New laws requiring LPNs and RNs to become BSN by 2016

[Vocationofalifetime]

Hello,

I'm an LPN (since 1993), and have recently learned that LPNs and 3-year/or diploma RNs are required to become BSNs before 2016 in order to keep their jobs. The change is apparently due to the new medicare laws and 'Obamacare'. Does anyone know if this is true?

Last Summer, incidentally, I decided to pursue my BSN degree as I would like to increase knowledge and develop my skills as a hands on nurse in the field of pediatrics. Thus, I had already started down this road on my own. Interestingly, my nursing supervisor (Master's level) informed me shortly after I had enrolled in a LPN-BSN program, that it would be required by law by 2016 for all LPNs and RNs without a BSN to obtain a BSN in order to practice nursing in the future.

I haven't heard any news released about this requirement, and if it's actually true, why isn't this knowledge to all nurses (LPNs and RNs) working out in the field? I'm posting this thread to create a dialogue about this issue. Does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

OP is more than a year old… can't we just let this one disappear into the old thread bin?

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

OP is more than a year old… can't we just let this one disappear into the old thread bin?

Have to admit I've been guilty of this...respond to a post only to realize after I hit "post comment" that I'm commenting on something so old the poster probably doesn't even remember it anymore. Feels pretty foolish!

[RHope]

Nice. Nursing is just such a rewarding, welcoming profession. When people say, "You must really like being a nurse", is it hard to hold in the laughter?

[RHope]

Does anyone feel they should end all associate degree nursing programs being that most employers are beginning to no longer hiring them? What's the use of graduating new associate degree RNs if they can't get hired? Nursing homes are still using associate degree RNs and LPNs. You don't need a BSN to paste cream on a butt and pass pills or supervise and/or manage those who do it. But those jobs are going to start becoming scarce as the new ADN grads have no other options.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Does anyone feel they should end all associate degree nursing programs being that most employers are beginning to no longer hiring them?

There are settings other than nursing homes that welcome associate degree nurses.

There's home health, private duty, hospice, ambulatory care, group homes, adult daycare, assisted living, jails, prison infirmaries, psychiatric facilities, methadone clinics, and so forth.

I work for an insurance company. More than half of the case managers in the division where I work are associate degree RNs.

[mestisa]

If this is true, is there a grandfather clause? That is, if you are already in the field anc working you may have a lot longer to complete this or not at all.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If this is true, is there a grandfather clause?

This information is not true. No law exists that requires LPNs to obtain the BSN degree by a predetermined deadline.

[Pianoplaya94]

Interesting, where I live (Canada) ALL registered nurses MUST have a BSN (there is no associate's degree). We still have LPNs / RPNs, though and I don't think that will change.