Senior living is one of the fastest-growing industries in the US, with 1.2 million nursing jobs needed by 2025. This makes it a fantastic industry for anyone looking for a fast-paced and high-demand career. Most facilities, like hospitals, are unable to offer the same level of care as an assisted living community does. So, when the right people aren’t hired for the job, residents are insufficiently apprised of their condition which leads to a variety of ethical and legal liabilities. Onboarding the best is vital for the welfare of residents and the reputation of the facility.
Requirements to work in Senior Living
Registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and even nurse practitioners (NPs) are common roles in Senior Living. Residents with particular medical disorders, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, may be accommodated in some facilities. As a result, nurses who work at a long-term care facility could decide to pursue a specialty in a certain area of healthcare, such as geriatric nursing. Because of this, many nurses come into the industry with the question of whether or not they need a BSN degree.
While an ADN education can still get you employed, there is a strong case for getting a bachelor’s. First of all, it’s important to know that a BSN is required for a large majority of nursing jobs. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the percentage of RNs with a BSN is 56% and growing. So even if it’s not a job prerequisite, more qualified candidates can easily kick you to the bottom of the list. This is true even in 2022, when turnover rates are high.
Looking at the senior living sector alone, an industry that JDI recruits for, hiring managers tend to seek out BSN trained nurses for recruitment. Everything is indicating that it will eventually become a mandatory requirement. Cases for requiring the degree are:
Better prepared for the field
Studies show that higher education leads to better clinical outcomes. Reports from institutions like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Institution of Medicine (IOM) advocate for increasing the percentage of baccalaureate-holding nurses to 80 percent. Why? They can lower the odds of patient mortality, decrease the risk of hospital-acquired infections and are shown to display a higher quality of care.
Increased opportunities
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 7% throughout the next decade, faster than the average occupation. This demand is due to the aging population and an increased demand for care for patients with chronic conditions like dementia.
With a large percentage of nurses expected to hit retirement by 2030, it’s safe to say that nursing is an in-demand field that’s well worth the financial investment. A BSN provides more choices in work environment, organization and industry. If you’re looking for work outside of hospital care, a more advanced level of education is the way to go. Around 82.4% of employers strongly prefer BSN-prepared nurses.
Higher earning potential
One of the main reasons why anyone pursues a higher level of education is because they want to be able to earn more. Getting a BSN degree is the first step towards getting a management position. High-paying nurse careers like practitioners, anesthetists and midwives, all require bachelor’s degrees.
Even during a recession, nursing is a career that offers job security and high-income potential. Nurses who earn their BSN make 10% more than those without one.
It will eventually be required everywhere
New York passed legislation requiring new nurses to obtain a BSN within 10 years of their initial licensure. Passed in 2017, “BSN in 10,” aims to improve patient outcomes across the board. It’s likely that more and more states will begin considering taking similar measures.
Looking for a new Chief Nursing Officer, VP of Clinical, Director of Nursing or Executive Director? Whether you’re looking to hire or you’re looking to find that perfect role, we have you covered. Reach out to anyone on our team here.