Mandatory BSN?

[nursekrys]

I am currently a nursing student in an ADN program. While precepting, I have had numerous nurses tell me that it will soon be a requirement for all nurses to have their BSN. Has anyone else heard that this will become mandatory and does having a BSN really make a difference in nursing practice?

[BeachyCEN]

I have not heard of making the BSN mandatory recently; there has been an ongoing debate for sometime with many schools of thought. It seems to be one of those hot topics that brings the claws out of even the best intentioned. I have mixed reviews on BSN versus ADN. I think you will fine as an ADN grad...most likely will be strong clinically.

~KelRN24

~ Panic plays no part in the training of a nurse. ~ Elizabeth Kenny

[cougarnurse]

Like Beachy said, this topic has been around for awhile. Problem is, not everyone can afford it, OR wants to get the degree. I know that one state was trying to make it mandatory, but unsure which one.

There also was a rumour about 'doing away' with LPN's; that was 15 years ago. Still waiting on THAT rumour!

[nursekrys]

I've heard that about LPNs for a long time too! Hoping the don't 'get rid' of them...they are great to have around! I wouldn't mind getting my BSN, but I don't see how it helps in nursing practice.

[cassioo]

That has been around for years. If and when that ever happens they would have to grandfather in lots of ADN and diploma nurses in every state. If there aren't enough nurses now and instructiors for the students how would they ever have enough to get everyone a BSN.
At my hospital it really doesn't do you any good except 1 point on the clinical ladder. You also get one point for community service ie doint the AHA heart walk so do that and the March of Dimes walk you have 2 points.

[BeachyCEN]

I agree...it is a comples debate with no easy answers. I have gone back to school for my MSN as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (RN-MSN option) with a Post Masters in Nursing Education and inadvertently got my BSN as a result; I am a year from finishing my Clin Spec portion. It has not changed 1 thing...my hospital does not give any extra $ for having your BSN. As far as LPNs, I remember in MD some years ago they were closing the last LPN schools and the hospital I worked in at that time was requiring the LPNs to go back to school for their RN; they gave them so many years to complete and helped with the tuition. If I am not mistaken they had a deal with the local community college which had an LPN to RN program.

Cat, the state that was trying to make BSN the entry into practice was Nebraska and that fight was started some time ago; I am not sure where they stand currently. I do know that they have opposed being a compact state.

I personally believe until the issue of nursing school faculty can be addressed and corrected, level of entry into practice is a secondary issue. It is impractical and unrealistic that all ADN nurses are going to be willing or able to go back to school for additional degrees. I recently read something that stated the shortage was predicted to get worse before it would get better. Unfortunate to say the least, as the healthcare system continues to fail...

I think I have said enough

[SoldierNurse]

...It is impractical and unrealistic that all ADN nurses are going to be willing or able to go back to school for additional degrees...

I agree! My wife has been an RN [ADN] for almost 15 yrs and has no desire for BSN, etc.

[nursekrys]

Thanks--this is all great information and very helpful to me!

[OldSquidNewNurse]

I'm in a ADN program as well. From what I've seen and herd since I've started is that Nurses who are BSN trained and thier Universities are the ones who push for this along with putting BSN on their name tags and wanting higher pay. The thing is that their are both good and bad ADN and BSN programs and nurses who were trained there. But it comes down to that both can do the job. Also if all ADN programs were to become obsolete, then there would be an even larger shortage of nurses than what we have now since the community colleges where they are taught at could not become a university over night, nor would many choose to.

Plus, at least were I attend the program isn't two years, but atleast 3 not including the 3-5 year waiting list to get in.

My response to the BSN on name tag thing is I should be allow to have B.S. B.S. after my name tag since I have two bachelor of science degress.

[BeachyCEN]

Good points! Remember all graduate RNs take the same NCLEX no matter the degree or diploma.

~BeachyCEN

“Some people think that doctors and nurse can put scrambled eggs back into the shell” Dorothy Canfield Fisher