BSN renewal requirement in New Mexico talking points.

Proposal

All newly licensed registered professional nurses will be required to attain a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) within ten years of initial licensure.

Exempt are those licensed nurses and students enrolled in a nursing program at the time the law is enacted.

Background

The entry level Associate Degree in Nursing and Diploma in Nursing Programs are integral and important in the education and development of new nurses. Without the existence of such programs, it would be impossible to keep up with the demand for nurses in an already constantly changing healthcare system.

[check] Existing educational entry to practice will remain at the Associate, Diploma or

Baccalaureate nursing levels.

[check] Approximately 60% of nursing graduates are from associate degree programs.

* The proliferation of associate degree nursing programs, both public and private, over the years did not prevent a nursing shortage as predicted.

* The AD programs continue to provide affordable access to entry into the profession.

[check] The need for nurses to advance their formal education is critical:

* The constantly changing health care environment and globalization necessitates higher nursing education levels in caring for complex patient populations. Nurses must keep up with the exponential increase in knowledge and information technology

* Recent research shows the value of experienced nurses with baccalaureate education. Nurses who continue their education provide better outcomes and safety for patients.

* Baccalaureate education will better enable nurses to practice as full partners on an interdisciplinary team, comprised of other health professions with advanced education.

Nurses who continue their education have broader career options and opportunities to influence change in healthcare to benefit the safety of patients and communities.

[check] Baccalaureate nurses provide a cadre ready to pursue preparation as nursing faculty or advanced practice nurses such as Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Specialists or Nurse Anesthetists.

[check] Magnet Hospitals and Pathways to Excellence Hospitals require an increased number of BSN prepared nurses.

[check] Nursing is a dynamic constantly changing profession and is not based on technical skills alone.

Timeline: The proposed rule change would not go into effect until 2012.

Initial Entry to Practice will remain at the Associate degree, Diploma or Baccalaureate levels. The proposed rule change would not go into effect until 2012.

[check] This rule applies to those who obtain their first RN license after the rule date is enacted.

* A BSN will be required within ten years of first being licensed as a RN in New Mexico. (Example: if the rule is enacted in 2012 and one's first RN license is obtained in 2012, this RN must complete a BSN by 2022).

* RNs transferring from another state will be required to obtain a BSN within ten years from the date of their first New Mexico RN license

[check] Other baccalaureate degrees are not interchangeable with the BSN. The BSN requires specific coursework in Community Health Nursing, Research and Statistics, and Leadership and Management in Nursing.

[check] The BSN can be accomplished through a traditional BSN program, a second degree BSN program, or RN to BSN program which are offered on campus, on-line or a combination of both.

[check] The BSN fosters the continuing development of critical thinking skills in nursing. If the individual does not desire to pursue a BSN, a graduate degree (Master's or Doctorate in Nursing) will be accepted in lieu of the BSN requirement.

References:

(1.) Aiken, L.H., Clark S.P., Cheung R.B., et all. (2003). Education levels of hospital nurses and patient mortality. Journal of the American Medical Association, 290, 1617-1623.

(2.) Atkins, S., & Nygaard, J. (2004). Relationship between patient mortality and nurses' level of education. JAMA, 291(11), 1320-1321.

(3.) American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2008) Fact Sheet: The impact of education on nursing practice. Retrieved Feb 22, 2009 from http:ww.aacn.nche.edu/ Media/FactSheets/ImpactEdNP.htm

(4.) American Nurses Association. (2009). Nursing education advancement: A legislative model. Retrieved Feb 22, 2009 from http://www.nursingworld.org/mainMenuCategories/ ANAPoliticalPower/State/StateLegislativeAgenda/ NursingEducation 1.aspx

(5.) American Organization of Nurse Executives. (2004). Guiding principles for future of health care delivery. Retrieved January 14, 2009, from http: http://www.aone. org/aone/resource/guidingprinciples.html

(6.) American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Distance learning is changing and challenging nursing education. (2000, January). ACCN Issue Bulletin. Retrieved March 4, 2009, from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/issues/ jan2000.htm

(7.) American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2005, October 24). Position statement on baccalaureate nursing programs offered by community colleges. Retrieved March 4, 2009, from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/ positions/ccbsn.htm

(8.) Cangelosi, P. (2006). RN-to-BSN education: Creating a context that uncovers new possibilities. Journal of Nursing Education, Retrieved March 16, 2009 from http://www.journalofnursingeducation.com/showabst. asp@thing=34872.

(9.) Delaney, C., & Piscopo, B. (2007). There really is a difference: Nurses' experiences with transitioning from RNs to BSN. Journal of Professional Nursing, 23(3), 167-173.

(10.) Keepnews, DM. (2006). A fresh approach to an old issue. Policy, Politics and Nursing Practice, 7(1), 4-6.

(11.) New Mexico Board of Nursing. (2007). Educational preparation of the nurse of the future. Nursing News and Views, 2(2), 8-9.

(12.) New Mexico Higher Education Department (2007). New Mexico Higher Education Department Invests $4M in nursing programs. Retrieved from http://hed.state.nm.us/ cms/kunde/rts/hedstatenmus/docs/712146462-09-12-2007-15-52-00

(13.) Ropelewski-Ryan, G., Hess, M., & Bartow, M. (n.d.). Agenda for success: Dimensions of access to BSN programs for ADN graduates in upstate New York. Submitted for Community College Development, A SUNY Cornell Partnership. Retrieved March 4, 2009, from http://www.iccd.cornell.edu/iccd/researchGrants/ appliedResearchGrant/upload/Corning%20ICCD%20 final-3.pdf

(14.) Reams, S., & Martin-Stricklin, S. (2006). Bachelor of Science in nursing completion: A matter of patient safety. JONA, 36(7/8), 354.

(15.) Sexton, K., Hunt, C., Cox, K., Teasley, S., & Carroll, C. (2008). Differentiating the workplace needs of nurses by academic preparation and years in nursing. Journal of Professional Nursing, 24(2), 105-108.

(16.) Trossman, S. (2008). Issues up close: BSN in ten. American Nurse Today, 3(11). Retrieved March 4, 2009, from www.americannursetoday.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm =&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&m id=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=25 3286D9D3794B2CAD226A5FD2F44ADB 

(17.) Way, M., & MacNeil, M. (2007). Baccalaureate entry to practice: A systems view. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 38(4), 164-169.

(18.) Wawrzynski, M., & Davidhizar, R. (2006). The Bachelor of Science in nursing degree as entry level for practice: Recapturing the vision in the United States. Health Care Manager, 25(3), 263-266.