Educational Advancement for the Nursing Profession

New Jersey Nurse, May/Jun 2006

RESOLUTION

Whereas, shorter lengths of stays, higher patient acuity and more sophisticated technologies and procedures are increasing the complexity of patient care, and

Whereas, the rapidly increasing knowledge and evolving complexity of care will place greater demand on nursing, making new skills a prerequisite for nurses of the future, and

Whereas, two of the purposes of ANA cited in its 1917 Certificate of Incorporation; are to "promote the professional and educational advancement of nurses in every proper way; to elevate the standard of nursing education...", and

Whereas, NJSNA has long supported increased accessibility to high quality educational and career mobility programs that utilize flexible approaches for individuals seeking baccalaureate degrees in nursing, and

Whereas, the diploma and associate degree in nursing are recognized as important entry points into the nursing profession, and

Whereas, the articulation model developed by the New Jersey State Nurses Association and the Fuld Leadership Council, published by the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing, exists and is used by many nursing programs in New Jersey, and

Whereas, the pursuit and attainment of higher education enhances and advances the nursing profession just as it does for other health care professions, and

Whereas, research has documented the benefits of patient safety and quality of care associated with advanced education, therefore, be it

Resolved that the New Jersey State Nurses Association support legislation that would require that associate and diploma prepared nurses obtain the baccalaureate degree in nursing within ten years of completion of their entry level programs, and be it further

Resolved that NJSNA will draft legislative language that will:

* Preserve associate and diploma educational programs as entry levels into the profession of nursing.

* Grandfather all currently licensed registered nurses so that they would not need to meet the baccalaureate degree in nursing requirement.

* Allow all students enrolled at the time of the legislation's passage to complete their studies and not have to meet the baccalaureate degree in nursing requirement, and be it further

Resolved that legislation would apply only to future graduates of associate and diploma nursing programs, and be it further

Resolved that graduates of associate and diploma nursing programs would be given ten years after initial licensure to complete the baccalaureate degree in nursing, and be it further

Resolved that NJSNA collaborate with nursing leaders throughout the state to promote funding of innovative programs that bring together diploma, associate and baccalaureate education.

Written by: Resolutions Committee

Reviewed: January 19, 2006

Approved: NJSNA Annual Business Meeting, March 31, 2006

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