Nursing Education -

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been told that nursing for the future will be optimum education level - PhD. Is this necessary? Is this the direction of our furture as nurses?

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hi Diana, Interesting comment! Where are you hearing this??

I'm sure education is vital for nurses' survival, but don't believe all nurses will need a PHD. I DO feel that present A.D. nursing programs try to cram way too much in too short a time. Nursing has become so much more complex since the A.D. programs started 30++ years ago. Still, NLN defines (restricts?) the number of hours/credits in the acredited programs.

(It sounds a lot like working on the floors: more to do with less time to do it!)

Hate to suggest everyone needs a B.S.N. Just feel nursing students need more time/ more education to prepare for the real world. They have to hit the ground running.

I can't imagine a PHD at the bedside day after day unless Heath Care changes enough so nurses have the time and support to really take care and teach patients and families.

I do have hope (dreams?) that nurses who go on with their education will also be better prepared to advocate for nurses and patients.

Thanks for the "food for thought" Diana!

I think that the nursing RN level needs to be a BSN there is so much to learn that 4 years is minimum. But in this age of the shortage we still need the associate level. and then encourage the continuing for BSN.

:) debbiet

I just started my RN program this semester and my instructors say that if and when this shortage passes, the education requirement will most likely go to BSN.

As much as I want to be a nurse and a well educated one at that, around here (Iowa) if you have your BSN you are only flooded w/ paperwork and get maybe $1 more an hour. Is it really worth it? How many of you have BSN and how has it helped you?

I have absolutely nothing against education and kudos to those that continue up that ladder, but isn't it amazing that with all those years of study we still have to answer to a doctor. Can we hang out a shingle ?????? Can we have our own practice????? A few dollars they can keep!!! Phd? (LOL)

Specializes in LDRP; Education.

I've heard that will be a shortage of nursing educators in the academia arena (Masters and above) and that more nurses with advanced degrees will be needed; for the same reasons that bedside nurses will be needed. Most of the instructors/profs are retiring and there are no replacements.

A anticipate that academia will be a lucrative area of nursing to get into.

The nursing shortage we are now experiencing is nothing like we have ever seen before. If we begin to require a PhD very few would go into nursing, thus we would create a greater shortage.

ADN nursing is celebrating 50 years this May. This in my opinion is the best way to help with the shortage. In the four year programs as many as two years of the education is gen ed. Thus, students still only receive two years of nursing clinicals.

Check out results of ADN programs over the last 50 years. You will find NCLEX-RN scores higher than graduates of BSN programs, ADN graduates staff hospitals and it is my belief ADN education will be around for another 50 years and beyond!

Specializes in NICU.

I smell another ADN-BSN debate brewing.

Specializes in LDRP; Education.

I don't think they will ever require the minimum to be a Ph.D or anything above a BSN for the bedside - that would just be insane. I don't think that it what the argument was about. I really think they were referring to the shortage of educators; when I was applying to grad school the professors I was dealing with were talking about statistics and studies that they have read that anticipate a shortage of ALL nurses, but in particular those with advanced degrees, which means a shortage of instructors. So, even if the student nurse population increases, if there is a shortage of educators who are prepared to teach ( you need a Master's to teach at the college level) it will won't be much help to the profession if you have students but no instructors!

I just recently renewed my license and had to take an on-line survey, and more than once the survey asked me if I intend to get my Masters, and if so, would I be willing to teach, and if so, part time or full time? It then asked if I already had my Masters and NOT teaching, would I?

As far as BSNs doing only paperwork, I really think that is a misnomer or may be regional. In my entire graduating class of 66 BSNs - we are all staff nurses the same as any ADN or LPN- doing bedside care. BSNs simply open up more doors for you to move OUT of floor nursing if you choose.

Specializes in LDRP; Education.

Pama, your message about ADNs having better test scores is interesting and that's about it.

As much as that is noteworthy, I don't think that can be attributed to anything other than statistical data. Good test-taking skills does not make anyone a better nurse or better ANYTHING for that matter, other than maybe a student.

Well, here we go again! LOL

I have an ADN and recently received my BSN. I personally feel that the ONLY advantage I received by obtaining my BSN is I am now that much closer to being a NP if I feel the need to do so.

PhD? (Piled Higher and Deeper?) If I am going to go to school for 10+ years, thank you, but I would like to be a doctor. But there is a reason I am not a doctor, and that is because I love my job as a nurse.

Maybe, I am still bitter from school. Sorry. But I just can't see the need for a PhD, unless you want to be an author or a Dean.

no debate here, an rn is an rn, i don,t care if you are diploma, AD or BSN, everybody starts out the same. we all know the real education begins after you graduate. if you want to climb the clinical ladder you need a degree, but in a time of nursing shortage how many middle management jobs do you think there will be, bedside nursing is total job security. i also think that by promoting the fact that if you have a degree you have sooo many more opportunities we are helping to continue the nursing shortage. bedside nursing does not need to be just a stepping stone to something better, bedside nursing is pretty great all by its self.

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