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What is BSN in 10?
New York state’s “BSN in 10” law, and how it affects you.
On December 18, 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed Chapter 502 of the Laws of 2017 amending Education Law section 6905 to require RNs to either have or obtain a baccalaureate degree or higher degree in nursing within 10 years of licensure. The law does not become effective until June 2019. In general, RN students enrolled in a licensure qualifying associates degree or diploma program as of December 18, 2017, as well as RNs licensed in New York State, as of December 18, 2017, are exempt from this requirement.
The reasons are clear:
- Hospitals with higher percentages of bachelor’s-prepared nurses have better patient outcomes, such as lower mortality rates.
- Each increase in percentage of inpatient RNs with BSNs results in an average reduction of 2.12 deaths out of 1,000 patients.
- Length of hospital stay is shorter in facilities where nurses have at least a BSN.
- Community-based care is less expensive in settings where nurses hold a BSN.
- Nurses with a BSN are more satisfied with their jobs than nurses without one.
Source: New York Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders
