Is there too much confusion in current health care education?

Then there is also the issue that each state's regulations differ on what is required for licensure as well; some don't accept online programs for initial licensure, some do not accept diploma programs, etc.

In your question about how an RN can be such with an AD, if an LPN can hold an AD as well. The somewhat obvious answer is that the nursing content which is taught is not the same, the clinical experiences, the core foundation of nursing process is not taught to LPNs. The RN programs teach all the same LPN skills in addition to nursing process and all the other RN skills and delves into leadership roles and complex pathophysiology, etc. IMO, it's almost like the AD LPN programs are ripping people off if they are stretching out so little content over a two-year time frame when an RN program can cram in so much more. Tuition wouldn't be much different if comparing credit-for-credit.

As for the discussion over raising the bar for RN licensure to the BSN level, I don't think it's necessary nor in the best interest of health care in general. In an ideal world we could do that, but not with our health care system and educational systems the way they are. ADN RNs are taught the fundementals of the RN practice, and they are perfectly capable and qualified to practice. They may lack a lot of supporting theory, leadership training, etc., but there are some RNs out there who transcend and practice almost intuitively and are marvellous RNs. Conversely, there are RNs out there who hold the degree but don't really utilize their extra knowledge to it's fullest potential. In theory, you'd think the person with the higher degree would be the better nurse, professionally speaking, but that's not always the case.

It does seem that there is a great amount of redundancy in the current method of educating health care occupations.

In light of the increasing acuity of the health care settings, and the need for more, instead of less education to ensure the US health care system is strong, there should be some set levels.

While nobody denies that each of these health care workers passes the same examinations, and is proficient, one must look towards the areas of health care where there has been progress along these lines.

While Pharmacist were able to perform at the BS level, they were able to see the advancement of the profession was enhanced by making the Pharm D program the entry level to practice.

The Physician Assistants, continue to have multiple entry levels, but are working towards making the master's degree a requirement.

Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Anesthetists, and Midwifes have set the master's degree as the entry level, and Nurse practitioners are considering the Doctor of Nurse Practice, of which many programs have already started.

Physical and Occupational Therapist have made graduate degrees a requirement.

Nursing, in order to advance to a level of professional, must consider what is best for the "profession. If the LPNs are going to have an associate degree, then the BSN should be the minimum requirement to be an RN. Additionally, as the requirements for the Nursing Assistant increase in hospital, their program should increase to at least 12 months.

Regarding MAs, in my experiences over the past 28 years in and around health care clinics, I cannot see the need for an associate degree. This should coontinue to be a certificate program, and then if they want to advance, they can get additional certifications, or an associate completion degree in health clinic administration.

Every level of health care needs to build on the previous level, and each needs to help develop the occupations into professions.

While I don't deny the value of experience, and there is no issue with the fine people in the positions now, there nees to be progress for the future.

EDIT: I have to agree with the probability that the DNP will become a necessity, rather than just a way to get title recognition. NPs are seeing the need for increased education. Also, the need for the credential of the professional degree is becoming more necessary as the role is being thrust into more independent practice.

Studies are showing that fewer medical students are selecting to enter primary care specialties, and there is an ever increasing need for independent primary care providers as the "Baby Boomers" move further into their seniority.

AN NP with a professional degree is more likely to be able to get the support for changes in the health care financing and prescriptive legislations they will need in the years to come.

Hello, haven't seen you in awhile.

Yes, it would make sense to have a set degree. And I am sure you follow these "growing up" throes like I do in the magazines & journals like "ADvance" and Clinician Reviews etc.

It comes from the history of the professions. PAs came out of the Viet Nam war when medics arriving home needed something to do and they were way over experienced to be RNs. Hence the Duke program. As all these fields have evolved and begun to become competitive with each other as well as the venerable medical establishment itself, in addition to the vast amount of new medical information needed to be assimilated, the natural move was to reward the graduates with higher degrees to signify training, experience and acceptance. Change is slow, however, and not everyone was or is all for it (due to cost, length of time etc), so the multiple degrees remain.

As health care gets more expensive, cheaper alternatives are also pushing into the market place. Clinician Reviews just ran an article on Xray, Dental & one other "assistant" as well.

Personally, I think a set degree based upon responsibility & licensing for all equal strata caregivers should be enough, but there will always be individuals pushing for more--like the Doctorate in nursing...really necessary? Probably costs more. Is this a back way to be called "doctor"? Is this going to price NPs out of some job markets (higher degree, want more $). Same with the idea with MSNs as floor nurses--too much? Salaries could backlash into more LVNs again. I agree too that some gets pretty pretentious--giving MAs too high a degree will definitly clash with nurses.

It will be like a pyramid, everyone rushes to the top (highest level of education & title) and the bottom continues to expand, pushing the top off (unless you are at the true top--the MD, which in my book really is the only one with all the training--someone HAS to be the captain & the responsible one).

But too many bakers involved in this pie--can't see any of them reaching a consensus any time soon! Like medicine in general! (wonder why you don't see this as much in other fields?). Nice question.

One thing that I've learned is that in most workplaces a certain degree (or education) does not really get you a certain position. This is true in most fields not just health care. There are people with college degrees working as waiters and bartenders because they can't find work in their fields (usually people with degrees in Anthropology or Art History or other irrelevant subjects to the workplace). In these times, it is important to have both education and experince. A lot of places will not hire someone if they don't have experience even if they have the appropriate education, and what's worse is that a peson can't get experince if nobody wants to hire them without it. You're right...it's a in confusion, not just in the health care field.