Ruth
Is it true that the nursing career is heading towards more of a Bachelors degree?
I am currently enrolled in high school and community college. I am taking community college course in order to get a jumpstart in my career as a Registered Nurse; however, I have heard than nurse should have a bachelors degree to at least be considered for a job. On the other hand, I am willing to render some money to a four year degree after community college. In other words, is this career, as Registered Nurse, "requiring" getting a Bachelors degree? #nursing #registered-nurses #pediatric-nursing #nursing-schools
3 answers
Kimberly Reske Victory
Kimberly’s Answer
You have made a great choice by choosing nursing! The truth of the matter is that YES - most places are requiring that all nurses work towards their bachelors degree. Like you, I started off at community college to save some money. After my initial two years, I transferred to a university to finish my BSN. There are many loans and grants that exist to help you pay for college, which can help with the financial burden of a university. To get back to your question, some hospitals will still hire nurses who graduated from a community nursing program, but depending on where you live you might have to sign a contract that you will complete your bachelors degree in a certain amount of time. You can go to the websites of some local hospitals where you live and look into their nursing programs. It should say what degree-level nursing that they hire. Best of luck to you!
Kerrie Chambers, MSN, RN, CNOR, CNS-CP, CLNC
Kerrie’s Answer
So when a nurse, a doctor, and a physical therapist get together to discuss a patient's care plan, there is a lack of education and professionalism to a degree in the nurses part if the same level of education for entry into practice is not required. As associate's degree nurse (LVN/LPN) does not have the same educational components taught to him/her as a BSN degree nurse has, including leadership and other courses. There is some argument amongst the 2-and 4-year degree nurses about this, but in practice there is the evidence that a 2-year degree nurse is not able to sit at a table with Master's or Doctorate prepared professionals and have the same education and professionalism.
With this in mind the most nursing organizations have moved to adopt the IOM report that resurged and apply it to the Acute Care hospitals. Most hospitals have moved ADN prepared nurses out of the acute care realm and either offered them a timeline to completed their BSN by 2020, or to find them a placement in a different part of the organization that was not direct patient care. The goal is to have all bedside nurses have a BSN, so when organizations are hiring now, then ask that the person have their BSN or ask when it will be completed. A lot of ADN's most to Ambulatory Care centers or nursing homes.
In the end, the IOM report was never about the money, it was about the level of practice of nursing at the bedside and trying to standardized that across the U.S. and the entry level for all nurses to be a BSN. As a MSN, RN for the past 25 years I think it is a great achievement for nursing and I hope that all nurses can see it as a positive change for the future of nursing and the care of our patients.
Desiree Cherry
Desiree’s Answer
Great career choice! I’m finding that the requirement of a BSN depends on which state, city and/or facility you want to work at. I am currently working towards my BSN, not because I’m required to have it, but because It’s a goal I set for myself back when I was in high school many moons ago (in the early 90s).
In speaking with co-workers who have their BSN, the only real benefit is a slight raise in pay. Slight meaning only a few more dollars an hour nothing huge. I’m perfectly ok with that. For me nursing has never been about the money, it’s a passion I’ve had since I was a child. It’s about helping people feel better. It’s about saving a life or sometimes being the shoulder for family members to cry on. I chose nursing because I wanted to make a difference in someone’s life, but often times it’s my patients making a difference in mine.
Sorry, I kind of got off topic there. Anyway, I agree with Kimberly about researching some of your local facilities to find out what they are looking for and if they require you to have or be working on obtaining your BSN. You can also try job search websites and your states board of nursing website to see if they have published any articles about what you’re asking.
I wish you the best of luck and congratulate you in choosing an amazing career path!
Desiree recommends the following next steps:
My ex-wife went back to school to get her BSN, She has a BA in another field, and wanted to transition. I agree w/Kimberly that the pay isn't much more, but a Bachelors isn't simply about pay. As you progress in your career it demonstrates you committed to learning more about the world around you outside of nursing. What I mean is: I am in IT. In IT its about the tech and soft skills, and you don't necessarily need a BA/BS for this. However, my career goals changed and I have moved into more senior roles. My BS has helped facilitate that.
Think long term v. simply getting the job now. There are numerous options out there to help pay from grants to loans and even hospitals will assist depending on their need.
Brandon DeLallo, CSM, PMI-ACP, CCMP