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.
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.
This is just starting across the state in Pittsburgh. However, there is definite evidence of it occurring. We essentially also have two private hospital systems here and plenty of new grads from our existing University systems.
I think some people are stuck on the "prestige" value of a BSN. If there is such value it eludes me. I personally think no less of any nurse whatever degree they hold. I think the whole "to BSN or not to BSN" debate is more about future opportunities than qualifications. As I've stated I personally don't think the BSN adds much and feel that studies that show better outcomes with a BSN nurse have less to do with the actual educational value of a BSN but are more a comparison study of motivation levels between nurses who seek higher education and those that do not. I've been a nurse a long time and I've never heard one nurse tell another that they are a better nurse because they got a BSN. Personally I think such a statement would lead to belly laughs especially by many of us who have gone on to acquire the BSN.
SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN
1,847 Posts
This is just starting across the state in Pittsburgh. However, there is definite evidence of it occurring. We essentially also have two private hospital systems here and plenty of new grads from our existing University systems.
I think some people are stuck on the "prestige" value of a BSN. If there is such value it eludes me. I personally think no less of any nurse whatever degree they hold. I think the whole "to BSN or not to BSN" debate is more about future opportunities than qualifications. As I've stated I personally don't think the BSN adds much and feel that studies that show better outcomes with a BSN nurse have less to do with the actual educational value of a BSN but are more a comparison study of motivation levels between nurses who seek higher education and those that do not. I've been a nurse a long time and I've never heard one nurse tell another that they are a better nurse because they got a BSN. Personally I think such a statement would lead to belly laughs especially by many of us who have gone on to acquire the BSN.