ff PennMedicine

Lancaster General Health

BSN 2020 Frequently Asked Questions

A. Understanding the decision behind and the goals of the BSN requirement
L. Why did LG Health/Penn Medicine decide to require BSN degrees at this time?
LG Health/Penn Medicine leadership has been tracking BSN rates for many years. Nurses were voluntarily
returning to school, and there was a steady increase in the proportion of BSN nurses for several years. However,
the rate of registered nurses voluntarily returning to school has remained stagnant for the last 18 months,
highlighting the need for a more definitive plan of action.

2. Why do I need a BSN degree?

The lnstitute of Medicine, in its 2011 Future of Nursing report, made eight recommendations to advance the
profession of nursing in light of healthcare reform. One of the recommendations was to increase the percentage
of a BSN-prepared nursing workforce to 80 percentby 2020. The ANCC Magnet@ Recognition Program has since
adopted this recommendation. Also, many research studies have proven that an increase in the educational
level of the nursing workforce is directly related to improved patient outcomes, so it is the right thing to do for
our patients and the community that depends on us for excellent nursing care.

3. I have a bachelor's degree already in a non-nursing field. ls that sufficient?

No, the requirement is a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing. lf you have a bachelor's degree in another
field, your best option would be to enroll in the PA College RN to MSN program. This is a faster pathway for you
and enables you to earn your master's degree rather than a second bachelor's degree.

RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree will take three specific BSN courses (Research in Health Care,
Nursing Leadership and Management, Nursing in a Global Society) and Statistics, then move directly into the
MSN program upon successfulcompletion. Students do not earn a BSN but learn content necessaryto enter
the MSN program.

4. Do nurses at other Penn Medicine facilities also have to return to school?

LG Health and ChesterCounty Hospitalarethe onlytwo Penn Medicine institutionsthatcontinueto hire
non-BSN nurses. All other Penn Medicine facilities hire only BSN nurses.

5. Which cost centers are included in the IGH license and are impacted by the BSN requirement?
The following is a list of cost centers as of March 22,2016. This list is subject to change. lf you have any
questions, please consult with your manager or HR Business Partner.
Cost Center: 3032 - Employee Health Cost Center: 3550 - 4 North
Cost Center: 3072 - Accred and Regulatory Cost Center: 3551 - 4 Lime
Cost Center: 3085 - Risk Management Cost Center: 3554 - 3 West
Cost Center: 3505 - Nursing Admin (Duke St) Cost Center: 3560 - 8 North
Cost Center: 3506 - lnfection Control Cost Center: - 7 North
3565
Cost Center: 3507 - Perf lmprovement Cost Center: - 4 West
3555
Cost Center:3509 - LG Health NPs Cost Center: - Supp Staff
3575
Cost Center:3510 - Clinical Research Cost Center: - Trans Staff
3575
Cost Center: 3520 - 8 Lime Cost Center: 4020 - 5 East
Cost Center: 3524 - 7 Lime Cost Center: 4025 - 5 West
Cost Center: 3525 - 7 West Cost Center: 4026 - 6 East
Cost Center:3530 -4 East ' Cost Center: 4027 -7 East Observation
. Cost Center:3535 - 5 North Cost Center: 4030 - 6 Lime

LG Health/Penn Medicine BSN 2020 Frequently Asked Questions Page 1

For internal use only Updated: March22,2016