[Elvish]

Originally Posted by soon2be

Is it true that ADN's cannot hang IV medication? Someone told me this was the only difference with BSN vs. ADN trained nurses...

I think they told you wrong. Any RN can hang IV medications - BSNs and ADNs all have to pass the same exam, and after that, all have RN licenses.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by Aedana

I didn't really feel ripped off when I took the ADN program. The reason why is that 1 semester of nursing school in my ADN program was 250 dollars (including fees) per semester for full time study (if even that much), while the cheapest BSN program I could find was easily 4 times that much (the local public university cost about 2500 dollars/semester + fees). Some of the private school BSN programs were even more expensive (12k-16k per semester!!!).

I had NO assistance whatsoever with college tuition (I didn't qualify for federal aid during any of my time in school for various reasons) so I really had to scrimp financially just to gather together the 250 bucks. However, I graduated with no debt under my belt (unlike many of the BSN grads I know). Now that I am employed full time, I can get the hospital to pay for my ADN-BSN bridge year with no out of pocket costs, so I can still remain debt-free.

So, like I mentioned, there are a lot of factors that can weigh in on whether you choose the ADN/BSN route. I am very glad for my ADN program because without it, there would have been no way for me to be a nurse.


Aedana

I know what you mean, I paid for my ADN by working at Pizza Hut because tuituion was about $27/credit hour. I had to borrow $500 from my parents to buy the books and I graduated without debt otherwise.

My point was ADNs in Texas should be outraged that they are 3 courses shy from a BSN. Like you said there are good reasons to get an ADN, but sheesh only 3 courses shy of a BSN sounds like ADNs are being taken advantage of.

[Aedana]

Originally Posted by soon2be

Is it true that ADN's cannot hang IV medication? Someone told me this was the only difference with BSN vs. ADN trained nurses...

Please clarify... thanks!

I just hung 3 bags of LR and Ancef today alone and I graduated from an ADN RN program, so I would say no. I believe that depending on the state's practice act, LVN/LPNs may have restrictions on what they can do with IVs like what you are talking about. However, I also believe that they can administer IV medications if they take special certification classes from their hospital. (Maybe a friendly LVN out there can clarify).

Hope this helps!

[NurseRatched67]

There is absolutely NO difference to what a BSN or ADN can do as an RN anywhere as a bedside nurse.

Both are programs that allow you (once completed and passed) to sit and take the NCLEX. The NCLEX is the test that must be passed for you to obtain your RN license in your state.

One you pass the test and obtain your license then you are an RN. Plain and simple.

I'm an ADN that went into nursing 14 years ago as a second career. I alreay had an undergraduate degree in another field, but at that time there really weren't any decent BSN completion programs. Plus I really didn't want to go thru paying student loans back AGAIN!

I went to a community college, became an RN and have been working steadily since. While BSN's do sometimes have an advantage in the mgmt side of nursing, I don't find that to always be true. I'm in a mgmt position now, and have been for 4 years. There are alot of hospitals that still look at experienced candidate over a BSN candidate without experience.

I'm not knocking the BSN, in fact I will start in June at a local university on the RN-BSN track. I'm doing it now because the hospital I work in just raised their tution reimbursment to $5,000 a year. That will get me thru most of the costs for this year and then the next.

I'm an ADN Chemotherapy outpatient treatment nurse. I hang chemo, transfuse blood, draw blood, access ports, give injections and educate patients on their disease.

[soon2be]

Thanks everyone, for answering. The person who told me was a former RN student, but didn't finish the program. She said that she thought this was the case back in the mid 90's.... I let her know that it doesn't matter ADN or BSN.

Thanks everyone for your replies!

[werkenovatyme]

Great answer! It really depends upon the goals of each individual person

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm

[treezuh_lvn]

Personally I would go all the way for the BSN b/c having to go back to "school mode" as one is already older than the average college student is hard enough. Just go all the way through the extra couple years. If you know that you want to do nurse management or teaching then it only seems logical.

[cheerfuldoer]

Originally Posted by soon2be

Is it true that ADN's cannot hang IV medication? Someone told me this was the only difference with BSN vs. ADN trained nurses...

Please clarify... thanks!

Not true. RNs hang IV meds, and LPNs who are IV Certified hang IV meds.

Originally Posted by soon2be

Thanks everyone, for answering. The person who told me was a former RN student, but didn't finish the program. She said that she thought this was the case back in the mid 90's.... I let her know that it doesn't matter ADN or BSN.

Thanks everyone for your replies!

I've been a RN since 1987, and know for a fact that RNs hung IV meds in the mid 90's...irregardless of their educational pathway to nursing. Education is just that.....education. Passing the NCLEX is how the educated graduates of nursing programs obtain a license to practice as registered nurses. THAT has NOT ever changed.

[NatashaFromOregon]

Originally Posted by miss arron

in my area physician's assistants go to school as long as ADN programs and make less money and have less opprotunity to advance their career (from what i've heard).

Sorry, I know this is off-topic....but REALLY!??

In Oregon PA programs are either Bachelors or Masters programs and the average starting salary is about $65,000.

Maybe I'm misreading your post, though.....

[NatashaFromOregon]

Originally Posted by Tweety

That's amazing to me that there is only three courses difference between a BSN and an ADN in Texas. I would feel ripped off if I were an ADN nurse and bite the bullet and take those three classes even if I wasn't interested in those areas of nursing.

When I took the ADN to BSN route it was a 15 course difference.

It's the same in OR, too. The only difference (besides $$$$$) between the ASN and the BSN is 3 additional nursing courses, epidemiology, statistics, and an upper division arts and letters requirement. The rest of the curriculum is the same, as are the clinical hours.