Some state initiatives were proposed that would compel registered nurses to obtain a BSN degree within 10 years in order to keep working as a nurse. Here’s what you should know!

Demand for trained professionals with a bachelor’s degree in nursing is continuing to grow. In the U.S., states like New York and New Jersey have considered adopting so-called BSN in 10 programs, which would require registered nurses to obtain a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree within 10 years in order to keep working as a nurse.

Although the U.S. as a whole doesn’t currently require a four-year BSN degree to practice nursing, global nursing education standards are changing. A report by the Institute of Medicine recommends that 80 percent of the nursing workforce be prepared at the baccalaureate level by 2020 to ensure that Americans continue to have access to high-quality healthcare. Connecticut is currently advancing towards having an 80% BSN workforce by the year 2020.

And businesses have a strong preference for hiring new nurses who graduated from a BSN program, with 78% of healthcare employers expressing a preference for hiring BSN program graduates, according to a 2013 report by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Several organizations exclusively hire nurses with a BSN degree, including the U.S. Public Health Service and the Veterans Administration, as well as the Army, Navy, and Air Force. And registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing are also eligible to become leaders in their fields.

Pursuing the BSN in 10 Initiative

Supporters of the BSN in 10 movement say that requiring advanced education helps improve patient care, and allows nursing professionals to move on to jobs in administration and other in-demand specialties. And several studies have shown that the higher a nurse’s level of education, the better the outcomes for their patients. A 21-year study by the Journal of Nursing Administration found that patients cared for by nurses who had earned a BSN experienced significantly reduced inpatient stays, less complications, and higher survival rates. Nurses with BSNs also reported less difficulty managing complex patients and incorporating critical thinking into their daily practices.

A report published by Dr. Linda Aiken in a 2011 Journal of the American Medical Association claimed that for every 10 percent increase in the number of nurses that earn a bachelor’s degree, the number of surgical deaths decreases by 5 percent.

The Flexibility to Pursue an RN-to-BSN Program

Goodwin College has designed our RN-to-BSN program around our students’ busy lifestyles. The RN-to-BSN curriculum can be completed part time in 16 months or uniquely designed to meet a student’s specific needs. Graduates are prepared to practice in a variety of areas with knowledge and skills that are transferable to multiple settings. And the program can be taken online or in a hybrid format.

And with Goodwin’s helpful financial aid services, paying for school is easier than you might expect! Goodwin graduates are eligible for scholarship funds of up to $17,000, and all student fees are waived.

Students who have passed the National Council Licensure Exam and are licensed as RNs can continue to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing today!

Interested in learning more about Goodwin College? Learn more today, or check out all of our nursing programs to see why we’re a leader in healthcare education in CT! You can also interact with us on Facebook or Twitter!