A bachelor's degree for entering the nursing profession: A scoping review for supporting informed health care policies

Background

Numerous studies have emphasized the relevance of work environment, staffing, and educational level in nursing as determinants of safe, timely, effective, equitable, and efficient patient-centered care. However, an overview of the evidence focusing on the nursing education level is still lacking.

Objective

To provide an overview of the existing evidence regarding bachelor's degree as an entry level for the nursing profession.

Design

This was a scoping review.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of CINAHL, Medline via PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science Core Collection. Additionally, we conducted a free web search using Google and contacted international nursing associations via email. We summarized the evidence narratively. For reporting guidelines, we used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews.

Results

We included 10 studies, 12 response letters, 24 position papers, three books, and one webpage. The sources of evidence identified agreed that the inclusion of a higher number of nurses with a bachelor's degree would lead to a higher quality of care.

Conclusions

Using a bachelor's degree education as a minimum requirement to enter the nursing profession in the future is essential to generate a respected, competent, and satisfied nursing workforce that can impact the quality and safety of care; and positively influence outcome indicators for patients, nurses, healthcare organizations, and society.

Tweetable abstract

Policy makers and healthcare organizations should set bachelor's degrees as standards for registration and entry to nursing.