but not called an assisstant, but a nurse intern, in which the adn would work with a bsn for a year while the adn nurse was going back and finishing the bsn portion. the new adn nurse would get a year of training before going off and being let loose on patients themselves. just like the pta, the adn nurse would be allowed to do certain things to the patient like the pta can do. its all about training in my model...
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Specializes in Cardiovascular.

I stopped reading this conversation due to a lack of real objective material pertinent to the question.

There is no documentation regarding legislative action in any state? That is hard to believe. Is this topic in any agenda for legislative action? That is the real question and there are no answers. .....

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