Although nurses play an undeniably critical role in the orchestration and delivery of patient care, the level of college preparedness nurses have and the ensuing effects on patient safety are under increasing scrutiny.
Mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and positive outcomes in the hospital are directly related to the kind of degree a nurse holds, according to research from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Shortened programs have become the working answer to the pressures of nursing.
But when quality of patient care hinges on a baccalaureate-trained nurse (which is only part of the puzzle), it is important to note that 50 percent of nurses in the work force hold an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) — and that these nurses are considered “under-educated.”
Adding to the difficulties, nursing shortages wax and wane over the years. One third of our current nursing work force is over age 50 and expected to retire in 10 years, Peter Buerhaus, a health care economist and professor at the MSU College of Nursing in Montana, told the Billings Gazette.
How, then, do we balance need versus knowledge — efficiently replacing experienced nurses with highly educated new graduates as baby boomers overwhelm the health care system?
The National Institute of Nursing, based in Bethesda, Maryland, weighed in on the topic with its “Future of Nursing” report in 2010. It offered new recommendations to increase “the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020.”
With this “behind the scenes” push for nurses to have their bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN) — programs adapted their curriculum to drive nurses through them faster.
In adopting the guidelines, Montana began offering accelerated nursing programs that will have nurses graduating in less time (up to 25 percent sooner), with fewer credits, hassles, and expenses — and stamping “BSN” on their hospital badges more quickly.
It is nearly impossible to describe what nurses do — or what they carry home on their shoulders.
Shortened programs have become the working answer to the pressures of nursing and universal BSN degrees for nurses. By eliminating the hurdles to academic pathways, the system encourages nurses to meet the Institute of Nursing’s goals.
When asked what she says to the naysayers, Cynthia Z. Gustafson, RN, Ph.D., and the executive director of the Montana Board of Nursing, told LifeZette: “This is not unique to Montana. We need to get over it — and move on for change as we need to keep preparing quality nurses for work in Montana. This gives us the opportunity to do so.”
Nurses are undoubtedly feeling the pressure to hold higher degrees. Excellent, highly qualified nurses are heading back to college, afraid their nursing positions may be in jeopardy if they don’t earn a BSN.
Perhaps there is an illusion that when nurses all hold higher degrees they will be treated more fairly, with more respect. Or perhaps, everything will remain the same. While nurses meet the new standards, are further educated, and in debt with school loans, they’ll be making 50 cents more an hour for their efforts.
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All of this begs the question: Would you rather have a nurse with an ADN and 10 years of experience caring for you — or an inexperienced new grad with a BSN taking care of you?
It is nearly impossible for nurses to describe what they do — or what they carry home on their shoulders. They stare death in the face, hold strangers’ hands, wipe away tears, and make order out of chaos. It’s messy and stressful. But most wouldn’t ever trade it for a desk job.
At the end of the day, all nurses must sit for and pass the same national licensing exam to practice as a registered nurse — regardless of educational background.
Jewels Doskicz is an Arizona-based registered nurse, a patient advocate, and a health consultant.
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