DNPpat

Great point about the ADN programs actually taking more than two years. This has been widely discussed among nurse educators. Most ADN nurses have substantially more education that other graduates at the associates' degree level. They have actually made significant progress toward a baccalaureate degree, but don't get the 'credit' if you will. This is the primary reason why many RN-BSN programs only take one year. For many RNs, it only takes a year to accomplish the content needed for the BSN which has not already been covered in nursing pre-reqs and core courses at the associates level. I also tend to agree that there is a larger 'jump' at the BSN - MSN level.

Another option is a direct entry MSN program. You would still need to get the pre-req's and be ready to zoom.

Double check about the accreditation; what you want is not 'regional' accreditation or general accreditation. You want a program with national accreditation for nursing education. I believe their BSN programs are nationally accredited, but not sure about their MSN programs. Kaplan has had some very public accusations about misleading students about accreditation (not to say that is the case here, but double check prior to enrollment)

You are asking some very reasonable questions, and your humility is refreshing. Your final sentences here are so important, but let's return to that in a moment. The original poster spoke about experienced and (in the poster's opinion) highly qualified AD nurses losing their employment, presumably to allow the employer to hire BSN graduates to replace them. If true, that is inexcusable and in no one's best interest. These experienced nurses represent a huge 'brain trust' for us all. If employees have been discriminated against they sometimes have recourse through their state labor board or union representation, and I would encourage them to pursue that. That aside, there is a very good reason for the powerful professional shift in favor of more advanced education for nurses. This push comes from within nursing, not from outside pressure. Although there has been a recognition of the need for many years, market forces have largely impaired progress. The increasing complexity of health care has definitely made it more clear recently. I won't take space here with details, but if you (or others) are interested a good place to start is with the Carnegie Foundation report in 2009 titled Educating nurses: A call for radical transformation. The IOM report mentioned earlier provided a further review of the evidence and also concluded with a powerful call for a more highly educated nursing workforce. Virtually all of the major national nursing organizations support this change, including the American Nurses' Association, the National League for Nursing, the American Organization of Nurse Executives and I can assure you they did not take these positions without careful and thoughtful review of the evidence and implications. This is never meant to be disrespectful of the enormous contribution made every day by associate degree nurses. The ASN and ADN programs have a proven track record of providing high quality education for entry-level nurses,and this is a very important pathway into the profession. Some of the most important support for academic progression in nursing, however, comes with the endorsement of the national organizations responsible for providing ADN programs. The American Association of Community Colleges and the National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing, among others, have noted the need for an associate degree entry point *and* progression on to higher degrees. See American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Joint Statement on Academic Progression for Nursing Students and Graduates. To your specific question, there are a couple of reasons for hospitals to trend toward hiring of BSNs now, even if the stated goal is 80% by 2020. Here is the easy one: If a hospital has 50% AD nurses, and they want to move to a higher percentage (without the totally unethical behavior of firing folks who don't deserve it) they can only change the numbers in two ways - encourage their current nurses to go back to school, or preferential hiring. Since many of their existing employees may choose not to get an advanced degree, they change their hiring practices. The more subtle reason is that changes in health care will likely favor the facilities with more highly educated nurses. Nurses with a BSN or higher are more likely (not exclusively) positioned to evaluate health outcomes in view of the current research, evaluate population health within a community, minimize acute care episodes, and a variety of other things that will become increasingly valuable to patients and providers alike. So.... back to your last sentences. Even after my lengthy diatribe here, I can't think of a better way to say why this issue is important. Increased knowledge puts more tools in the tool chest, and we all benefit from that.

You have a *great* education for advancement in nursing! The RN - MSN programs seem like a good fit for your circumstances. Here are some basic factoids: American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Degree Completion Programs for Registered Nurses: RN to Master's Degree and RN to Baccalaureate Programs http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/brochures/GradStudentsBrochure.pdf and here is an example of a program which is largely on-line: https://nursing.gwu.edu/adn-bsnmsn-program You did not mention a career goal - are you interested in teaching? Your degrees in psych and education would provide a wonderful framework, and we need high quality nurse educators!

