I plan on going on to get my BSN as I want to teach some of the minor gen ed classes (Nutrition is my fav!) but some people say go for it and others say it's a waste of time and money as the payout is not much greater than a RN. I want to end up in ped pych so I refuse to stay as a LPN and nor will I go backwards so the effort causes me to weigh all that is out there.

Getting some inside info from those that know before I listen to idiots who don't have a clue would be a great help. I thank you all for your input

There will always be those who downplay any advancement a person makes. Do not let that stop you from following any path you chose. I work with quite a few seasoned RN's who graduated many years ago from diploma programs. Yes they are good nurses but our profession has advanced and evolved and we should not downplay the importance of that. I started with my ADN then transitioned to my BSN. I too wanted to teach and am currently teaching clinicals for a local University. I love it! Does having my BSN make me a better nurse, I believe it does. I have developed a better understanding of the importance of research and best practices, just to name a couple of examples. I have recently passed a national certification exam in my specialty and those same people will say "Just because you can pass a test doesn't make you a better nurse." I disagree. Studying for the exam was very empowering and really assisted me in enhancing my knowledge base. THAT makes me a better nurse at the bedside and enables me to provide better care to my patients. DO NOT let ANYONE discourage you. Follow the path you set forth. They can follow or get out of the way :)

Well, I don't see educational worth as being quantifiable solely by the increase on one's paycheck. The advancement of knowledge can only help you become a better nurse, and perhaps a better person. It also opens doors that don't even exist without the baccalaureate.

Go for it. You could decide to become a psych NP with a specialty in peds. Try that as an ASN RN.

:)

Ive heard it said before and ill repeat it here. Ive never meet a BSN educated nurse who has ever regretted getting the higher degree but I have meet many lpn's and ADN's who say they wish they had went on to get their BSN. IF you want to teach its a must.

a bsn would not be a waste of time for you if you are trying to teach. however, if you want to save yourself some money, try adn first then a rn-bsn program while you work as a rn. when you have finished you should have your few years of work experience and your bsn to start teaching clinical.

this is the route i am taking. i will have my bsn next year and i have been able to pay cash for both my adn and bsn. btw, i have already been approached to do case management and to be a clinical instructor when i graduate since i will have two years of work experience and my bsn at that point. without the work experience having a bsn would not land me the job in either case management or as a clinical instructor where i live. gl!

:yeahthat: That's pretty much what I'm doing! I found an online RN-BSN program at Ohio University. 1 year, 5 different start times per year, 5 week terms - $5800 plus books. I'm planning on getting my MSN - that's my 40th birthday goal :) A lot of the big hospitals here are going for magnet status, which is bad news for all the ADN/ASN nurses out there. Getting your BSN - at the very least - ensures you'll have more job opportunities once you graduate.

There's no such thing as having too much education. Anyone who tells you otherwise is misinformed, or simply not being supportive.