Just how much control does the AACN have

allnurses Guide · Feb 2, 2010

I was recently told "In 2015 AACN is ending MSN practice degrees." I thought the AACN was just an organization and could say that they thought and how they want it but they do not make the decisions...the same person that told me above said that "AACN has recommended that AS be allowed with BSN in 5 years and MSN 10 years after that for bedside nurses."...so when does it go from them reccomending to them ending a practice?

The AACN makes recommendations, but if the accrediting/credentialing organizations follow the recommendations that where the true influence comes in. For example: The AACN recommended that all APNs be doctorally prepared by 2015, but the AANA (the CRNA credentialing body) decided that was to soon and mandated it would change by 2025. So all CRNA programs will have to change to Doctorate programs by 2025, because the AANA is the only CRNA credentialing agency.

The other recommendations I wouldn't worry about too much, because it is unreasonalbe to close all the ADN programs around the country. There simply wouldn't be enough RNs to fill the void if they did that. It would be a nice thought to have all BSN/MSN prepared nurses at the bedside, but how many MSNs would be willing to work for what a bedside nurse makes now.

I might be more inclined to think this change was more altruistic if universities weren't set to make billions of dollars more from nurses spending 2-3 more years in school.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Feb 2, 2010

when you hear statements like that go to the source. People get confused or just plain mess up. Try www.nursingworld.org