Resolution Seeking Legislation To Require A 10-year BSN reintroduced in NJ

I understand the proposition but I disagree with it since that will cause a shortage of even more nurses that are in their late 40's and 50's that can not afford to go back to an RN_BSN program. I did go back and I had to pay out of pocket for mine, it cost over $18,000. I am paying my college loans and my children's college loans and schools. This puts the "largest age group of nurses the 40-50 yr. olds in a difficult position." School programs will need to be restructured. There is already a shortage of Nursing Instructors in NJ. This is why it is so difficult to get in to nursing programs in the state. Looks good on paper, elevate the profession, I see trouble brewing if this passes.

I am not from NJ, just popped in to check on something else and saw this. Hog Wash! I have been an ADN-RN for 22 years...putting me in the 40-50 yr old age bracket you speak of. I passed the same exact NCLEX exam (back when it was on paper) that the BSN's took, and I passed with a very high score on my first attempt out scoring most of the BSN's (and ADN's too) I am positive. How dare this type of legislation be allowed! Everyone including New Jersey begged for the ADN programs to excellorate the number of nurses needed to fill the needs and provide patient care in the healthcare communities nationwide. Now we are going to have States be allowed to up and say all these years later...hmmmm Well we changed our minds. Again, Hog Wash! I also understand North and/or South Dakota is trying to so the same thing. Well, I have no intention of ever going back to school and my opinion is this, if ALL the States in the United States agree and wish to abolish the ADN programs, then so be it. But all those ADN nurses regardless of age or years of practice that successfully graduated and passed the same exact NCLEX exam as the BSN's should be "grandfather claused" and be given the title of BSN. They have done this in the past with other healthcare professions...Respiratory Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistants so don't tell me they could not do it with nurses too. However, I think the best thing to do is leave things the way they are. Years ago everyone begged for it...you got what you asked for and changing your mind 30+ years later is just a little late.

Well, I have no intention of ever going back to school and my opinion is this, if ALL the States in the United States agree and wish to abolish the ADN programs, then so be it.

Wow Don't they even require you to take "continuing" education courses?

You're NEVER Ever ever ever ever going back.. we get it...

Well then go work for a hospice or home health care facility... You just won't be permitted to work in a hospital in New Jersey... I'm sure you can find plenty of states in the middle of nowhere to hire you... so why come on here and cry bloody murder?

The part that cracks me up way more than this requirement is the one where it's made nearly impossible to get the simplest information from some "agencies" ...

Same thing will happen as happened in NY: some legislator will introduce it as just another bill that gets tabled without debate.

Such a bill will cater to the nursing organizations that pushed for it. Ultimately though, it will go nowhere. Let such a bill actually clear a committee and make it to a calander for floor debate and THEN it will be news. Until then, it's only propaganda.

In this case, it's only a non-congressional organization passing a resolution on what it thinks the Statehouse should do. You know, you can really truly find organizations of all political opinions that do the same stuff, daily. Until it actually has enough political will to merit actual attn, well, until then, it's just a publicity stunt.

And btw, this particular publicity stunt dates back over a year, to Mar of 2006. Old publicity stunt that so far has fallen on deaf congressional ears. As per usual. NOBODY is going to follow N. Dakota's repealed mistake (or anything like it) anytime soon.

~faith,

Timothy.

Amen!!

More education for nurses is a good thing! This proposal will eventually be the entry level into the nursing profession. Most nurse I know want to learn more and more about patient care and nursing, be it through formal education or on the job training. Several posters in many different forms have the wrong interpertaion of what "grandfathering" in a profession involves. Stated simpley, it means that you maintain the title/licensure you have earned and are NOT required to obtain additional eduacation-or-testing. The proposal was originally introduced in the 1970's as the "1985" proposal that stated anyone entering the nursing profession in the year 1985 must earn a BSN within 10 years of graduation. Old timers, like myself, would be "grandfathered" in as an RN, which I earned and passed the NCLEX. My title would never be taken from me, and further educational requirements do not apply. If I were starting school tomorrow, and the proposal were in effect than I would be bound to the new regulations set forth by legislature and the NJ Board of Nursing. It is hard to go back to school! BUT where there is a will there is a way. I did it 20 years ago, working 2 part-time jobs and raising a family. My children saw my struggle and learned a valuable lesson from my strife. They learned that no matter the cost, an eduaction pays you back 10 fold and opens your minds to opportunity. Try to look at this resolution as the opportunity to improve yourself, add to your education and thought process. Self satisfaction and professional enhancement will abound.

