Why Obtain a BSN?

Michelle Carley, RN
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

Background of Problem Conclusion

Nurses are being expected to continue education. The new norm is a BSN to
work in a hospital due to new Magnet Standards. It is great that nursing is being
held to a higher standard to grow and develop however, factors like budget cuts
and higher cost of tuition are placing a threat to the future of nursing. Nursing
schools are turning away tens of thousands of qualified applicants because of
budget constraints and a worsening faculty shortage (Aiken, 2011).
Statistics
Goals and Objectives
When researching this topic, I came across some frightening statistics. See chart (IOM,
2011). Informing nurses of the importance of obtaining higher education with these
statistics to prove it could motivate many to go back to school. Financial reasoning is
the number one reason why nurses do not continue education. Information about tuition
assistance, grants, etc. should be made readily available by hospitals and other
facilities to encourage this education transformation.
Since there is such a shortage of educators, it would also be beneficial to offer higher
pay, or other monetary incentives to draw in more applicants. More educators, means
more room for students, and thus more nurses with higher degrees. Highly educated
nurses = better patient care!

1. Make tuition assistance more accessible Supporting Information

2. Motivate Nurses to go back to school to receive
higher degrees Of the approximately 72,000 nurses graduating from
associates degree nursing programs
3. Encourage nurses to become educators in 2010, only about 4000 are likely to ever obtain a
masters or higher degree a yield that
References cannot produce enough faculty to replenish a workforce
of more than 3 million nurses. (Aiken, 2011).

Aiken, Linda H. (2011) Nurses for the Future. New

England Journal of Medicine. Retrieved from
https://bsmcon.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-
57758-dt-content-rid-
344603_1/courses/NUR3240-201415-
FA/Nurses%20for%20FutureAiken%20%282009%
29.pdf

The Future of Nursing: Leading Change,

Advancing Health. (2011) Institute of Medicine of
the National Academics. Retrieved from
http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12
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