Local hospital now says "BSN or MSN preferred" for all bedside positions?!

calivianya, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2014

There were several MSNs at the bedside at the last place I worked. They seemed to enjoy their job and the pay raise/movement on the clinical ladder that came with going back to get their master's. I see no problem with it.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2014

I just looked at 3 of the bigger hospitals in my area, my own included; all are hiring ADNs w/ BSN or MSN preferred. One said "strongly preferred."

That's crazy. If someone wants to get their MSN more power to them...but I'm not doing all that graduate-level writing for the extra pittance I'd get from the hospital. I don't like writing anyway. I'm working on my BSN, and those papers are bad enough for eating into my family time. And I'm not one who does a lot of research on her own time (some of my colleagues do); I love my job, but I'm one to do it, come home, and be a mom and wife.

mee9mee9 · Mar 20, 2014

what about the rn to bsn students? are they getting hired?

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Mar 20, 2014

@meemee. Yes. People can still get jobs. It depends on you and your area.

mee9mee9 · Mar 21, 2014

@meemee. Yes. People can still get jobs. It depends on you and your area.

Im in the south but i dont plan on going back to school until fall 2017

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2014

Im in the south but i dont plan on going back to school until fall 2017

I'm not sure what you mean

generalRN2008 · Mar 21, 2014

My goodness, I was just getting used to seeing "BSN preferred" at many a big-city hospital in my region. It's not such a thing at the smaller community hospitals in my area as of now, though. Being that it is my Sunday off, I thought I'd look at the nearest big city hospitals' job postings and one in the area has the gumption to request not only BSN-holding, but *MSN* -holding nurses for all bedside positions. Not management. Bedside, direct patient care nurses. Do my eyes deceive me? Has anyone else seen or heard of this going on in their area too??
I'm sure more education is always a good thing, but COME ON! Do you think this hospital is asking too much?

I have seen it in a few areas. Some day, we may see DNP preferred. The world is changing with a high focus on education and student debt.

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2014

Welp. There probably will be an ACTUAL nursing shortage. LOL

OCNRN63, RN · Mar 21, 2014

I have seen it in a few areas. Some day, we may see DNP preferred. The world is changing with a high focus on education and student debt.

Degree creep, courtesy of the ANA. Why go through all that education to be a bedside nurse, working off-shfts, holidays, and weekends? What degree will a nurse practitioner need?

ADeks · Mar 21, 2014

I wonder if the push for MSN bedside RNs will stick. And if there is any pay increase?! The difference between ASN and BSN in the south is minimal.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2014

I would not think MSN nurses would want to be at the bedside. I want to know what they are willing to pay for an MSN vs BSN. 1 or 2 dollars doesn't cut it.
I'm not getting an advanced degree to deal with the shid at the bedside literally.

I am finishing a MSN and have no desire to leave the bedside at this time. I finished the degree because work paid for all of my remaining classes, but I truly love being a bedside nurse. It keeps my options open and in the future I may consider teaching, but for now I am happy

generalRN2008 · Mar 21, 2014

Degree creep, courtesy of the ANA. Why go through all that education to be a bedside nurse, working off-shfts, holidays, and weekends? What degree will a nurse practitioner need?

Diploma used to be the nursing option. NPs will never go away but may have to pursue further if bedside nurses are MSN as well. But why not just go the MD route if there is a push. ANA is a huge driving force but so are the health coverage changes.