There are states in the eastern part of the US, who are actively debating whether to require a BSN as a minimal requirement to become an RN. If this becomes law, should currently licensed RNs be "grandfathered in?"
While I hold a BS in Nursing, I personally do not agree with mandating a change. I have seen nurses: the good, the bad, and the ugly who are diploma grads, 2 year college grads and 4+ year grads.
My point is always, "BSN -- required for what exactly?" Yes, I think a BSN should be the minimal required for some types of nursing jobs. But that doesn't mean a BSN should be required for all types of nursing jobs that an RN might be interested in. We need to clarify the educational outcomes of all levels of nursing education -- from CNA through PhD. Then schools can decide which level they want to offer and people can decide which level is right for them.
The root of the problem now is not that different types of education are available, it is that there is no clarity on what each level offers and what types of jobs are the best fit for each level.
I first heard about this as I was a part of a national organization of nurses. Here is an article outlining some of the issues that I found online. Hope that helps.
The article provides anecdotal evidence that some facilities are requiring BSN, either at hire or within X years. We all know that's true in some (not all) markets.
However, it's a huge step from that to "states actively debating" the minimum BSN-entry. I do not believe that we will ever completely eliminate the ADN RN.
I am also curious as to which states are actively considering this. If you could please post links OP to where they are thinking of making it the baseline entry standard for RNs. And I don't want links to hospitals who are requiring the BSN for jobs. That's not the same thing. Employers can do that in certain areas because of the extra nurses currently looking for jobs so they can be picky.
They are not going to change the education requirements now. Not until they are sure there won't be a nursing shortage coming up in a few years. The economic crash that came in 2008 is slowly recovering but not enough to where baby boomer nurses can start retiring yet. If there comes a time where all of these nurses retire within a short time frame, there may in fact be a nursing shortage. They will not be enough BSN trained nurses to meet the demands of our aging population.
This is a fairly complex area that has to take into account lots of factors. It's not just thinking well it sounds good to require more education, so let's just make it a requirement. It's also a mandate, not really a law. I don't think they can fine you or send you to jail over your nursing degree. This is an age old question that has been debated endlessly on here. Not everyone is going to agree.
where I work within the next year or two they will no longer be hiring Associates degree nurses. Those nurses working there now that have there associates have to sign a contract and have a certain amount of time to get there BSN. I think there should be some sort of grandfather clause. like those who have been there a certain amount of time or who are over a certain age don't have to but as far as I know there is no such thing.
There are Pros and cons to both. As far as nursing goes I dont think it matters what degree you have what matters is experience. I do have my BSN and I was lucky to go to a school that used to be a diploma program so they have waaay more clinical hours than most BSN programs in our area. I think that some graduates are better prepared when they graduate but the learning really starts when you begin your first job as an RN. I can attest...as my coworkers say I am a baby nurse and it is their job to fill me with knowledge. :)
where I work within the next year or two they will no longer be hiring Associates degree nurses. Those nurses working there now that have there associates have to sign a contract and have a certain amount of time to get there BSN. I think there should be some sort of grandfather clause. like those who have been there a certain amount of time or who are over a certain age don't have to but as far as I know there is no such thing.
There are Pros and cons to both. As far as nursing goes I dont think it matters what degree you have what matters is experience. I do have my BSN and I was lucky to go to a school that used to be a diploma program so they have waaay more clinical hours than most BSN programs in our area. I think that some graduates are better prepared when they graduate but the learning really starts when you begin your first job as an RN. I can attest...as my coworkers say I am a baby nurse and it is their job to fill me with knowledge. :)
Right, but that's an employer requirement, not a mandate by BON. There has to be a whole revamp of the system in my eyes. Right now an ADN and BSN take the same NCLEX. They are all RNs. The core program itself with the two degrees is essentially the same also. We do our clinical rotations at the hospital right along with the local BSN program. The difference in the two degrees is about a year of prereqs. There are a couple different theory classes but that is it. The clinical hour requirements are the same also. To become a LPN, they have much less hours in the clinical component. Many of our theory classes though were the same. We go more in depth in OB/Peds and Advanced MedSurg than they do.
Also, they pay is not real different. A BSN around here gets about 25 cents more an hour than a ADN. Sure an employer can require anything they want. In many areas they will require the BSN because they can. If a nursing shortage happens, that requirement will fly out the window because they will need employees.
