[tetons77]

I will be gradating as an RN in May and I trying to decide if I should get my BSN. What do feel the benefits of having your BSN gives you?

[Tweety]

You might not see immediate benefits as a new grad, since you along with BSN new grads are taking entry level positiosn.

Also the benefits depend on the region, and even where you work. Many areas around the country ADN RNs are in good positions, making good money.

The benefits are in the future when you might think about moving away from the bedside into positions such as quality control, safety, management, teaching, research, sales, etc. Many of these are "BSN preferred" and many ADNs are taking these positions around the country but sometimes you might be locked out. I applied for the unit educator position on my unit, thinking my 15 years would give me an edge. Even though I was working on my BSN at the time, I was refused because I didn't have the BSN.

Good luck. Probably you're going to want to take a rest, concentrate on passing NCLEX and enjoy not being in school. But I do recommend that for long-term benefits, you get your BSN in the near future.

[kkjet]

ADN or BSN may make a big difference depending upon where you want to work. I graduated from college in 1982 & went to work in a university trauma center. I received a higher salary because of having a BSN but there were, & still are, many bedside positions (critical care) that are BSN preferred. If you choose the ADN route, I just recommend that you earn your BSN as soon as possible. I would think the longer you wait, the harder it will be to go back to school.

[baldee]

Tweety or any other kind person,

From a ADN and other previous BS in Engineering and Managment, can you jump to MSN, with only taking a few Senior prerequisite classes w/o a BSN?

I have an excellent ADN community college only 1.5 miles from home now, and it seems like an excellent spring-board into the profession (as wide and vast as it is).

Right now, I'm looking to get started into a diaperless-CNA entry job (ha-ha)


Thanks

[Tweety]

baldee, I'm not familiar with the process, but there are ADN to MSN programs out there, but I think most of them award a BSN in the process.

[shodobe]

I am in the process of going back to school after 30 years to get my BSN. It is for my personal satisfaction and the oppurtunity to move into those BSN preferred positions. I have worked in the OR for all of those years and pretty soon I want to stop working those 16 hour days on call. I have yet to interview anywhere that the difference in pay was an issue. No one has ever offered me more money just for having my BSN, they were ALWAYS more interested in my 30 years of experience. I am sure there are institutions that pay a bit more for this added education. Like one poster stated, you might not need it now or for years but there will be a time when you will see a position offered and you will say to your self, " Gee, that looks like something I would really like to do" only to find out you need a BSN to qualify. Work on it early in your career and don't put off something that is easy to get and your employer is willing to pay for.

[Rhone]

I don't think it's very common, but there are some RN-to-MS programs out there. For example, here's a link to the page for University of Maryland's RN-to-MS program:

http://nursing.umaryland.edu/program...n-ms/rn-ms.htm

[denicu]

Originally Posted by shodobe

I am in the process of going back to school after 30 years to get my BSN. It is for my personal satisfaction and the oppurtunity to move into those BSN preferred positions. I have worked in the OR for all of those years and pretty soon I want to stop working those 16 hour days on call. I have yet to interview anywhere that the difference in pay was an issue. No one has ever offered me more money just for having my BSN, they were ALWAYS more interested in my 30 years of experience. I am sure there are institutions that pay a bit more for this added education. Like one poster stated, you might not need it now or for years but there will be a time when you will see a position offered and you will say to your self, " Gee, that looks like something I would really like to do" only to find out you need a BSN to qualify. Work on it early in your career and don't put off something that is easy to get and your employer is willing to pay for.

Good luck to you in your pursuit of your BSN. I went back this Jan after 20 yrs and I wanted to do it in 2 semesters. The main reason I am doing it is for personal satisfaction. I am max in my salary and prefer not to be on staff anymore. Just some advice-Sharpen your writing skill, and become knowledgeable in APA format. I had to do a care plan in one class-I have not done or seen a care plan in years. I am doing my class online and typing is not one of my strong point. I am doing ok but its a challenge going back after so many years. Good luck.

[baldee]

Originally Posted by denicu

Good luck to you in your pursuit of your BSN. I went back this Jan after 20 yrs and I wanted to do it in 2 semesters. .... Good luck.

LOL! The only difference in my CC of ADN and (RN to ADN) is about 8 hours in 4 courses condensed to 5 hours in 2 courses. Thats out of 72 hrs including pre-nursing and AS req's. Its not a BSN, but if I could afford it, I could get a BSN in 2 years, the same time; except I'd probably have to add a one or two pre-nursing requirements. However, its not too hard to change your curriculum if you have a convincing writing style and suck up to the Directors.

But I'm real excited about the ADN. Sometimes being overqualified means you just move a lot, and makes less net earnings absorbed in moving expenses.