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Factors Influencing Nurses’ Perceptions of the Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing as Minimum Requirement for Professional Practice

AIM The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing nurses’ perceptions of the baccalaureate degree in nursing as the minimum requirement for professional practice. BACKGROUND The associate degree nursing program was created in response to a nursing shortage in the early 1950s. In 1965, the American Nurses Association recommended that the BSN be the minimum to practice professionally as a nurse. METHOD A quantitative method with a descriptive design was used. An online, Likert-type survey collected data from 61 nurses in southern Michigan and northern Indiana. Two open-ended questions were included to gain perceptions in nurses’ own words. RESULTS Higher education was noted as positive for nurses, but not necessary for becoming an expert nurse. The most common factors influencing advancing education were time and money, followed by career advancement. CONCLUSION The study supports the idea that if nurses are able, they will continue their education.