WNC -- July 18, 2026: Mission Health has eliminated its requirement that newly hired registered nurses earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), making an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) the minimum educational requirement for new RN hires across its hospital system. The policy took effect July 1.
The change applies throughout Mission Health, including Mission Hospital in Asheville as well as Angel Medical Center, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, McDowell Hospital, Transylvania Regional Hospital, and CarePartners Rehabilitation Hospital.
While Mission's announcement has drawn attention across Western North Carolina, it also reflects a broader trend in healthcare. Many hospitals throughout the region already hire registered nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing, while encouraging or helping employees earn a BSN later through tuition assistance and professional development programs.
Hospitals including AdventHealth Hendersonville, Pardee Hospital, Haywood Regional Medical Center, Harris Regional Hospital, and Swain Community Hospital have long accepted ADN-prepared nurses for many bedside nursing positions, though some specialty and leadership roles may still prefer or require a bachelor's degree depending on the position.
Mission Health said the policy change is intended to expand its pool of qualified applicants and strengthen recruitment efforts as healthcare systems continue working to address ongoing nursing shortages. Nurses who wish to pursue a BSN will still have access to educational assistance and advancement opportunities.
For prospective nursing students, the move means an Associate Degree in Nursing may now open the door to employment at nearly every major hospital system in Western North Carolina, with the option to continue their education while working.