NY Mandates "BSN in 10"

Nurses General Nursing

Published

So, this happened last year, but I just found out about it last night. NYS now requires all RNs to have a BSN within ten years of licensure. People who are already nurses or are currently in school are grandfathered in, but this seems like big news. I have several questions and concerns. Most importantly, why is this mandated, but staffing ratios aren't? Even though current nurses are grandfathered in, won't they still have to get the BSN due to employer demand? Are accrediting boards going to look at current nursing school curriculum and create updates to meet the needs of the modern nursing climate? It will also be interesting to see what happens to diploma/community college programs. Perhaps they will survive by entering into partnership with four year programs?

I am not against continuing education. I will earn my BSN this summer. I am mostly angry that more requirements are being placed on nurses, yet issues like workplace safety, stagnant salaries and under staffing are seemingly being ignored.

What do you think about this change?

Will a BSN from University of Phoenix count?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

The specifics of how this will work are yet to be ironed out, but basically all NY is doing is renaming ADN programs as BSN programs. The law mandates that ADN programs use a shared curriculum with a BSN program, and that with the addition of sufficient elective credits the partnering BSN program will grant a BSN degree to graduates of ADN programs. Diploma programs will no longer exist, although my understanding is that there is only one diploma program left in NY state.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Funny how a state will mandate this but the National test (NCLEX) is written at an ADN level.

Whenever there is an overabundance of nurses I have seen the requirements seem to go up where I live. Years ago when Florida (or really anywhere) had that shortage (I am really showing my age here). Hospitals hired LPNs like crazy. We even had agency traveler's to help meet the demands. We couldn't find enough RNs to work and we needed them to sign our admissions and hang our blood. Of course back then we didn't have a for profit nursing school on every corner pumping out new grads every second either.

Then hospitals went RN only. Any pre-existing LPNs working were given a deadline to get their RN or work as an aide, or find a job with a different company. Schools also decided to make it harder to finish schools or get into programs now because there was a higher demand for them. LPNs were finding out that if they took certain math and science classes years ago that they would have to retake them again if it had been more than five years, even if they had an A and the class was taken at that same school and had the same course code and used the same book with just with a different copyright date. In order to get the RN, they had to retake courses that they already took and passed.

Now we have plenty of RNs, many of them new. Many of them may have paid a very hefty tuition for their two year degree. Now they are being told that their employer will require them to have a bachelor's degree. More options are available now, especially with online classes. More tuition and possibly more debt, depending on what, if anything, the employer is willing to help cover in expenses. This can be required now because more nurses are available with their BSNs.

Take away the abundance of supply and the employer with cut down their requirements so that they can obtain staffing. Right now, employers have the upper hand and can dictate to us what we have to do in order to keep our jobs. There was recently a thread on here about some states hiring LPNs in hospitals again with an agreement to complete their RN within a given time frame. I'm thinking that these were probably in states where RNs were in short supply, regardless of how many years of schooling they had.

Where I live we still hire ADNs, lucky for me. I already tried to call their bluff the first time and I got a rude awakening many years later. I'm not willing to do that again so I will be completing my BSN. God help me if they add MSN to the list before I'm ready to retire. What we do have a shortage of is what the market considers qualified....aka EXPERIENCED RNs...this is where new grads sometimes have a difficulty finding that first job or taking one that is less than ideal to get that golden 1-2 years experience before they can work where they really want.

In another 10 or 20 years we will probably see a completely different set of issues, all dependent on how many open jobs there are to fill and what kind of applicants there are to fill the voids.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Funny how a state will mandate this but the National test (NCLEX) is written at an ADN level.

This is one state out of fifty (plus DC, plus the various territories). And what do you mean about the NCLEX being "written at an ADN level"? The NCLEX is written to measure what is perceived as the minimum level of knowledge to safely enter practice (I know, I know, whether it does that is an entirely different conversation ...), and, as far as I know, has nothing to do with what type of pre-licensure nursing program the applicant completed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
So, this happened last year, but I just found out about it last night. NYS now requires all RNs to have a BSN within ten years of licensure. People who are already nurses or are currently in school are grandfathered in, but this seems like big news. I have several questions and concerns. Most importantly, why is this mandated, but staffing ratios aren't? Even though current nurses are grandfathered in, won't they still have to get the BSN due to employer demand? Are accrediting boards going to look at current nursing school curriculum and create updates to meet the needs of the modern nursing climate? It will also be interesting to see what happens to diploma/community college programs. Perhaps they will survive by entering into partnership with four year programs?

I am not against continuing education. I will earn my BSN this summer. I am mostly angry that more requirements are being placed on nurses, yet issues like workplace safety, stagnant salaries and under staffing are seemingly being ignored.

What do you think about this change?

Happened before Christmas (last) and received very little media coverage. Live in NYC and there was nothing on any of the news programs or in major newspapers, at least from what I saw/heard.

State adopts ‘BSN in 1

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.
Happened before Christmas (last) and received very little media coverage. Live in NYC and there was nothing on any of the news programs or in major newspapers, at least from what I saw/heard.

State adopts ‘BSN in 1' bill for nurses | News, Sports, Jobs - Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Everything else have been able to find are press releases.

New York governor signs BSN in 1 into law for nurses | Nurse.com | Nurse.com Blog

Obviously some are *very* happy with this and see it as a toe hold to push a greater nationwide effort. Others see things differently.

Downstate in the NYC/Westchester/Long Island area it has been pretty much de facto "BSN required" for almost a decade or so. However in areas where they are already facing shortages of nurses such as upstate, it will be interesting to see how this all rolls out.

