Does Obamacare 2014 allow only BSRN to sit for NCLEX-RN?

Nurses Activism

Published

Does Obamacare 2014 allow only BSRN degrees to sit for NCLEX-RN? Not diploma or associate degree RN? A student I talked to yesterday said that SNAP (Student Nurses' Association of PA) was saying that is true for Pennsylvania, at the most recent convention.

Is anyone else hearing similar warnings or rumors?

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Licensure is a function of STATE government, not Federal government. PA BON and State law regulates the profession of nursing. The Affordable Care Act makes recommendations for a higher educated workforce, has provisions for financing of nursing education programs for advanced practice and nursing education roles but cannot legislate nursing education levels.

Board Approved Programs

Considering that PA has 19 Diploma Programs, 27 Associate Degree Programs that would be impacted along with 36 Baccalaureate Degree Programs --no current legislative action to change PA's educational programs.

However, market forces in SE PA: glut of new graduates, closure/consolidation of hospitals, shift to out-patient care, and IOM/RWJ report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health Focus on Education recommending 80% nursing staff have BSN by 2020, have led many Philadelphia area hospital systems to hire only BSN educated staff for past 2 years.

Awwww, this is just a bush league Romney commercial, folks

Don't feed the troll.

^^ That is the most asinine response, yet. If you had bothered to read through the entire thread, you'd have seen that I originally posed the question in the in the STUDENT section because I wanted to know what STUDENTS were hearing. I live in PA. We have a lot of diploma schools in the western part of the state, and also community colleges that offer the associate degree. I'm just wondering if I'd be wasting my time going through that schooling only to be told at the end of it that I can't do anything without the BS degree. If that's the case, nursing wouldn't be worth my pursuing, because I am a single adult who already has vocational skills, and it would be more fiscally prudent for me to use them as opposed to invest in a diploma or associate degree RN, unless that RN schooling alone is sufficient to immediately put me back in the workforce at $21/hour or better. Capise now? Troll, yourself.

Thank you for that concise answer, KarenRN.

As others have stated this has nothing to do with any legislation. The push towards bachelor's prepared nurses is due to the 2010 IOM report on the recommendations for the future of nursing. As well as hospitals pushing for Magnet status.

Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
^^ That is the most asinine response, yet. If you had bothered to read through the entire thread, you'd have seen that I originally posed the question in the in the STUDENT section because I wanted to know what STUDENTS were hearing. I live in PA. We have a lot of diploma schools in the western part of the state, and also community colleges that offer the associate degree. I'm just wondering if I'd be wasting my time going through that schooling only to be told at the end of it that I can't do anything without the BS degree. If that's the case, nursing wouldn't be worth my pursuing, because I am a single adult who already has vocational skills, and it would be more fiscally prudent for me to use them as opposed to invest in a diploma or associate degree RN, unless that RN schooling alone is sufficient to immediately put me back in the workforce at $21/hour or better. Capise now? Troll, yourself.

Thank you for that concise answer, KarenRN.

I make more then that as an LPN here in Pa. but I have been doing it for a long time.

You need to do what others have suggested and look into the facts instead of listening to "he said-she said" crap.Students hear alot of stuff and report much of it inaccurately. Do some research in YOUR area-look at the job market.Almost the only thing available in my area now is PRN-there are very few full or part time positions for LPN's or RN's (either flavor) Who knows when or if that will ever change.Re-imbursements have been cut and every employer is looking to cut costs.

If nursing is your "dream" then go for it-more education will equal more opportunities.That is just common sense and applies to any field.You should know that.

Also-one of my PRN supervisors is a clinical instructor( she has her masters) in a large BSN program-she has been the source of more mis-information then anyone I know -she is a gossip monger and prone to exaggeration. Some people just like to "stir the pot"

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

LOL! LOL! LOL! man some people will believe anything.

I agree. I am a BSN Student and have been told many things.. like "you only want to work in a MAGNET hospital", blah, blah... my teacher has literally said "if you don't want to be a leader than take the bus to the community college".. Many rumors are started in the nursing field, even though we are supposed to be the "most trusted" profession. Give BPENG a break, s/he may have learned wrong. As far as sitting for the NCLEX, yes, it will all be the same. Although the IOM report may expect a little too much as far as their goals for 2020, there has come a time when, in my state, diploma schools have been completely transferred into BSN programs. Will that eventually happen with ADN programs, who knows, who cares... let's just stop the bullying of each other, it's a little excessive!

Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology, Epic CT.

From what I know as a BSN student myself and from working at a hospital as a Pharmacy Tech in the past and talking with the ICU charge nurse at that time(just a few months ago), not to mention, having friends who are nurses at the other local hospitals, a BSN degree is a PREFERENCE to hospitals and not a requirement. Even though, that trend may change in the upcoming years...As far as the NCLEX goes, usually a state's BON regulates who is eligible to test and not federal entities.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology, Epic CT.
^^ That is the most asinine response, yet. If you had bothered to read through the entire thread, you'd have seen that I originally posed the question in the in the STUDENT section because I wanted to know what STUDENTS were hearing. I live in PA. We have a lot of diploma schools in the western part of the state, and also community colleges that offer the associate degree. I'm just wondering if I'd be wasting my time going through that schooling only to be told at the end of it that I can't do anything without the BS degree. If that's the case, nursing wouldn't be worth my pursuing, because I am a single adult who already has vocational skills, and it would be more fiscally prudent for me to use them as opposed to invest in a diploma or associate degree RN, unless that RN schooling alone is sufficient to immediately put me back in the workforce at $21/hour or better. Capise now? Troll, yourself.

Thank you for that concise answer, KarenRN.

Just to reply to this specific post, I think if you are going to return to school in order to pursue another field of study, whether it be nursing or otherwise, I think you should get the most out of the experience. Especially if, as you describe yourself to be, a "single adult who already has vocational skills". At least, that is my point of view on things, which is why I decided to go to a school that offers a BSN rather than an ADN. Yes, it is fiscally more expensive, but in my situation, there is a 2-3 year waiting list for community colleges just to get an ADN degree, not to mention, like you, I too, am a single adult who already has "vocational skills" in the form of another associate's degree and health care experience to boot. So why not further my education?

Besides, I want to start my nursing career as soon as possible! Not sit on a waiting list year after year.

That is just my view on things.

However, the advice you should take away from this forum and what many others have stated before me is: verify the information you hear from others for yourself, since you have that power.

Good luck!

Just because it's healthcare related and you don't like it, that doesn't mean it should be blamed on Obamacare.

My grandma died in a hospital 10 years ago. Obamacare!

My hospital is requiring us to wear all white scrubs. Obamacare!

I called in twice a week for 4 months and was fired. Obamacare!

Before blaming something on PPACA, actually look at the bill, or at least read a summary from a credible source.

Wooh- lol that was so funny!! Rotfl

I personally think it is a good idea because you need the critical thinking skills to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients. But some of the best nurses I know only have an ADN. We will see what happens. Hope this helps.

Yep, that helps alot- ADN's and diploma RN's do absolutely no critical thinking.

Hey Sandra Dee-"schooling" "vocational skills" can we please stop yapping like we are from a bad"Tammy and the Millionaire" film!!

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I agree. I am a BSN Student and have been told many things.. like "you only want to work in a MAGNET hospital", blah, blah..!

*** The irony of that is that lots of experienced nurses would prefer to NOT work in a Magnet hospital other things being equal.

+ Add a Comment