Do nurses need to have bachelor's degree?

Answer 1

Most schools offer an associates and bachelors degree in nursing.

Actually this is is only true for the United States of America.

In some countries you need a university degree to enter the nursing profession as a registered nurse. This is the case for example in Canada and I believe this is the case in the the UK.

The US is unique in offering nursing programs that allow entry to practice with a variety of educational preparation.

In the US you can enter the nursing profession as a Registered Nurse with an Associates degree or a university degree. Both prepare you for the role of a registered nurse and the entrance exam and rate of pay and job classifications are the same.

In Canada a university degree is now required to become a registered nurse, however, since there are still many nurses in the system without a university degree. There is a pay differential offered in most collective agreements for those prepared with a university degree.

The US, Canada, and Australia have another classification of nursing license which is a licensed practical nurse. This is a narrower scope of practice, less span of control and less responsibility.

The education requirement is less than for an RN and in most circumstances the LPN works under direction or supervision of an RN.

Even in jurisdictions where the LPN works independently and not under direction there is still the requirement to transfer the patient to the care of the RN when the care needs become complex.

Not all countries have these two classifications of nursing.