It really depends on the economy and several other factors about our population. The reason why Social Security won't last is because our country does not have the people in the workforce to pay into it to support the baby boomers. When this program was put into place, they never could forsee our country having the population boom when it did with the baby boomer generation. There are a lot of factors to look at and so I don't see this happening anywhere in the near future.
There are states in the eastern part of the US, who are actively debating whether to require a BSN as a minimal requirement to become an RN. If this becomes law, should currently licensed RNs be "grandfathered in?"
The article you linked later in the thread is over three years old. There were a few states in the Eastern US debating this, and that debate didn't go anywhere. No one in the US is seriously talking about requiring a BSN for nursing licensure (an entirely different issue than whether many healthcare employers prefer to hire BSN-prepared nurses).
New York is actively pursuing the "BSN in 5" legislation. It would grandfather two-year and certificate prepared RNs in.
I'm on the fence. I have taken a few BSN classes in my BSN-MSN program (I'm currently taking a sabbatical of sorts) and I don't feel that the knowledge I gained in those courses has contributed significantly to my nursing practice. I suppose it all depends on what your practice focus area is.
New York is actively pursuing the "BSN in 5" legislation. It would grandfather two-year and certificate prepared RNs in.
I'm on the fence. I have taken a few BSN classes in my BSN-MSN program (I'm currently taking a sabbatical of sorts) and I don't feel that the knowledge I gained in those courses has contributed significantly to my nursing practice. I suppose it all depends on what your practice focus area is.
But for bedside nursing? Eh.
Could you please clarify what you mean by "actively pursuing"? I saw some articles and discussion about the proposed "BSN in 10" legislation several years ago, and haven't heard anything since. A Google search just now pulls up a bunch of articles about the proposal from 2011, 2012, 2013, but nothing since then and nothing that indicates any legislation has actually passed. And, if something like that actually was passed by a state legislature, I'm sure I'd have heard about it before a Google search today.
Do you mean that there are people in NY who want to see legislation passed? I'm sure that's true. But that's a long way from legislation being passed or the BON changing the requirements for licensure. And has "BSN in 10" become "BSN in 5"?
Right, but that's an employer requirement, not a mandate by BON. There has to be a whole revamp of the system in my eyes. Right now an ADN and BSN take the same NCLEX. They are all RNs. The core program itself with the two degrees is essentially the same also. We do our clinical rotations at the hospital right along with the local BSN program. The difference in the two degrees is about a year of prereqs. There are a couple different theory classes but that is it. The clinical hour requirements are the same also. To become a LPN, they have much less hours in the clinical component. Many of our theory classes though were the same. We go more in depth in OB/Peds and Advanced MedSurg than they do.
Also, they pay is not real different. A BSN around here gets about 25 cents more an hour than a ADN. Sure an employer can require anything they want. In many areas they will require the BSN because they can. If a nursing shortage happens, that requirement will fly out the window because they will need employees.
It really depends on the economy and several other factors about our population. The reason why Social Security won't last is because our country does not have the people in the workforce to pay into it to support the baby boomers. When this program was put into place, they never could forsee our country having the population boom when it did with the baby boomer generation. There are a lot of factors to look at and so I don't see this happening anywhere in the near future.
I completely agree, If they really had a shortage they would hire ASN nurses. My hospital system has also gotten rid of any LPNs working in the hospital. But that could very easily change if they really needed the staff. I don't see the ASN going anywhere anytime soon. They were also talking about making the NP minimum education a doctorate degree but neither of these changes will probably ever happen in my life time.
Specializes in Med-Surg, OB, ICU, Public Health Nursing.
I met with nurses from all over the US. The nurses particualarly in New York were most concerned about this issue. If readers don't want to believe that boards are not following this issue closely, that is their choice. However, when IOM, Robert Johnson Wood, magnet hospital folks are making statements/recommendations about the future of nursing, I tend to believe that boards are discussing and planning. I do not know specific pending legislation, however, if hospitals are hiring or declining applicants based on whether or not a nurse has a BSN, perhaps the day has already come.
llg, PhD, RN
13,469 Posts
I agree ... same old debate.
My point is always, "BSN -- required for what exactly?" Yes, I think a BSN should be the minimal required for some types of nursing jobs. But that doesn't mean a BSN should be required for all types of nursing jobs that an RN might be interested in. We need to clarify the educational outcomes of all levels of nursing education -- from CNA through PhD. Then schools can decide which level they want to offer and people can decide which level is right for them.
The root of the problem now is not that different types of education are available, it is that there is no clarity on what each level offers and what types of jobs are the best fit for each level.