For one thing it is the nature of our society. My mother and aunt became teachers with one year of college and high school respectively. Over the years as the number of qualified applicants increased they were forced to get degrees or quit.

Another thing is that Nurses are required to have more responsibilities than they once did.

Another thing is that Nursing assistants are now doing the work that you refer to. If someone wants that work without a degree they can be Nursing assistants. Why should the employer pay the wages of a nurse without getting the resume?