[Tweety]

Originally Posted by ZASHAGALKA

The debate IS absurd.

It's an absurdity brought to you courtesy of the ANA. Without their misguided statements on the issue, it wouldn't be an issue at all.

~faith,
Timothy.

I doubt it.

Nurse scholars also agree that with the BSN idea, in fact probably are the one's that proposed it to the ANA for them to come up with their statements.

The absurdity is they recommend it, but have no practical way to bring it about. Because obviously, myself hometown included, there aren't BSN programs available.

[Nemhain]

Originally Posted by Tweety

I doubt it.

Nurse scholars also agree that with the BSN idea, in fact probably are the one's that proposed it to the ANA for them to come up with their statements.

The absurdity is they recommend it, but have no practical way to bring it about. Because obviously, myself hometown included, there aren't BSN programs available.

There aren't BSN programs around where I live either. The closest ones are more than 2 hours away and with the price of gas who would want to drive that distance?

It's funny...one of my nursing professors was telling our class when we expressed concerns about finding work as a ADN graduates 10 years from now, "when I was in nursing school 20 years ago, I was told that by the year 2000 there would be no such thing as an LPN and there would be no RN Diploma or ADN programs left in the United States. God, they couldn't have been more wrong."
Hee Hee...that's hilarious.
If you're happy with bedside nursing an ADN is all you'll ever need. I bet we'll all be long retired before ADN programs are phased out. My school wanted to create a RN-BSN program, but they can't find people to teach.

*Oh, there is a new nurse manager on the Med/Surg unit where I do my clinical and she just has an ADN!!!! Everyone loves her! ADNs CAN be nurse managers, however, if there is a BSN applicant that person will most likely get the job. Being a nurse manager is NOT out of the scope of practice for an ADN (at least in my state.)

[Gromit]

Zashagalka (did I get that right?) I agree, and its the primary reason I've refused to bother with ana -even though a couple of my compadres push them almost like they were getting a kickback.
I didn't do the BSN thing due to practicality. I was almost bankrupt for one, and it was easier to get into my CC for another. I'm fortunate to live in an area that has an abundance of schools, some offering BSN as well. But time and bread made my choice -wish I'd been smart enough to go back to school when my parents were paying the tab so many years ago (grin). Fortunately, at my workplace, few give a crap what your level is (adn/bsn) -those that do are usually managemen-bound. And one day I'll probably go the BSN route, but for now I have to get out of debt and gain experience, and enjoy being a nurse.
I was very fortunate in that it wasn't very difficult to get a spot at my local CC -which had (at the time) a very good NCLEX-pass rate (still in the 80 percentile range, I think -and all of my class did pass -though it took some of us a couple of tries)
I see students coming onto my floor now (and some are techs who are trying to get in) and they tell me plenty of horror-stories about how bad the competition is to get in now. My luck stemmed from the fact that my chosen CC actually opened up a whole new class the year I applied, and my GPA was pretty good, so I got a slot.
What boggles MY mind is that a year ago, Florida BON raised the level required to pass NCLEX AGAIN, (so I'm told, making my state one of the most difficult in which to pass the boards) -with shortages being what they are -not that I want standards to drop, but they aren't helping their cause when so few can get spots in schools, and then making it even more difficult to pass boards.... well, it seems simple to me, anyway.

[SueH]

When I was in nursing school.....ADN program 28 years ago now.....one of our instructors who actually had her MSN, stated that she wished she had graduated from an ADN program initially instead of her BSN program. She told us that there was so much emphasis placed in the BSN program at her university on research and writing papers that she was ill prepared to actually care for patients. She said she actually graduated from nursing school without giving an enema or putting in a foley......and that because of the intensity of our ADN program, she felt that she personally might have a hard time making it in the standard alloted time. She explained that she felt her BSN education was greatly "drug out" and that the ADN students get the same education, perhaps without all the paper writing and research, but just in a more compact and concise format and in addition get more "hands on" practical experience. I know that different programs at different institutions will vary......but let's face it.....there are a lot of us who did not have the luxury of a four year program and had to get to work and start making money as quickly as possible. My friends who went on to get their BSN mostly state that what they learn is actually minimally useful and and in the words of one such ADN to BSN graduate, "a mountain of bovine dung." By the way my ADN class had a 100% first time pass rate on boards.

