NY State may require nurses to obtain 4-year degrees

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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But some worry that an already severe shortage will become worse.

New York is mulling over a requirement that would force all RNs to earn a bachelor's degree in order to keep their RN certification-a step that critics worry could serve as a body blow to a profession already facing a severe shortage.

Under the state Board of Nursing proposal, RNs with associate's degrees would have to earn bachelor's degrees within 10 years, or their RN certifications would be downgraded to that of licensed practical nurse. That would make nursing somewhat like teaching in New York state; certified K-12 teachers need master's degrees or must obtain one within three years of starting a job. It would also add years and thousands of dollars to the difficulty of becoming an RN...

Full Article: http://www.rochesterdandc.com/news/0413BA3TIOG_news.shtml

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Jami; the math does not support your theory. The fact is, a very large proportion of RNs hold associate's degrees, in some places,as many as 70% plus. That does not make BSN nurses "key" to professional nursing. But I do think it's a standard we can/should aspire to as professional registered nurses. Just like world peace; I would LOVE to see nurses make peace with each others' educational paths and grow up----there are some really big fish to fry for us-----that we are ignoring some pretty critical issues due to this petty infighting is sad to me.

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Specializes in ICU-Stepdown.

There can be NO peace while Kirk LIVES!.

oops, wrong movie!

Peace through superior firepower!

oops, wrong slogan.

:D

It IS curious that the one who is whining about unity is also the one who is blaming the disunity on others for not attaining the levels that the one person believes we all should be at. MOST of the rest of us ADNs are quite happy to just be RNs, and do our jobs.

Nothing wrong with higher education -but it really isn't for everybody. I do plan to get my bachelors one day, and a desk job after that -not in a hospital setting.

For now, I'm a competent nurse (RN) and I work well with others. High-acuity patients are interesting and a busy shift goes by quicker than a boring shift.

It does seem that the few unhappy BSNs are the ones making nearly all of the fuss -the ADNs aren't out there picking on the BSNs (though they are fighting back at the insults FROM the unhappy BSNs) -so if being a BSN is the path to happiness and feelings of 'respect' from whomever you think is 'respecting' you because of the letters behind your name, then why gripe at the rest of us who couldn't care less about what others think -when the call bell tolls, it tolls for thee, and the one on the button side of that call bell doesn't care about your extra letters -they just want their 'needs' met. And quite frankly, there aren't any of these needs that a BSN can fulfill any better than an ADN -and more often than not, a trained monkey could actually do a lot of it!

-time to go empty a bedpan. :D

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Hi all

just my two cents.

Here in Ontario, where BSN is required, Diploma RNs have been grandfathered. They dont need to get BSN within any amount of time. Though i think that a lot of those that had 2-3 years experience or less when the change occurred are choosing to, probably because they feel a little vulnerable.

Those with more experience, well their years of experience is worth a lot more than having a BSN IMO.

I think that the 4 years BSN nursing programs here are somewhat more regulated. My university begins clinicals in 1st semester of 1st year. Most do in 1st or 2nd semester. Along with this we have nursing courses and clinicals from year 1 to year 4. Im hearing a lot of universities in states are purely liberal courses first two years. This might be excellent for some students, but others might prefer 4 years.

Most universities here run on a 20 credits to graduate system, where a 1/2 credit is designated a 1 semester course. For me 17.5 credits are nursing credits, and what you guys would call nursing pre-reqs.

If any state mandated BSN only, a good thing might be to create a

standard for the BSN program.

As to those that are LPNs, 2 year programs for them still exist here., as well as jobs. Recently a few hospitals in Southern Ont. have gone RN only. However, its probably not a direct result of the BSN mandate. LPNs though are getting jobs where they are not being used to thier full potential i have seen.

ALso for those that are in more rural settings, many community colleges have partnered with universities, so the students can do thier first two years in thier home town addressing the issue of accessibility.

Its hard to say, if any State mandated BSN only, whether the same results would occur or not. But im sure they would look at what worked and didnt work here.

Recently, other provinces have also gone BSN only

CrazyZanyMad

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Jami_Jared -I find it a bit insulting that you keep expressing the belief that we must attain BSN before we can be viewed as 'professionals'.

Hate to break your egg shells, but I AM a professional. This is NOT a blue-collar job, and just any tom-dick-or harry off the street cannot come in, apply and do the job.

But Tom-Dick-& Harry are only 2 years from being able to do so.

