Under the bill, nursing students must earn a bachelor’s degree within 10 years of initial registered nurse licensure, according to the report. The law does allow exemptions for students currently enrolled in nursing programs as well as those who are already licensed RNs.
The law has received praise from nursing programs.
Eileen Sullivan-Marx, PhD, RN, dean of the New York City-based New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, said in an emailed statement: “NYU has been a strong supporter of ‘BS in 10’ legislation given its implications for improving patient care. Research shows that patients benefit from baccalaureate-prepared nurses — in fact, several large studies show that it saves lives. Earning bachelor’s degrees also creates opportunities for career mobility and leadership among all nurses.”
New York is the first U.S. state to pass such legislation, according to Dr. Sullivan-Marx. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports a nurse’s license will be temporarily halted if nursing students fail to obtain a bachelor’s degree within 10 years, although an extension could be granted in certain scenarios.
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