lroche

The reason BSN nurses are preferred is because they do have the community health education part of their program. Another reason is the autonomous way RN's work in home care. BSN nurses tend to have better critical thinking skills and can work autonomously. They don't always have to report to someone at a higher level. BSN nurses are better prepared for a supervisory role - management role - whether or not they actually have a supervisory/management title. They fucntion that way normally. More education is always better. I haven't always thought this way, however. "A nurse is a nurse is a nurse..." isn't really true. Granted there are excellent ADN's out there - some of them my best friends and I would entrust the care of my family member to them. But - they're not always that way. I prefer a better prepared nurse (BSN) rather than taking my chances that the ADN is as good. BSN nurses also need good clinical experience. The fact that they have their BSN does not make them more qualified automatically. They need to pay their dues like everyone else. Nursing is like anything else - the more education you have the better off you'll be. In other professions - with less responsibility - bachelor's or higher is required. Why not nursing? I think it would help to raise the view of the nurse as a "professional". It think nursing would receive more respect if the requirement to become a RN is BSN or higher. I hope to never stop educating myself - no matter how many degrees I end up with!

I am the Director of Nursing for a Certified Home Health Agency. Prior to this year we had all RN staff. I have two LPN's that work for me. I have limited their duties in the field because use of LPN's is new here in rural NYS. I have knowledgeable, skillful LPN's - I would like them to be able to be involved in PICC lines (blood draws, dressing changes, IV infusion, CV caths, etc.) We also don't allow them to supervise home health aides. Has anyone out there had experience in this area? I NEED HELP!

I am a Director of Nursing. I only have one BSN degree nurse that works for me. Do you think nurses with a BSN is necessary in Home Care or in any nursing field? What do you think are the advantages of having BSN nurses on staff?