[LMTtoRN?]

I am taking my math prerequisite this summer so I can start full time in the fall for my first semester pre-nursing toward an ADN. I live in the northeast, and most hospitals around here offer tuition reimbursement if you pursue your BSN -- which is my plan for moving forward toward an eventual MSN goal.

I'm 47, divorced, living on my own (my kids are grown), and a licensed massage therapist making not-very-much-money. I DID qualify for grants (thank the powers that be!!) but the cost of books is phenomenal! I paid $100 for used for this summer course. I don't even want to THINK about the A&P books at this point. I will probably have to take out loans just to make it through, but I am looking forward to a salary that will allow me to pay it back.

My belief is that it is up to you to make the most of the opportunities you have. Your education is only as good as the effort you put into it. My school had 100% of last year's class pass the NCLEX-RN. To me, that is a good indicator of the program, but the comments I've heard from other nurses about graduates from my school convinced me that this was the program I wanted to pursue.

Here's to working our tails off so we can succeed!!!

[psychtech1]

Funny that I should happen upon this thread, I am currenty registering for my prereq's at my CC. I am still contemplating attending my CC for my RN or going for the BSN. Either way I am going to have to take out loans, but the CC's here have a waiting list of 900-1000 and only take 75-100 stuents per year. So even if I have a wonderful GPA, life experience, etc. I am still placed on a waiting list. I am 33 years old and already have a Bachelor's in Human Development.

There are 4-5 universties here who have a fast track BSN and one that has an MSN program specifically for students who have a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Right now, the fast-track BSN is probably going to be my choice because it will have smaller classes and I can finish within a couple of years.

Thanks for all the insight on this dilemna!

Pepper

[Gromit]

Had a friend who did her BSN (finished it up) while I did my ADN -MY chief complaint: OUR program didn't spend enough time on things like leadership -and that played a bit of a role in the NCLEX. HER complaint (they did spend a lot of time on that) was that her program spent far more time on theory, far less time on practical. Of the two of us, she felt I was far more ready for actual patient care, while she was far more prepared for manegerial work.
She works on short-term care floor, in my facility, and we still get together to compare notes. I hope in a couple of years to go for my BSN, but I'm not really in a hurry. Never been much for managing anyway -but that IS her goal (to be a manager).
It would be safe to say that there is no 'one-size-fits-all', I guess.

[Fun2Care]

I've heard this too. I guess everyone should start with an ADN, then do a RN-BSN to be a well-rounded RN.

Originally Posted by Gromit

Had a friend who did her BSN (finished it up) while I did my ADN -MY chief complaint: OUR program didn't spend enough time on things like leadership -and that played a bit of a role in the NCLEX. HER complaint (they did spend a lot of time on that) was that her program spent far more time on theory, far less time on practical. Of the two of us, she felt I was far more ready for actual patient care, while she was far more prepared for manegerial work.
She works on short-term care floor, in my facility, and we still get together to compare notes. I hope in a couple of years to go for my BSN, but I'm not really in a hurry. Never been much for managing anyway -but that IS her goal (to be a manager).
It would be safe to say that there is no 'one-size-fits-all', I guess.

[Blondie26]

It must depend a lot on what part of the country you are from...I live on the Minnesota/North Dakota border and in my area the closest ADN program is about an hour away! We do however have two BSN programs around. Also, the hospitals around here always say "BSN preferred" in their job descriptions so I'm confused. I wish I could just get an ADN but unless I want to move there are no other options!

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by Nemhain

*Oh, there is a new nurse manager on the Med/Surg unit where I do my clinical and she just has an ADN!!!! Everyone loves her! ADNs CAN be nurse managers, however, if there is a BSN applicant that person will most likely get the job. Being a nurse manager is NOT out of the scope of practice for an ADN (at least in my state.)

Not here either. The larger hospitals, such as the one I work in require BSNs, but some of the smaller ones don't. I think an ADN with good experience and people skills probably make fine managers.