You can read the entire bill here: NY State Senate Bill S2145

Basically NYS is now mandating all ADN or diploma (there is one such school remaining IIRC) graduates complete a bridge course within then years of licensure, or face a "hold" being placed on said license.

One thing that will be interesting is that this may actually result in no more bridge programs (RN to BSN) in New York, since ADN grads will now just be called BSN grads there will potentially be no more use for bridge programs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In the Philly area, we have what I call "BSN by default". As in, the big hospitals only hire BSN and no longer higher ASN nurses. This has been going on for close to 10 years now. And because of the amount of mergers and acquisitions, the big hospitals can call the shots, because we have only a few health systems now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Sorry but you are being misled as far as "anyone worth working for" what an elitist view.With a nursing shortage looming in the wings not an idea employers will adhere to.It is still preferred not required.As long as you are in "progress" you will be ok. This is just as bad as the public's view that so and so hospital has the "best" nurses because their pay scale is higher, not knowing that had one of the lowest salaries and highest turnover rate.There are many factors to look at and analyze before deciding where you would like to work, not just who requires a BSN must be the best place. You could be a Phd and if the staffing ration aint right,someone got floated,someone called in sick,census and admits just surged upwards then you have just found your own "********!!!"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
In the Philly area, we have what I call "BSN by default". As in, the big hospitals only hire BSN and no longer higher ASN nurses. This has been going on for close to 10 years now. And because of the amount of mergers and acquisitions, the big hospitals can call the shots, because we have only a few health systems now.

Essentially same thing in New York City.

New York Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, Northwell (formerly North Shore-LIJ), and NYU pretty much have a lock on hospitals in Manhattan, Staten Island, a good part of (and expanding) Brooklyn. Throw in Montefiore for the Bronx, and there you are.

All are BSN preferred or mandated healthcare networks so if you are an ADN graduate ....

IIRC only other major healthcare system in NYC that will hire ADN grads is the Health and Hospitals Corporation, the NYC run municipal healthcare system.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Funny how a state will mandate this but the National test (NCLEX) is written at an ADN level.

Whenever there is an overabundance of nurses I have seen the requirements seem to go up where I live. Years ago when Florida (or really anywhere) had that shortage (I am really showing my age here). Hospitals hired LPNs like crazy. We even had agency traveler's to help meet the demands. We couldn't find enough RNs to work and we needed them to sign our admissions and hang our blood. Of course back then we didn't have a for profit nursing school on every corner pumping out new grads every second either.

Then hospitals went RN only. Any pre-existing LPNs working were given a deadline to get their RN or work as an aide, or find a job with a different company. Schools also decided to make it harder to finish schools or get into programs now because there was a higher demand for them. LPNs were finding out that if they took certain math and science classes years ago that they would have to retake them again if it had been more than five years, even if they had an A and the class was taken at that same school and had the same course code and used the same book with just with a different copyright date. In order to get the RN, they had to retake courses that they already took and passed.

Now we have plenty of RNs, many of them new. Many of them may have paid a very hefty tuition for their two year degree. Now they are being told that their employer will require them to have a bachelor's degree. More options are available now, especially with online classes. More tuition and possibly more debt, depending on what, if anything, the employer is willing to help cover in expenses. This can be required now because more nurses are available with their BSNs.

Take away the abundance of supply and the employer with cut down their requirements so that they can obtain staffing. Right now, employers have the upper hand and can dictate to us what we have to do in order to keep our jobs. There was recently a thread on here about some states hiring LPNs in hospitals again with an agreement to complete their RN within a given time frame. I'm thinking that these were probably in states where RNs were in short supply, regardless of how many years of schooling they had.

Where I live we still hire ADNs, lucky for me. I already tried to call their bluff the first time and I got a rude awakening many years later. I'm not willing to do that again so I will be completing my BSN. God help me if they add MSN to the list before I'm ready to retire. What we do have a shortage of is what the market considers qualified....aka EXPERIENCED RNs...this is where new grads sometimes have a difficulty finding that first job or taking one that is less than ideal to get that golden 1-2 years experience before they can work where they really want.

In another 10 or 20 years we will probably see a completely different set of issues, all dependent on how many open jobs there are to fill and what kind of applicants there are to fill the voids.

This is history that helps me to understand a bit more about what is going on in nursing. I think, because I am new to this industry, that I am a bit shocked at how nurses seem to get batted about by so many entities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Essentially same thing in New York City.

New York Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, Northwell (formerly North Shore-LIJ), and NYU pretty much have a lock on hospitals in Manhattan, Staten Island, a good part of (and expanding) Brooklyn. Throw in Montefiore for the Bronx, and there you are.

All are BSN preferred or mandated healthcare networks so if you are an ADN graduate ....

IIRC only other major healthcare system in NYC that will hire ADN grads is the Health and Hospitals Corporation, the NYC run municipal healthcare system.

I think though, (could be wrong! ) that NYC has some other options besides hospitals that offer decent pay. The usual ADN avenues such as homecare and LTC can lead to careers that pay, even if lacking the (as perceived by some)prestige.

Maybe there aren't enough of those options to absorb the influx of nurses, though.

The ADN vs BSN debate may become merely a distraction as the BSN becomes truly mandated. In the end, I just think that since employers are demanding the credentials, nurses should in turn demand basic things that other industries have as a matter of course- lunch breaks, proper staffing, etcetera. I am just unsure about how we get those things.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree. Along with the BSN, there should be decent working conditions, ie staffing, and lunch breaks.

The things that go on and are accepted, even considered normal in nursing, would happen in no other profession.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment