What's up with the proposal for req. for Bachelor for RN?

NewSN13 · Jul 9, 2011

I don't think there will be any changes to licensing requirements any time soon. However, depending on where you want to work, getting a degree from a technical school could be limiting. I've heard that St. Luke's and St. Al's won't hire graduates from the for-profit schools so that might be worth looking into if working in a hospital is what you want to do.

Another consideration is that St. Luke's has Magnet status and St. Al's is seeking it so a certain percentage of their nurses must hold BSNs.

uRabbit · Jul 9, 2011

That is not good information. Ha.

So, say I get the LPN, and want to get my RN degree to work in a hospital. What are my options then?

edit: Looking at St. Al's career openings (http://www.saintalphonsus.org/careers-openings.html), it seems that they have some positions for RN's without Bachelors. What is a BLS, though?

And we plan to move to Portland, so I will look into hospitals there.

further edit: Providence, a hostpital in Portland, lists this under their opening for 'RN 2nd Floor Float Pool': "Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing strongly preferred, required for newly hired RNs as of 2018."

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Jul 9, 2011

Any recent information on this? Where does this stand?
A couple years back, there were talks of making it so that RN's had to have a Bachelors degree in order to be able to license. This is regional - I think - for areas around Idaho. I live in Boise, and plan on going to school for nursing, at a technical school, so I need to know. Need to get through LPN first, of course.
Thanks so much!

The seriousness of the proposal is directly related to the job market's demand for nurses. Right now, a lot of places are saying "BSN only" ....because there is a crowd of experienced BSNs that need jobs.

When the economy comes around and they need bodies again, they'll be at community colleges recruiting like mad, saying, "Well, someday it will be BSN-only...."

While there are probably too many new grad nurses being churned out, the BSN programs probably can't matriculate enough as it is now.

I have an ADN and just sent in my application to an RN-BSN program. I'm sure I'll be a MUCH better nurse after writing 50 papers on WHO health disparities and community health nursing.

uRabbit · Jul 10, 2011

Nice comment, MN-Nurse! I have encountered many-a-nurse with 'better' credentials than my mother in-law, but when told they were doing something wrong by her, they kind of just give her the sideways puppy-dog face.

I am still looking forward to becoming an LPN and RN. Will most likely enroll for Spring 2012.

edit: Carrington College here in Boise offers an LPN to RN fast-track (bridge?). However, that program itself is not accredited by the NLNAC, whereas the LPN program is. The RN program is under candidate status from Fall 2010 to Fall 2012. Does that mean they will be granted accreditation in Fall 2012?

NewSN13 · Jul 11, 2011

Here's the info on NLNAC candidacy:

"Candidacy status does not guarantee that a program will achieve full accreditation, which is granted by the Commission after a full accreditation review including a visit by a team of trained site visitors."

http://www.nlnac.org/About%20NLNAC/candidacy.htm

Is there a reason that you want to go the LPN to RN route? Have you considered getting your ADN through CWI or even TVCC? Or going straight to a BSN program at either BSU or NNU? Or how about getting an ADN at one of the community colleges and doing BSU's online ADN to BSN bridge? BSU even has a fast track option for LPNs (I believe they get to skip the first semester of the 5 semester nursing sequence).

I only ask because going through a currently non-accredited program seems to be a big, expensive risk if your goal is to eventually work in a hospital. If the numbers I've heard are correct about the cost of some of the for-profits here, my BSN education (as a second bachelor's student) is comparable, if not cheaper, than the LPN programs.

uRabbit · Jul 12, 2011

Carrington's LPN program is accredited. RN program is not. Yet.

CWI and BSU would be far longer, and the schedule would not do. Also, I would have to commute to CWI.

At Carrington, the schedule would be rough (9a-5p), but it would do. 9a to 5p is my current schedule for work, but there are two night shifts that I could 'choose' from, if there are any availabilities at work, that are 5p to 9a.

I am not set on where to go, though, as there seem to be no options that really fit for me. I am becoming quite discouraged!

NewSN13 · Jul 12, 2011

Don't get discouraged!

