[mstigerlily]

Originally Posted by pattycakebaby

The new push is for all nurses to be baccalaureate prepared, eliminating the 2 year associate degree program. Given the current and future nursing shortage, what is your opinion?

I do believe RNs should have a bachelor's degree, specifically in nursing, however if they have one in another field, an ADN is adequate until they can complete the BSN degree, but I believe they should have to eventually complete that too. We already have a level for "practical" or "technical" or "vocational" nurses and that is the LVN/LPN which is also a nurse, and a perfectly reasonable option for those who can't afford or can't complete a bachelor's level program.

[buddhak0n]

Originally Posted by Nelly0602

My head is spinning after reading through some of the posts regarding ADN vs. BSN. I am seeking a bit of advice here. I am 30 years old with a B.A. in Journalism and a successful career in medical device sales. I am debating between an accelerated BSN program (16 months- and a lot more money) and a 4 semester nursing program (but I already have all the prerequisites completed through my B.A.- so is it just a one year program for me??) I am just beginning to research this career path so bear with me here. I am considering nursing because I like the idea of having a flexible schedule and the ability to work on a contractual basis. I am starting to think about having a family and I am not sure that I can be a full-time mommy-money and sanity wise! A career in nursing would allow me to work as I choose while kids are young, and perhaps return to medical sales (a lot more marketable to boot) at a later date. So for my purposes...
Does a 1-2(?) program in nursing allow me the same career options as a BSN pay-wise/responsibility (particularly in the first 5 years or so?) or put another way, will a BSN be worth the time and money given my intentions? Thanks for any help or suggestions!

Hey it's just my two cents but take the FASTEST path to a RN which would be the ADN program and THEN after you get yourself in the door of a Hospital or whatever facility you wish to work.. MOST of them have continuing Education programs whereby if you work there they will PAY to complete your education.. So the question is do you want to go back to school and just study for two more years , in which case you'll probably never want to actually work in the field .... or do you want to get a job and WORK?

Just my two cents not meant to be anything but what it is... an opinion

[SFriscan]

I personally would have pursued an Associates degree if I was not accepted to a BSN program for the simple passion of wanting to be a nurse. I doubt anyone here is downplaying the intellect of ADN's. I know many nurses who graduated from a University with a bachelor's in hand, before pursuing a second degree in nursing.
I think people are comparing nursing to other professions, such as physicians. A PhD is required, nothing more nothing less. So should a Bachelor's be a minimum requirement and expected fulfillment to attain from all nurses? An Occupational therapist was required a minimal education of Bachelor's but in 2007 has changed to a Masters. It seems to me many of us are concerned about how other professions view nursing and though their input is important, how are we as nurses valuing ourselves?
The answer should be through continued education, which is already mandated by law. I think what would ease my mind as well as everyone on here is to continue bridging the gap and creating the pathway for ADNs to ease into a BSN degree while simultaneously working. The skill is already there, but to apply theory and place the critical thinking skills gained from a bachelor's education into practice puts the whole perspective of patient care under a different light. So of course I value higher education but as long as there is an easier route, people will take it. A Bachelor's at Yale is the same as a Bachelor's at a 4-yr college, but an Associates should not be under the same category or expected to receive the same treatment as a Bachelor's when we compare nursing in context of licensure, pay rate, and so forth.
ADNs no longer care for only stable patients, so times have changed and if your really concerned about the direction of nursing, then be active. A forum is not going to change anything, unless you allow it to open your mind, accept criticism, and put the opinions of others to good use. In the business world, no formal degree put the person to the top, continuous training and experience did, so there. You can argue that against me. Good night.

[dianacs]

Originally Posted by SFriscan

I think people are comparing nursing to other professions, such as physicians. A PhD is required, nothing more nothing less.

Getting on the soapbox...physicians have a medical doctorate (or a DO). This is a clinically-focused doctorate. A PhD is an academic/research-oriented doctorate. Two different things. Off the soapbox now.

[RossaysoonRN]

Just wanted to point out that all 4 year programs do not get the summers off as state by previous poster. I am in a BSN program and I have to go straight through for 2 years including summers! I don't get a break. I go to Chicago State University.

[elkpark]

Originally Posted by buddhak0n

Hey it's just my two cents but take the FASTEST path to a RN which would be the ADN program and THEN after you get yourself in the door of a Hospital or whatever facility you wish to work.. MOST of them have continuing Education programs whereby if you work there they will PAY to complete your education.. So the question is do you want to go back to school and just study for two more years , in which case you'll probably never want to actually work in the field .... or do you want to get a job and WORK?

Just my two cents not meant to be anything but what it is... an opinion

Just to clarify, for those who already have a BA or BS, an ADN program is not necessarily the fastest route to RN licensure, now that there are so many accelerated BSN programs for people with other baccalaureate degrees ...

However, everyone's situation is different, and you can't just assume that an accelerated BSN is your best best, either. Best to talk to folks at all the nursing (RN) programs in your area and see what they have to offer you, and carefully consider all the variables (time frame, expense, etc.) in relation to your personal situation.

[fly4rfun]

when I went to nursing school(years ago) the bsn students could take their board exam after the 2nd year. we took our board exam after our 2nd year.
If I had to do it over again I would get my BSN, would it make me a better nurse, no,
but might open more doors of certain jobs. I think what the BSN student takes after the 2nd year is statistics, public health, ect. the core nursing appears the same.

I also know to many BSN nurses who cant do critical thinking. exceptions to all.
your advanced degrees wont make you a good nurse, neither being a ADN, its individual