Im just playing, Lol. This is so crazy to me. Coming from a patients point of view I would want the nurse who is passionate, competent, and more experienced. I wouldnt ask for an adn or bsn. For the BSNs just be happy that you have an advantage, and for the adns just feel lucky to make more than average bear off of a associates degree.

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parade magazine (an insert in sunday newspapers nationwide) recently published rns as one of the best jobs WITHOUT a college degree in april.

the ana had a fit and wrote to them to clarify this.

the parade editors and authors were SO certain rns did not attend college they never even THOUGHT to research it.

this speaks VOLUMES to the public's perception of us!

we need to make a bachelor's degree required. until we do, very little will EVER really change.

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parade magazine (an insert in sunday newspapers nationwide) recently published rns as one of the best jobs WITHOUT a college degree in april.

the ana had a fit and wrote to them to clarify this.

the parade editors and authors were SO certain rns did not attend college they never even THOUGHT to research it.

this speaks VOLUMES to the public's perception of us!

we need to make a bachelor's degree required. until we do, very little will EVER really change.

There are diploma RNs right? Therefore it may be one of the best jobs without a college degree

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parade magazine (an insert in sunday newspapers nationwide) recently published rns as one of the best jobs WITHOUT a college degree in april.

the ana had a fit and wrote to them to clarify this.

the parade editors and authors were SO certain rns did not attend college they never even THOUGHT to research it.

this speaks VOLUMES to the public's perception of us!

we need to make a bachelor's degree required. until we do, very little will EVER really change.

I wonder if even that would make any difference, at least for another generation or so, as it is so embedded in the public's mind that hospitals still have "nurses in training", and that one becomes a nurse through on the job work. This is totally without regard to the fact that we've had decades' worth of associate degrees in nursing, not to mention bachelor's.

As I read your post, I thought of a recent post on another thread, one in which a BSN-RN was asked how long it took her to get her license, "was it a year?" When told it was actually a four year process, a bachelor's degree, the person responded in surprise, "just to be a nurse?"

So, having all BSNs isn't really the image change. Educating the public on what the heck we DO and WHY education on our parts is imperative is the answer.

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I work in NY with my hard earned Associate Degree. I've had BSN students assigned to me and associate students assigned to me. The associate students know more about "hands-on" care and skills than the BSN. Nursing isn't always how the book reads. I'm proud of my degree and wouldn't change a thing unless forced into it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
I work in NY with my hard earned Associate Degree. I've had BSN students assigned to me and associate students assigned to me. The associate students know more about "hands-on" care and skills than the BSN. Nursing isn't always how the book reads. I'm proud of my degree and wouldn't change a thing unless forced into it.

That's a poor reflection of the BSN school there. I orient and precept both as well and find no difference in the skill levels and "hands on". So it's just a regional thing. Don't make the presumption that BSNs have less hands on and are full of book knowledge only. :)

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Specializes in ER, telemetry.

There are many areas that Professional doesn't require a Bachelors or a Masters, nursing is one of them. I've seen what comes out of the local BSN program and it's far from professional and it's all the same test. Don't worry, NY will be reversing this idiotic requirement too.

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Specializes in ER, telemetry.
That's a poor reflection of the BSN school there. I orient and precept both as well and find no difference in the skill levels and "hands on". So it's just a regional thing. Don't make the presumption that BSNs have less hands on and are full of book knowledge only. :)

Maybe yours is just a regional thing seeing no difference. I know three areas who will all tell you the same thing and in this particular area, the ADN program really does have more experience -- 35% more clinical hours than the BSN program. It just lacks the management courses. I've worked in hospitals in 3 different areas and almost without exception, the ADN grads are far more competent on the floor the first 3 months out of school than the BSN students. Plus, they are easier to get along with and dont have that "...I just graduated, don't tell ME how to do things" attitude

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Good Afternoon,

Can we just all get along. Always something out there to create a separation. First of all, we all need each other. Second, it depends on the individual. I've been in both programs, ADN first & BSN 2nd. Yes, I have a BSN & very glad those instructors brain wash me to get my BSN. ADN's are not more competent than the BSN's. Most BSN program cover everything an ADN program with clinical & practical application. Now there may be an ADN individual who have access himself / herself (knowledge) with multi experiences in nursing. I have worked with ADN and knew they were an ADN's. I have worked with an LPN & would take her before I take an new BSN grad. Again, it depends on the indiviual.

Treasure

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