Mission Health in Asheville, N.C., part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, will no longer require newly hired registered nurses or clinical nurse coordinators to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, effective July 1, the health system said in an internal communication to staff shared with Becker’s.
Effective immediately, an associate degree in nursing is the minimum education requirement for both roles. Under the previous policy, nurses hired with an ADN were expected to obtain a BSN within five years. The change applies across Mission Health’s network of six hospitals and a post-acute rehabilitation hospital serving western North Carolina.
Ruth Kain, PhD, MSN, RN, market chief nursing officer for Mission Health and HCA Healthcare’s North Carolina Division, said in the internal message that the decision reflects the strong clinical preparation ADN-prepared nurses bring to patient care and is aimed at expanding the qualified applicant pool, filling open roles more efficiently and strengthening professional development and retention.
A Mission Health spokesperson said in a statement to Becker’s that the decision was made “after careful consideration of our patient care priorities, operational needs, and the evolving workforce environment.” The policy shift comes as Mission Health has worked to stabilize its nursing workforce in recent years, including periods in which CMS placed Mission Hospital in immediate jeopardy.
BSN-prepared nurses remain eligible and valued, Mission Health said. It will continue supporting degree advancement through tuition reimbursement and will maintain its commitment to Magnet recognition — a designation Mission Hospital, the only Magnet-recognized hospital in western North Carolina, most recently earned in 2025.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
