The BSN Degree should be the Entry Level for Professional Nursing

Introduction

A degree is becoming a vital requirement in the contemporary society, and it is hard to secure a well-paying job without the qualification. Even though some parties feel that it is not mandatory to have high academic qualifications to become successful, that is not always the case because one would encounter numerous hardships should they secure a job in the nursing sector without a BSN degree. BSN is an acronym that means Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Trainees take the first two years studying the prerequisite courses such as algebra, psychology, anatomy, chemistry, and physiology. The degree gives practitioners the chance to analyze the effectiveness of the policies that have effect on health practices and also open the avenue to serve in different positions. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing needs to put the BSN degree to be the entry level for professional nursing to achieve a high level of competency and skill while at work.

Reasons why a BSN is Important

The BSN Degree needs to be the entry level for professional nursing because the qualification would make it easy for practitioners to serve as advocates. Apart from serving as healthcare providers, nurses who form the largest part of the healthcare workforce oversee the development and application of policies that influence health services. The nurses sample the effectiveness of developed laws and identify any loopholes that may obstruct smooth operation. Acquiring a BSN Degree equips nurses with the knowledge that makes it easy to create, change, and implement policies that would foster growth and development in the sector. William (2008) claims that proper training will also equip nurses with the skills to cut costs in the area where increasing expenditure is becoming an alarming issue. William (2008) suggests that even though lack of adequate educational training deters some practitioners from taking part in such crucial advocacy processes, creating awareness on the need to achieve a BSN Degree shall transform how nurses advocate for changes in legal developments.

The employment sector in the current times is highly competitive, and this calls on job seekers to have qualifications that give them a competitive advantage over other applicants. More health facilities nowadays expect nurses to have an advanced level of qualification in nursing with the belief that such individuals have more skills and experience in their activities (Blais & Hayes, 2015). Some organizations now even create policies that make it compulsory for newcomers to have a BSN Degree making it difficult for job seekers who do not have the qualification to attain the position. Blais and Hayes (2015) proceed to state that acquiring a BSN Degree does not only elevate nurses’ marketability but also increase their mobility meaning that they can conveniently secure a job in private institutions, learning institutions, community health facilities, non-profit initiatives, and government agencies. The need to recruit degree holders leaves applicants with no option but to undergo the four to five years training to fit in the highly competitive area.

A report by Ameritech indicates that it is now easier to attain a BSN Degree unlike in the earlier years when constraints of finding affordable and accessible training facilities hindered many people from achieving the degree. The quickness, affordability, and flexibility of the online programs make it easy for individuals who wish to become nurses to acquire the level without spending so much time going to classes (Ameritech, 2015). Ameritech is a good example of an institution that prides itself as a leading online provider of baccalaureate education although one must choose a facility that meets their requirements. Learners in the U.S can now acquire the degree from an established university in the country, and more specifically from recognized nursing institutions such as Duke University in Durham and University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Employers in the contemporary times consider advancing the skills and experience of their employees, and it would be difficult to further the education of workers who do not have necessary qualifications. A nurse who holds a BSN Degree can proceed to attain an MSN that stands for masters in nursing and which require additional years of learning. Nurses who hold a masters degree have a wider option to choose from while some may decide to be a nurse anesthetist, a clinical nurse expert, or a teacher at the community or nursing colleges (Sparacino, 2015). A nurse who has a BSN and an MSN increases their salary scale thereby expanding their chances of earning more salary compared to a nurse who has an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). The BSN Degree, therefore, needs to serve as the entry level for professional nursing to create the opportunity to grow at the place of work and economically.

Having a BSN Degree makes it easy for individuals to become a Registered Nurse (RN) who operates as a qualified practitioner who has a license in nursing. An RN can get work in a wide variety of professional environments, and mostly specialize in a particular field (Sparacino, 2015). An RN who must have a BSN Degree may take responsibility for supervising the work of other healthcare providers including less-qualified RNs, unlicensed assistant personnel, student nurses, and licensed practitioners (Sparacino, 2015). Any individual who aspires to become an RN should not only have a BSN degree but should also have the passion for reading because the practice requires one to undertake continuing education to sustain their license. The number of RNs is rapidly increasing and given the prediction by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that number might rise by 19% annually indicate that more people are acquiring the BSN Degree and are considering it to be a fundamental entry level for professional nursing (Sparacino, 2015). Trainees in the nursing industry need to strive to achieve a BSN to realize their aspiration of becoming an RN.

Counter-argument

Even though having a BSN Degree may be advantageous to practitioners, the requirement might be unnecessary now that the country is facing a severe shortage of nurses. Grant (2016) writes that the state has handled the deficit of nurses for many decades but now due to the limited capacity of the nursing institution, an aging population, and the escalating cases of chronic ailments the shortage becomes more severe. Grant (2016) writes that even though the nurses account for the largest section of the health care area in the U.S., the demand for the service is surpassing the supply. The problem becomes unbearable because as Grant (2016) reports, nursing training schools in the U.S. turned away at least 79,659 eligible candidates from graduate and baccalaureate programs in 2012 due to lack of enough classroom space, budget constraints, non-flexible clinical sites, and incompetent members of staff. The hardships U.S. nursing schools face coupled with the advanced rate of aging and retiring may cripple the nursing sector if it is compulsory to have a BSN to secure a job. The requirement may mean only the few who become successful to reach a university or college that provides the course may get the chance of fulfilling their dream even if they have the talent. The shortage may require that applicants who have qualifications such as ADN should get the opportunity to serve in higher capacities. Unfortunately, an ADN holder may not have some knowledge that a BSN graduate has thereby rendering their work quite ineffective when it comes to handling specific areas.

Conclusion

A BSN Degree serves a fundamental purpose for trainees in the nursing sector and should act as the entry level for professional practitioners. Gaining a BSN gives nurses the power to serve as advocates for the legal policies that influence health practices to ensure that the legislation leads to a positive outcome. Attaining a BSN is also advantageous because the graduate gains the capacity to serve in different areas including the community, the clinical environment, the teaching sector, and becoming an RN. Employers now want workers who have the qualifications to further their skills, and it would be difficult to pursue a master’s course if one does not have a BSN. Even though the U.S. is currently experiencing shortages in the number of nurses and which may require the employers to consider applicants who have relatively lower qualifications, it is important to find highly qualified personnel to achieve the best outcome.