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LETTERS & E-Mails
letters@outpatientsurgery.net
A Bachelor's Degree Shouldn't Be a Burden
◗ Re: "Back to School" (December, page 6). I am an RN
with an associate's degree who has enjoyed 15 successful years of nursing, both in the OR and as a manager.
I've been faced with the BSN issue from both sides:
employee and employer. I was denied an interview at a
local hospital because I lacked a bachelor's degree.
Conversely, I've hired hundreds of nurses over the years, all of whom
had varying levels of education. I absolutely will hire a nurse with realworld education and experience over one with multiple degrees and
no groundwork behind her. Furthermore, there is much to be said
about one's attitude, eagerness and willingness to work and learn. I'd
much rather hire someone with drive and ambition, given the basic
educational requirements are met. I personally live with the stress of
making the decision to go back to school, not because I necessarily
want to or feel it's necessary for my own professional development,
but because I might find myself in a position of being "non-hirable"
simply due to my level of education, not having anything to do with my
professional achievements or success level to date. Magnet status is
great, but I believe that measures such as patient safety and satisfaction far outweigh the percentage of staff with baccalaureate degrees.
Scott R. Amos, RN
MNH GI Surgical Center
Maitland, Fla.
scott.amos@covenantsp.com
J A N U A R Y 2013 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
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