What a shame that your program does not seem to be offering you what you need or had hoped for. You don't mention your field aside from not wanting to go "back" to bedside nursing, so it is a little difficult to address your question. In general, the 'point' is to advance your education in such a way that you have new skills and expertise to offer patients (or your staff if you are in management, or your students if you teach, etc.). The RN - BSN programs generally do not require additional clinical time in recognition that having passed the NCLEX-RN means you have mastered basic clinical nursing skills. (Many BSN programs do have options for you to advance your clinical skills through projects, if that is your area of interest.) The 'valued added' of the BSN is in development of critical thinking skills, leadership, case management, application of research to practice, population health, health promotion, and other focus areas. Naturally this does not mean that nurses without an advanced degree can't do well in one of these areas; just that this is the goal of the added education. In addition, health care is changing so fast that much of the education of health professionals is now about setting the stage for self directed lifelong learning. Statistics is a great example. You are correct, most nurses will not use stats on a regular basis in clinical practice. But if you don't have a basic understanding of statistics, you cannot appropriately review or understand the literature to evaluate the benefit of new medications, practice standards, or procedures. Hope your program improves!

There are many, many RN to BSN programs. This is a highly competitive business, so you need to be a responsible consumer and do your research (good practice for the work ahead!). Do not consider programs which are not accredited by CCNE. Start here to search for programs that meet that minimum standard CCNE - Accredited Programs An online program may be the most expedient for you, and some are priced very competitively. If you are considering an advanced practice role you might want to consider an RN to MSN program, which will include the BSN content. Since you mention having been out of clinical (and presumably school) for quite a while, be aware you will likely need to update some coursework.

Lucky you; you have lots of choices. There are many RN to MSN programs, including some with APRN options. Virtually all have some online work; others are nearly all online (with your precepted clinical experience in your own geographic locale). I would strongly advise against looking for the cheapest program. Obviously cost is a factor, but you want a high quality educational experience for your own sanity, and you want to offer your patients care based on expertise. As long as you select an accredited program, all MSN programs are inclusive of the BSN content. Some (but not all) allow you to exit at the appropriate time with your BSN if your circumstances have changed; others do not, so again, you have to investigate. Start here for a some information and a 2010 listing of RN to MSN programs (not all offer an NP option, so you need to do your research) American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Degree Completion Programs for Registered Nurses: RN to Master's Degree and RN to Baccalaureate Programs http://www.aacn.nche.edu/research-data/RNMSN.pdf You should be aware that there is increasing pressure for nurse practitioners to have a doctoral degree (DNP). This is not a requirement, but something you might want to read up about before you make a choice.

A great panel discussion last week on this topic on Politico, featuring the President of AAFP and the President of American Association of Nurse Practitioners, as well as Donna Shalala and others. Pro Health Care Breakfast Briefing: Defining the Scope of Practice - POLITICO.com

These are important and reasonable concerns. A substantial body of evidence supports the health risks of night shift work and circadian rhythm disruption. Some individuals have been shown to be much more adaptable than others, but most can improve their adaptation. The most important first step is to be sure you have 8-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every 24 hours, so you are definitely not being "TOO adapted" by sleeping 10 - 6. You might consider some of the options for timed exposure to full spectrum light. If you have not already, google 'shift work adaptation'. If you turn out to be unable to make at least a decent adjustment to nights, it is in the best interest of your health AND the safety of your patients to continue your good efforts to find other options, including those outside the acute care hospital.

Congratulations on your acceptance into nursing school! The associates degree programs are an important pathway into nursing, and they are widely utilized. It's true that increasing complexity of health care and recent research on the relationship between nursing education and patient outcomes have created a professional shift in favor of more advanced education. You are clearly aware of those implications and have a good plan for moving forward! I do want to clarify a point made by HodgieRN above, though. Complete tuition reimbursement for BSN education by employers is still the exception rather than the rule. Many have some tuition support, but it may be a relatively small amount of money. Still, as you have wisely noted, you will be able to work at a higher wage while you continue coursework for your baccalaureate or other degree.