These hospitals are not "required" to hire BSN nurses, they are staffing by choice due to their Magnet status, and others are following. Sucks, but it's there. Also, Knoxville has so many nursing...
I recently graduated with my ASN and began working in a hospital. I am in Knoxville, Tennessee. One large hospital here only hires BSN nurses due to their magnet status, I don't know what they are...