By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Hospital patients are finding their nurses are much better educated than in years past.

It used to be that nurses could be on the job after just two years of education. Now, many hospitals in Philadelphia and across the country are requiring staff to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Barbara Wadsworth, who is the chief nursing officer of Abington Health, says a better education means a better quality of care.

“By having more nurses with a bachelor’s degree, they have better critical thinking skills and can assess patients in a better and more meaningful way.”

While some hospitals require the degree before you’re hired, Abington is giving its staff until 2021 to comply

If nurses already have a different bachelors degree, they can get a masters in nursing.