Having taught in all three types of basic RN preparatory programs (diploma, associate's degree, and bachelor's degree), I know what the curriculum includes. It's not sufficient, in most cases to provide a student nurse with the skills needed in today's health care arena.

I suggest that we also examine the preparation of nursing leaders. I've seen nurses with bachelor's degrees promoted into leadership positions-as supervisors or nurse managers-when they have little or no clinical experience. What they have are degrees. Once given such positions, these "leaders" often provide minimal mentoring, perhaps teaching a few training classes.

Meredith King Jensen, MA, RN