If you are considering an education in nursing, congratulations! You’ve picked a great occupation for the years ahead. The U.S. government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists registered nurse (RN) as a top growth occupation, estimating an increase of 16% in available jobs in the 10 years between 2014 and 2024.
Part of that growth is fueled by retirements of more and more nurses from the Baby Boomer generation. The aging population is also a reason that more nursing jobs are opening up. So it looks like a favorable future for registered nurses (RNs) in the next few years.
However, there is a trend that might make you take a second look at your plans to stop your nursing education at the RN level. This push from comes from nursing organizations, industry sources and more recently governments. It’s all about nursing education and the need to get 80% of nurses a bachelor’s degree in nursing or BSN.
Do nurses need a BSN? Many are saying they do. Way back in 2010, the Institute of Medicine made a strong recommendation that 80% of nurses in the workforce get a BSN by the year 2020. At the time of the report, only 50% had a BSN. Today, it’s estimated that 55-60% of nurses have the bachelor’s degree. As you can see that’s a lot of BSNs to make up.
Just a little while ago, the state of New York passed the “BSN in 10” law. It now requires that all nurses who receive their initial RN license get a BSN within 10 years or their license will be suspended. It’s expected that other states will follow suit in an attempt to increase the percentage of BSN nurses. Fortunately for current RNs licensed in New York and current nursing students, the law will grandfather them. But that doesn’t help you who have not started your training or licensing in New York.
So, you will probably need to get your BSN. What’s the best way to get it at the best price and quality?
The Academic Progression in Nursing Programs (APIN) cited a shared curriculum model of simultaneous work at a community college and in a university as a way nurses can get the training and education needed. This model for nursing education tackles the problems of time and cost.
Geneva College has partnered with the County Community of Beaver County to offer a shared curriculum nursing program that enables a student to earn both an associate’s in nursing degree (ADN) and a BSN at a cost that is less than traditional bachelor’s degree at the university. Students are also eligible for financial assistance available to any other student at the colleges. The four-year program enables a nursing student to sit for the NCLEX and to meet any need of future positions requiring the BSN degree.
If you’d like to learn more about Geneva’s nursing program, contact Geneva College Admissions at 800.847.8255 or admissions@geneva.edu.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Mar 7, 2018
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