The 80% Work force

[RunnerD1987]

Hi, I apologize if this has been posted and not to cause fear mongering. Was the first time I heard of the Federal Government intuitive for an 80% workforce. I went to college received my bachelor's degree had no direction in life. After five year's working odd job's in different hospitals decide nursing is the direction for me. I am hoping to finish up before the 80% kicks in. Goal is to go for my associate's then my masters degree in nursing.

However, we have 20 hospitals in our state. Only seven of them don't require you to have your BSN. However, that number will dwindle down to six. Heard hospital's are not hiring anyone without a BSN and encouraging nurse's to get their BSN before/by 2020. The LPN program has kind of had some fresh aired breathed back into, but heard LPNs are being phased out as well. A rehab in my state just let go of any LPNs not enrolled in a nursing program. The other rumor I heard was they will continue to keep the Associates of Nursing, but it's role will replace the LPN. In addition, will not be hired in acute care.

I heard that two programs are being phased out in our state being converted to bachelor programs.

Wondering what your feedback is on this kind of scary stuff. I mean I think it thins staffing down the road in medical settings. Also if they go the route of bachelor programs do hope they make it as flexible as they do with associate's. Evening nursing program's rock! Hopefully, I can be at a Bachelor's level in five years.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

In 2010 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) placed a suggestion to boost the proportion of RNs educated at the BSN degree level to 80 percent by 2020. It is just a suggestion. It is not a federal law or official initiative. At this time there are not enough BSNs in the workforce to make this suggestion a reality by 2020.

Advancing toward an 80% BSN workforce by 2020 - American Nurse Today

Wondering what your feedback is on this kind of scary stuff.

It is not scary to me. You've gotta adapt or die. I started off as an LVN in 2006, earned my ASN degree and RN licensure in 2010, and earned my BSN a few weeks ago. I see the writing on the wall, so I am adapting.

In addition, the acute care hospital is not the only workplace in town. Acute care hospital employment will continue to sharply decline as more care is shifted to post-acute settings. The booming areas for LPNs and ADNs are home health, hospice, jails, prison infirmaries, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, private duty, group homes for the developmentally disabled, and other workplace settings outside the hospital.

Again, the moral of the story is adapt or die. People who see the writing on the wall are not caught blindsided if they had ample warnings and time to attain the credentials that employers are seeking.

Good luck to you.