[Strudel]

A.D.N. versus B.S.N.?

Did you know that for over 30 years now there are controversies about A.D.N.
(Associate Degree in Nursing) versus B.S.N. (Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing) as entry level preparations for nursing practice? In 1965 already, the ANA (American Nurses Association) published a position paper that called for the baccalaureate degree for educational entry into professional nursing. This recommendation has been repeated by official professional representatives and has been examined in research over the years.
If you think that this debate might not affect you because you have graduated from one or the other program (or diploma program for that matter), think again. What would happen to you in you current practice setting if the B.S.N. becomes the minimum educational requirement for professional nursing? We would like to hear from you - what do you think about this issue? What do you know about it? Where do you agree and disagree with the arguments - pro and con, practice differentiation, etc.
We are three nursing students in an RN-B.S.N. program at a California State University. We also have developed a questionnaire to collect information and opinions about this matter. We will collate your responses and examine them against the literature about this topic. The survey questions are intended to provide us with information about your own educational background, your interest in this debate, your opinion from your experience about any perceived differences between A.D.N. and B.S.N. preparation and practice, and, of course, any comments you would like to share with us.
We will publish the survey results and more background information in this forum. We look forward to a lively discussion and / or your participation in our survey. Due to time constraints of the University semester, the survey will close on November 14th.
If you want to continue with the survey, please use the following address http://users.ap.net/~joan/nursing_survey/survey.htm



Moderators' note : Please take note of the original date of posting listed below before replying.

[VictoriaLeavitt]

Your address does not appear to be valid. I copied and pasted in the address portion of my search engine and your address could not be found.

[ainz]

I think BSN should be the minimum education for entry. I even advocate obtaining an undergraduate degree in something that would satisfy "prenursing" requirements and then be allowed to apply to nursing school.

It is difficult to observe the differences between a BSN and ADN in actual practice. I think the BSN has a broader understanding of why they are doing what they are doing rather than simply learning the steps of a procedure. The other things a BSN nurse could offer as far as teaching, health promotion, etc are currently not valued enough by our society and government to be paid for, so, hospitals do not value these services either and systems and processes are not structured in a way that makes it possible for nurses to engage in such at a level where it would be effective for patient care. These nursing functions/interventions are reduced to mere paper forms that are filled out as an afterthought just so the chart is "complete." It is a shame.

I also advocate for the BSN as a minimum for entry because of the professional image, or lack of, that nursing needs. With so many avenues to become a "nurse" it perpetuates the idea that a nurse is a nurse is a nurse. It is ridiculous that we have LPN, RN, ADN, BSN, MSN, PhD, and they are all called "nurse." We also cannot seem to adequately define what a "nurse" does that is uniquely different from any other profession or occupation and that has value for patient outcomes that other professions recognize and society is willing to pay for.

With so many ways to become a "nurse", some avenues taking only a year, others on-line, etc., it can attract a quality of people that do not quite have the innate propensity for very high professional, ethical, standards of behavior. Thus we have many "nurses" that engage in some behavior in the hospitals that is very unprofessional and that you just don't see other professions engaging in.

I firmly believe that there will be observable and distinct differences between 2 "professionals" where one went to school for a year or two and the other has invested many years, many hours, much prolonged sacrifice, and lots of money to obtain their degree, license, and place in the healthcare system.

In summary, BSN should be the aboslute minimum for entry into nursing.

My education is---associate degree then baccalaureate (through an RN to BSN program) then MSN.

[VickyRN]

I am weary of the constant demeaning of the ADN nurse. The ADN nurse is not going away, not now, not anytime soon. Why can't we just accept and support one another?

[cbj066]

Personally, I've never understood or agreed with those people who put down the ADN. I have my BSN, and I'm proud of it and what it took to get it, but I honestly don't think getting that degree made me a better nurse by any stretch of the imagination.

My BSN program (at the University of Texas) was full of classes like "Fundamentals of Professional Nursing", "Introduction to Management", and "Theories of you-name-it". I never saw then, and I still don't see, what their purpose was. How about more clinical time where we could actually touch patients?

I'd much rather have a competent, caring, hard-working nurse beside me with an ADN than a less-than-adequate BSN any day.
School doesn't make you the nurse you are, your experience and ambition does.

Flame away.

[RNinRubySlippers]

In most of Canada, it is now required new grads have a BSN to practice. I think that as long as a diploma RN does her/his part to keep current and constantly educate themselves (as we are supposed to) they are no less and BSN are no better...I scream for the TEAM! GO TEAM NURSES!!!!!!!
Experience and constant , current readings speak louder than a few letters...

[fergus51]

Not most of Canada as far as I knew. Ontario, BC and PEI are the only ones who require it right now I thought? It is very different in Canada because BSN and Diploma programs are basically the same, with the BSN being a year longer. All Diploma nurses are grandfathered in and not forced to get their BSN or anything. In the US there would be so many problems in making it the minimum, I don't see it happening for a LONG time. Personally, I do think there should be one route into nursing instead of 3, but it doesn't really bother me all that much