What Is The Deal With All The Highly Educated & Professionals Becoming RNs?

[PMFB-RN]

So I pretty much always have nursing students with me. I have senior BSN students who are doing a critical care class (six 12 hours shifts), ADN students from 2 different programs doing their preceptorships (eight 12 hour shifts), ABSN students doing clinical (six 12 hour shifts), and direct entry MSN students who shadow me for a shift. In addition I come into contact with a variety of other students who are being taught by my RN co-workers. My hospital also has a "student nurse technician" program where they hire nursing students to do CNA type work. So I regularly talk to 5-10 nursing students a week and nearly always have a student with me each shift.

What I am so shocked about is the level of education of these students who are in nursing school. I can't even remember the last time I had a ADN student who didn't already have a bachelors degree with me. Of course the MSN and ABSN students already have bachelors degrees, but what is surprising to me is that so many are already professionals in others areas. I had a student who already has a bachelors and masters in architecture and worked for a well known local firm, I have had lawyers, police officers, scads of teachers, and a few engineers among others. Even a guy who is an MD in Russia.

Why do all of these people want to be nurses? Have any of you experienced this?

Back when I was in nursing school there were plenty of 2nd career types in my class but they tended to be factory workers, truck drivers, farmers, military vets who were moving up to become RNs. A few had bachelors degrees but not like now.

I actually find it frightening and a little sad. Frightening cause I suspect this is a symptom of a very bad economy and terrible job market. Sad cause I know so many of the will struggle to find work after making huge sacrifices to get through nursing school.

Some of them are SHOCKED when I tell them it's a tough job market out there for RNs and they will have to work hard and keep on their toes to find any job. Some simply refuse to believe me (nearly all the direct entry MSN students, ironic since they will struggle in our local market more than the others). Others already have this figured out and are already bitter about it.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I haven't read all 22 pages of this. I think the original point, the transition of more highly educated professionals into Nursing, is good for Nursing. I'm pleased to see the trend and I hope it continues. In the long run I think it will help coax Nursing, culturally speaking, into the white collar world. Look at it from the perspective of who socializes with whom outside of the workplace. Nursing does not socialize with providers very often and I think since a lot of power is derived from non-workplace relationships, Nursing has suffered for that. As the average nurse becomes more educated, with backgrounds such as described in the beginnings of this thread, those individuals are more likely to find themselves in social situations with administrators, their physician colleagues, persons on the board of directors, philanthropists in the community, etc. As those relationships are strenghtened, Nursing will gradually gain more parity within the group. It presents interesting opportunities.

*** Maybe. I am more skeptical. I also am not seeing the potential benefits of socializing with physicians and administrators. If you don't please expand on this. If you are right what would be the cost? In my view the cost would be a lack of diversity that the current education paths bring to nursing.

[VANurse2010]

Why should nursing go to BSN-only, increasing the costs to nurses, hospitals, and health care consumers so that nurses get invited to cocktail parties with physicians? Seems a tad extreme to me.

Now, not to attribute anything to anyone in particular, but often the same people who advocate BSN only are the first to try to eliminate PCTs and CNAs from the health care setting. In other words, more education and "professionalism" to shovel more poop. I have no problem with cleaning up poo, but I do think there's a disconnect there.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Why should nursing go to BSN-only increasing the costs to nurses, hospitals, and health care consumers so that nurses get invited to cocktail parties with physicians? .[/quote']

There are many reasons to advocate for a BSN-entry, if you can see any of them then you have blinders on. There are a myriad benefits of BSN entry. There are also some concerns, most notably cost and diversity.

I suspect BlueDevil was speaking to the role of education in ensuring the nursing as a profession has the educational background to maintain (or further) their spot at the table in healthcare.

Do the pros outweigh the cons? In my option they do, but I can see the valid argument.

[VANurse2010]

I understand the benefits perfectly well - I just don't agree with you about BSN-exclusive entry, particularly with respect to the bedside.

[txnurstud, CNA]

I agree with u 100%!!!

I have a very good government job that I will be giving up for nursing school. Not everything is about money. If it were, I would stay at my desk job and make what RN's already make in pay. But, I do not like my job. It's not what I desire to do, I desire to be a nurse, it's not about the money.

Totally Agree with both of you!!! I'm with u both 100%

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I suspect BlueDevil was speaking to the role of education in ensuring the nursing as a profession has the educational background to maintain (or further) their spot at the table in healthcare.

*** In my view we would need to dramatically change the nature of the BSN education in order to equip nurses to be effective in their spot at the table.

Leaving aside the question of weather a BSN should be required for entry to RN practice, does the BSN education adequately prepare nurses for a roll beyond patient care? In my opinion it doesn't. If one disagrees with me about the BSN education as it is now, it still isn't an argument for BSN as entry, though it may be a good argument for requiring a BSN. of all nurses. For example the way that the public community colleges in my state have partnered with the state universities to provide a streamlined path from non-nurse, to ADN RN to BSN, all in 4 years.