More education for nurses is a good thing! This proposal will eventually be the entry level into the nursing profession. Most nurse I know want to learn more and more about patient care and nursing, be it through formal education or on the job training. Several posters in many different forms have the wrong interpertaion of what "grandfathering" in a profession involves. Stated simpley, it means that you maintain the title/licensure you have earned and are NOT required to obtain additional eduacation-or-testing. The proposal was originally introduced in the 1970's as the "1985" proposal that stated anyone entering the nursing profession in the year 1985 must earn a BSN within 10 years of graduation. Old timers, like myself, would be "grandfathered" in as an RN, which I earned and passed the NCLEX. My title would never be taken from me, and further educational requirements do not apply. If I were starting school tomorrow, and the proposal were in effect than I would be bound to the new regulations set forth by legislature and the NJ Board of Nursing. It is hard to go back to school! BUT where there is a will there is a way. I did it 20 years ago, working 2 part-time jobs and raising a family. My children saw my struggle and learned a valuable lesson from my strife. They learned that no matter the cost, an eduaction pays you back 10 fold and opens your minds to opportunity. Try to look at this resolution as the opportunity to improve yourself, add to your education and thought process. Self satisfaction and professional enhancement will abound.

This idea started in 1965. 43 yrs later, and we are no closer to minimum entry.

Nobody misunderstands what a 'grandfather' clause is - but many doubt its effectiveness.

Suppose BSN became the standard, with a grandfather. With every passing year, there would be fewer and fewer ADNs and Diplomas that hold the title, RN. At what point can the BSNs, that now represent 60%, 65%, 70%, 75% of RNs end the grandfather and deny status to ADNs?

Here's the thing. The 1965 call by the ANA to move to BSN included an insult: that ADNs were mere 'technical' nurses, as opposed to professional ones. Until the ANA retracts that insult, this issue is a dead issue.

There will be no minimum 'entry to practice' until all stakeholders are brought to the table. We'll "grandfather" your concerns is not the same as taking them into account.

I'm not saying that BSN isn't a good idea. I'm saying that it will never occur on the back of an insult and a promise of a grandfather. The 2 contradict each other. So long as the insult stands, why should I believe the grandfather clause?

There you go. 43 yrs from NOW, we will STILL be debating entry to practice UNLESS all parties are brought to the table and included.

And no State legislature is going out on a limb on BSN standard again. ND was a disaster. It proved that no State can be an island in this matter. If nursing wants BSN, we'll have to do it ourselves. That COULD happen, but again, not until we decide, as a group, to bring all stakeholders to the table and, for starters, retract the ANA insult.

~faith,

Timothy.

Guess what useless bill makers - you will LOSE more RN's, I don't have my BSN yet and can't see the point in spending tons of money at this point in getting one. I plan on retiring from Nursing before I am 45, I am 42 now! Tired of all the games, RN, ADN nonsense. The general public sees all of us as "skilled workers:, nothing else! I guess a degree would come in handy so I could land a cush job with an office and some high heels to clickity clack on the floor while the serf RN's do all the work!! All of us wrote the SAME NCLEX didn't we??

Just saw this thread. Had to click and read. I clicked on NRSKarens's link to the NJ State Nursing Association site and found this. as one of the FAQ of the BSN in 10 adoption.

the question is: So then, what is the added value of a BSN?