[multicollinearity]

Originally Posted by jjjoy

2.5 years of core nursing? Seriously?! Wow! Actually, that's probably good for the students but it seems odd if there are two years of pre-reqs. How does the school justify it?

I just noticed that I did not answer your question. I was too busy (self-absorbed) sharing the life and times of a pre-nursing student (me) jockying for admission to multiple ADN and BSN programs.

I've never heard any of these schools try to justify anything. I just thought it was understood that some bachelor's degrees go beyond four years. At my university, education majors and architecture majors go beyond four years as well. In addition, the (large) university is not attempting to increase undergraduate nursing enrollment. They are rapidly increasing the accelerated BSN program for those who already have BS/BA degrees. It has made me wonder if nursing could actually go to a grad level program in the distant future.

[jjjoy]

It would be interesting to see just how many BSN programs are *officially* longer than 4 years (not including wait lists, class scheduling difficulties, waiting for acceptance, etc). That certainly reflects the ADN programs trending to 3 years, doesn't it?

Those in policy-making for nursing tend to agree with the push for more education for nurses. In theory, I can see it. In practice, I get stuck on the fact that there's such a demand for licensed nurses that it's hard to imagine them all being filled by nurses with bachelor's degrees. And it's hard to imagine health facilities and consumers could afford the cost differential. In that respect, I'm not sure what exactly these visionaries are seeing. Do they see nurses with bachelor's degrees working at the bedside and filling all current RN roles? Seems unrealistic.

A quick search shows that 5-year Bach of Architecture programs are the norm. And the program descriptions specifically say right away that it's a 5-year program, so there is no mistaking it's not a typical bachelor's program. And it looks pretty consistent across schools. The Bach of Arch degree qualifies them to take the registering examination. Apparently there are some graduate programs (2-3year) that also prepare students to take the registering exam. There are also graduate programs specifically for those already qualified as architects for further development and specialization. I'll bet there's some controversy in that field in terms of employers demanding a masters degree or not and if a bach is "enough".

For teaching, it's essentially a bachelor's degree plus a year for the teaching credential. Bachelor's programs generally grant a degree in education along with credential coursework, but anyone with a bachelor's degree and meeting whatever other requirements can also apply for a 1-year program to earn a teaching credential. That's kind of what I was initially suggesting for bachelor's level nursing. A bach degree plus a year of straight nursing education. Those who didn't major in nursing (like those who didn't major in education), would have to take whatever pre-reqs they might be lacking that nursing majors covered as part of their degree.

[jzzy88]

I am getting ready to attend an accelerated 2nd degree BSN (only 12 months long) and wish I could take a less expensive RN program since I already have a bachelors degree. Maybe the 2nd bachelors degree is kind of redundant though. With respect to extra stuff a bachelors degree might add to one's critical thinking skills, I think it adds a wider breadth of knowledge on which to draw. Also, with the bachelors degree comes confidence in one's abilities and additionally it carries a higher 'status' in our society. Though a bachelors degree nowadays is more like a high school diploma. Nonetheless, the extra philosophy classes or whatever will help one as a nurses.

But suppose a person has taken a lot of classes but never gets a degree or is a self taught scholar that possesses a broad range of knowledge, then that would also help their nursing practice.

In essence, I think the broader range of experiences and knowledge makes a better nurse.

J