I also feel there is a little bit of moving the goal post going on here among those who advocate for BSN as entry to practice. The reasons offered for BSN as the only entry point to RN practice seem to shift and change. This is the first I am hearing this particular argument as stated by BlueDevil.

Hard for me to shake the feeling that the desire for BSN as entry to practice is based mainly on resentment, jealousy, employers desire for the modern version of indentured service , and a little bit anti male.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

1. In my view we would need to dramatically change the nature of the BSN education in order to equip nurses to be effective in their spot at the table.

2. Leaving aside the question of weather a BSN should be required for entry to RN practice, does the BSN education adequately prepare nurses for a roll beyond patient care? In my opinion it doesn't.

3. If one disagrees with me about the BSN education as it is now, it still isn't an argument for BSN as entry, though it may be a good argument for requiring a BSN. of all nurses. For example the way that the public community colleges in my state have partnered with the state universities to provide a streamlined path from non-nurse, to ADN RN to BSN, all in 4 years.

4. Hard for me to shake the feeling that the desire for BSN as entry to practice is based mainly on resentment, jealousy, employers desire for the modern version of indentured service , and a little bit anti male.

1. Nursing education does need a dramatic change, I will agree with you in that point.

2. You have provided many examples from your personal/professional experience to back your position. In aggravate, the data tells a different story. As "bad" as nursing education may be patient outcomes are still higher with advancing levels of education.

3.I have no problem with the CC-based nursing classes then completion of the bachelor-level work at a college/university. I do have a slight issue with allowing individuals to complete the first part and then begin working while they finish the bachelor-level work.

4. I don't have a BSN, I don't work for a hospital system, and I am male. I do work part time for a local college. None of my thoughts are rooted in jealousy or resentment. Several of my best friends are/were ADN nurses and most will admit that nursing is far more complex now then it was when they went to school and extra education is important.

[mrnightinggale]

I am one of the people the original poster warned you about. I am 46 and I start a BSN program on the first of July. It took me a long time to decide to go into nursing but there were many factors combining to encourage me to make the move. A little background on me, then my decision points. BA Political Science, Masters of Aeronautical Science, Masters of Defense Decision Making and Planning (focusing on Middle Eastern Studies and Counter-Terrorism). I just wrapped up a successful 22 year career as an Air Force officer and aviator.

Decision Points:

1) When I retired from the Air Force, I was having a great time, supporting NASA. With government cutbacks, I was forced to retire 6 years earlier than I normally would have had to for a person of my rank.

2) I applied for over 22 aviation-related jobs with no solid leads, even with references from astronauts and airline pilot friends

3) A medical condition forced me to stop flying

4) Many of the jobs I probably could have done and been well-compensated for are in DC. My wife and I refused to battle DC traffic and ridiculous housing prices.

5) I've always been interested in the health sciences.

6) Even though I probably don't have to work with my government pension, I am a motivated person and love to learn

7) My wife is an RN-BSN. She has always been able to find work, with all of our moves around the country.

8) We do charity work in Central America with a group of friends that include doing clinics for poor people. I'd like to add a skill set to that.

9) I am a "people person" and am motivated to help others.

10) Rumor has it that nursing is a growth industry until 2020.

11) Last but not least, when I turn 60ish, if I want to do agency nursing 3-6 months a year and travel, ski, golf, go sailing the rest of the year, what's not to like?

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I am one of the people the original poster warned you about. I am 46 and I start a BSN program on the first of July. It took me a long time to decide to go into nursing but there were many factors combining to encourage me to make the move. A little background on me, then my decision points. BA Political Science, Masters of Aeronautical Science, Masters of Defense Decision Making and Planning (focusing on Middle Eastern Studies and Counter-Terrorism). I just wrapped up a successful 22 year career as an Air Force officer and aviator

*** The OP was a comment about the current state of the economy and society and NOT a warning about any one group of people.

FWIW I am absolutely THIRLLED to see people with your background coming into nursing. Welcome!

[mrnightinggale]

It was just a play on words, "I'm the man your mother warned you about".

[PMFB-RN, RN]

It was just a play on words, "I'm the man your mother warned you about".

*** I get you. I spend 5 years in airborne infantry as a medic. Made E-6 in 3 years. Was medically retired as a result of wounds (was in the wrong place at the wrong time while also forgetting to duck) received in combat.

I love professional military people entering nursing and this the field only benefits for these kind of people coming into it IMO.

I see a lot of enlisted vets coming in through the ADN programs and officers through the ABSN programs. I am always happy to precept vets.

[mrnightinggale]

Thanks for your service/sacrifice. I'm glad you are able to work!