I do not believe the number of pathways LPN ASN BSN is

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I do not believe the number of pathways (LPN, ASN, BSN) is confusing when it applies to what job one plans to pursue. The nursing profession should have several entry levels. Whether one choose to get a license with a degree or just a certificate is up to them. The different jobs required for nursing all have different levels of training and education needed. One should get to choose which level they want to accomplish. On the other hand, the confusing part for nurses or the public can come from the 3 different educational routes one take to achieve RN licensure (Black 2017, 69). It’s an asset to the profession because each level has it specific function and specific purpose. Credentialing for nurses comes in the forms of licensure and certification (Black, 2017). LPN’s pathway require education & training but in the end of it all they only receive a certificate. You do however have to obtain licensure, but it’s no degree. ASN pathway requires more education and a little bit more of advanced training but you get your degree. BSN pathway depends on how you choose to go about it. Coming from LPN to BSN takes more time consecutively opposed to ASN to BSN which is less time. It all depends on how you choose to pursue your schooling. Continuously or taking breaks in between ultimately could equal up to about the same time which ultimately gets you a second degree. I agree with the findings and recommendations of the IOM and Tri-Council for Nursing that entry into nursing should be at the baccalaureate level. However, I disagree that nurses should advance their education if that makes sense. Nursing should merge leadership skills, communication & research based off of evidence into its workforce (Black, 2017). There are many different areas in the medical field that could benefit from advanced education obtained by nurses. The disagreement comes in with the need for nurses to advance their education. Some nurses choose to go as far as to get their ASN so that they can become a RN. They have no desire to return to school to further their education for various reasons. They could have a family, hectic work schedules, other obligations, no time to spend online, no time to go to school or just getting older and do not want to pursue additional education. I don’t feel they should be forced to get a higher degree if they choose not to. I would say that it would be in their best interest to gain more knowledge and at least try to get a bachelor’s degree. Even Florence Nightingale back when felt that one should never consider themselves to be done with learning (Wilson, 2015, p.56) With the ever changing profession of nursing, there is no telling as to where nursing will be within 5 years. At the end of the day it should be left up to the individual to choose how far they want to go educationally.Black, B. P. (2017). Professional nursing: Concepts & challenges (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.Wilson, C. (2015). The Role of Nursing Professional Development in the Future of Nursing. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development,31(1), 56-57. doi:10.1097/nnd.0000000000000144