TITLE: APPROVED BY: Carol Long MS, BSN, NEA-BC, Director of Inpatient Services

Transcription

1 TITLE: APPROVED BY: ELLIOT HOSPITAL Educational Requirements for Registered Nurses Carol Long MS, BSN, NEA-BC, Director of Inpatient Services Samantha O Neil, Director of Human Resources EFFECTIVE DATE: September 10, 2013; revised March APPLIES TO: Elliot Hospital entities, Visiting Nurse Association POLICY STATEMENT: Consistent with national standards and evidence related to patient outcome improvement, BSN or equivalent degree educational preparation for nurse employees is the preferred educational foundation for practice. Baccalaureate level education in Nursing drives improved staff retention and performance and therefore is a requirement for all Nurse Manager and Resource Nurse positions. In addition, graduate level education is required for Nurse Director and Nurse Administrator positions. PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to provide a structure that supports the EHS Nursing Services strategic goal to continually increase the percentage of EHS registered nurses prepared at a minimum baccalaureate level in nursing. Currently Employed Nurses 1. Currently employees (nurses) are strongly encouraged to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or equivalent nursing degree (e.g. Bachelor of Arts in Nursing) and are supported by managers and tuition reimbursement resources to achieve this goal for professional development to improve patient care. 2. All resource nurses or candidates for a resource nurse position must be academically prepared with a BSN or equivalent nursing degree by the end of 2018 in order to apply for or remain in the position. 3. All candidates for nurse manager, all current nurse managers, and interim nurse managers must hold a minimum of a BSN or equivalent nursing degree. 4. All candidates for nurse director or nurse administrator positions must hold a minimum of an master s degree. This standard includes interim nurse director/administrator roles. Internal Applicants (new positions/transfers) It is expected that managers adhere to the preferred educational foundation for practice and select the most appropriate candidate for the position. When a position is deemed hard to fill or the candidate pool does not present BSN or equivalent nursing degree applicants, managers may consider individuals who are willing to commit to advancing their education. Use of the attached algorithm should guide the decision making (Appendix A). Associate Degree Nurse Candidates All applicants for a new position or a transfer requiring an RN license will be made aware of the requirement to have or to be matriculated into a BSN or higher nursing degree program. 1. Associate degree applicants are required to submit confirmation of matriculation into a BSN degree (or higher) program.

2 2. Associate degree applicants applying for a position that has not been deemed hard to fill and who are not matriculated into a BSN degree (or higher) program, will not be considered eligible candidates. 3. Internal associate degree applicants who advance to the candidate level, for a position deemed hard to fill will be offered the following guidance. a. The recruiter will provide candidates with a copy of this policy and explain the educational commitment requirement (Appendix B). b. Applicants whose transcripts meet the minimum GPA may be offered a position and will be required to sign the commitment letter, enroll in a program within six months and complete a BSN or high nursing degree within five years of hire date. The candidate will demonstrate performance to this expectation during the annual review process (Appendix A). c. Applicants whose transcripts do not meet the minimum GPA and or are not willing to matriculate into a program will require CNO approval to negate the requirement to matriculate into a BSN (or equivalent) program. Diploma Nurse Candidates 1. Diploma nurse candidates will not be eligible for transfer within the Elliot Hospital without CNO approval. External Applicants It is expected that managers adhere to the preferred educational foundation for practice and select the most appropriate candidate for the position. When a position is deemed hard to fill or the candidate pool does not present BSN or equivalent nursing degree applicants, managers may consider individuals who are willing to commit to advancing their education. Use of the attached algorithm should guide the decision making. Associate Degree Nurse Candidates All applicants for positions requiring an RN license will be made aware of the requirement to have or to be matriculated into a BSN or higher nursing degree program. External applicants who advance to the candidate level for a position deemed hard to fill should be offered the following guidance. 1. The recruiter will provide candidates with a copy of this policy and the educational commitment letter (Appendix B). 2. Applicants are required to submit confirmation of matriculation into a BSN degree (or higher) program. 3. Applicants whose transcripts meet the minimum GPA may be offered a position and will be required to sign the commitment letter, enroll in a program within six months and complete a BSN or high nursing degree within five years of hire date. The candidate will demonstrate performance to this expectation during the annual review process (Appendix A). 4. Applicants whose transcripts do not meet the minimum GPA and or are not willing to matriculate into a program will require CNO approval to negate the requirement to matriculate into a BSN (or equivalent) program. 5. Continued adherence to degree progression will be required. Failure to meet continued expectations in the absence of extenuating circumstances may result in termination of employment.

3 Diploma Nurse Candidates 1. Diploma nurse candidates will not be eligible for hire within the Elliot Hospital.

4 APPENDIX A Nurse Candidate Hiring Guideline

5

6 APPENDIX B Nursing Educational Nursing Development Plan Manager: Date entered into position: Current highest nursing degree: Date initial plan established: Other degrees? Date enrolled in degree program month / year Date Date Date Date Comments School and program type Planned credits per semester Anticipated graduation date month / year

7 APPENDIX C Commitment Letter to Advance Nursing Education Educational Advancement for Newly Hired Registered Nurses Name: Date of Hire: RN Educational Advancement Letter of Commitment I understand that I have been offered a position as a registered nurse at Elliot Health System contingent upon my commitment to achieve, at a minimum, a bachelor s degree in nursing within from my date of hire as a registered nurse at EHS. Date of Hire: I have reviewed and understand the Elliot Health System policy Educational Advancement for Newly Hired Registered Nurses as well as the Elliot Health System Tuition Reimbursement policy which are attached. I understand that while I may be eligible for tuition reimbursement, all aspects related to this educational advancement including but not limited to program identification, application/acceptance, payment of tuition and other fees, and negotiation of an appropriate work schedule to enable class attendance are my professional responsibility. I understand that I must be enrolled in a course applicable to my goal degree within six (6) months of my date of hire in order to successfully complete my six (6) month probationary period, and that my progress toward degree attainment will be evaluated annually at the time of my performance review. I understand that I am required to have continued adherence to achieve, at a minimum, a bachelor s degree in nursing within from my date of hire as a RN at EHS. Failure to meet any initial or continued expectations in the absence of extenuating circumstances may result in termination of employment. Employee Signature Employee Number Date Manager Signature Date Department