BSN as Entry Level into Practice

Carrie Leighann Guntherberg, RN

ECPI University

Objectives

• Current entry level

• Why BSN?

• Change

Current Entry Level

• Diploma Degree• Associated Degree• BSN

• Nursing is one of the few fields in healthcare where a minimum level into practice is not established

• Nurses are the least educated among all major health care professionals

Why BSN?

• Institute of Medicine; Future of Nursing

• Establishes a minimum for entry level into

practice

• Promotes nursing as a profession

• Promotes leadership

• Education includes focus on research and

evidence-based practices

Why BSN?

• Statistics show BSN prepared nurses

– Decrease the mortality and failure to save rates (ANA, 2014)

Why BSN

• Better prepares RNs to collaborate on multidisciplinary teams (IOM, 2011)

• Stronger sense of belonging

• Increased communication skills

• Increased sense of awareness for healthcare systems and policy (IOM, 2011)

• Stronger sense of promoting nursing as a profession

Institute of Medicine

• The Future of Nursing

– Established goals for nursing and nursing education

– Goals to be met by 2020

• 80% of RNs with BSN

• Change educational programs

• Establish minimum entry into practice

BSN Education Focus

• Education focus

– Nursing theory

– Leadership/Management Level

– Interdisciplinary team approach

– Research

– Issues and trends in nursing

BSN vs Associate and Diploma

• BSN = bedside nursing, leadership, critical thinking, management level

• Associate = bedside nursing, critical thinking and minimum leadership

• Diploma = excellent bedside nursing

Change• IOM- nursing needs to

restructure educational programs– 80% RNs with BSN

– Current education does not meet the needs of society

– Move away from task-based and toward decision-based, applying critical thinking

Implementing Change

• National Scale– Legislature needs to be passed

– Support local and state programs (state boards of nursing)• Include timeline (start and end dates)

• Grandfathering of seasoned nurses– Example, expect to retire in 3 years = will not be required to meet

the educational change, BUT will not be eligible for renewal of licensure

• Education assistance– Compliance from facilities, professional organizations

Resources

• AACN (2014). Nursing faculty shortage fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/FacultyShortageFS.pdf

• American Nurses Association (2014). Higher number of nurses with baccalaureate degrees: Linked to lower rates of mortality. Nursingworld.org. Retrieved from http://nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ThePracticeofProfessionalNursing/Improving-Your-Practice/One-Strong-Voice-Clinically-Speaking/Higher-Number-of-Nurses-with-Baccalaureate-Degrees-Linked-to-Lower-Rates-of-Mortality.html

• BattiÉ, R. N. (2013). Perioperative nursing and education: What the IOM future of nursing report tells us. AORN Journal, 98(3), 249-259. doi:10.1016/j.aorn.2013.07.004

• FutureofNursing (2014). Campaign for nursing: Campaign progress. Retrieved from campaignforaction.org/dashboard

• HRSA (2013). The u.s. nursing workforce: Trends supply and education. Retrieved from http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/reports/nursingworkforce/nursingworkforcefullreport.pdf

• Schroeder, R. T. (2013). AORN efforts to support the IOM report on the future of nursing. AORN Journal, 98(3), 209-213. doi:10.1016/j.aorn.2013.07.010

• Starr, S., & Edwards, L. (2010). Why should I get a BSN?. Tar Heel Nurse, 72(3), 10-12. Retrieved from https://libproxy.ecpi.edu:2323/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=25&sid=245eca46-6e76-4597-8626-e75a81ac9763%40sessionmgr198&hid=126