I'm not sure about online classes at CWI but BSU has a ton. I already have a BA so that cut down on the number of classes I needed but I took psych 101, growth and development, nutrition and pathophysiology online. A lot of the other classes are offered in the evenings. I think it would be possible to take full semesters of pre-reqs online and in the evening and still work 9-5, if that's what you want/need.

With the actual nursing courses, there is much less flexibility but you'll find that in any program. My earliest days will start at 6 am. Some days I'm done by noon and my latest days I'm done at 3:30 pm. And I don't have class on Friday. The schedule will vary with each semester but it's not too bad.

I'm only giving BSU as an example because it's what I know but I bet if you dig around, you can find an option that works best for you!

uRabbit · Jul 12, 2011

I noticed that Carrington also has a full two-year ASN (for RN) programme. It is not accredited yet. But their candidacy for the programme ends in Fall 2012, so I am hoping they get it then. I still have things to take care of before enrolling, but here's what I'm thinking:

A two-year ASN at Carrington. If it does not get accreditation, then at least I will still be working as an RN in two years instead of five. That's three more years of income, experience, and time with the family. I am thinking the experience will outweigh the lack of a BSN?

I looked at some more openings in Portland. A lot do not require a BSN, though many prefer it. However, I am thinking experience (and certifications) are more important.

How does that sound?

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

The seriousness of the proposal is directly related to the job market's demand for nurses. Right now, a lot of places are saying "BSN only" ....because there is a crowd of experienced BSNs that need jobs.
When the economy comes around and they need bodies again, they'll be at community colleges recruiting like mad, saying, "Well, someday it will be BSN-only...."
While there are probably too many new grad nurses being churned out, the BSN programs probably can't matriculate enough as it is now.
I have an ADN and just sent in my application to an RN-BSN program. I'm sure I'll be a MUCH better nurse after writing 50 papers on WHO health disparities and community health nursing.

Really:rolleyes: there is absolutely no difference between an associate's degree and bachelor's degree except writing "50" papers..You know it is so irritating that people are so defensive of themselves that they have to demean and devalue getting a higher education. Whether I was working on my ADN or BSN I would always advocate for our profession and think that it would be great for our profession to have growth and change. It can only help to require our profession have higher standards and I don't for a minute feel that is insulting anyone.

Anyhow time for me to get back to writing my 43rd paper......

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2011

Really:rolleyes: there is absolutely no difference between an associate's degree and bachelor's degree except writing "50" papers..You know it is so irritating that people are so defensive of themselves that they have to demean and devalue getting a higher education. Whether I was working on my ADN or BSN I would always advocate for our profession and think that it would be great for our profession to have growth and change. It can only help to require our profession have higher standards and I don't for a minute feel that is insulting anyone.
Anyhow time for me to get back to writing my 43rd paper......

The problem is that when hospitals or internship programs exclude or bar ADN graduates from their programs, this is not "advocating for the profession" at all. This is simply barring licensed people from getting employment.

I'm all for growth, change, and education (as I said, I am getting a BSN, which will be my second bachelor's), but a change like this should not be done in the ways being proposed.

If you want to change the rules so that ADN grads may not sit for the NCLEX, knock yourself out. ADN schools will close that very day and the discussion will be over. But to just freeze out legitimate RNs from employment is stupid. Further, employers are not doing it to "further the profession" or "encourage education." Please. They are doing it because of the current economy. When the economy changes, so will their idiotic policies.

I've worked with nurses who completed RN-BSN programs. They are not better people or nurses for doing so and they are the first ones to tell you that it was a bunch of busy work.

pdxmomazon · Jul 14, 2011

The seriousness of the proposal is directly related to the job market's demand for nurses. Right now, a lot of places are saying "BSN only" ....because there is a crowd of experienced BSNs that need jobs.

I'm in my first term of an accelerated BSN program and according to my profs it's also because there is a push in nursing to get more nurses with masters and doctorates. Having more nurses with bachelors+ elevates the entire field. More respect, better pay etc.

I two friends who finished their ADNs two years ago and one of them is going to be starting her bridge to bachelors program this year. It seems like it'd make you more employable, for sure.