[NatashaFromOregon]

Originally Posted by HealthyRN

Being young and childless has nothing to do with advocating for a BSN-entry level requirement for nursing. I sympathesize with your (and many others) situation and I applaude you for taking the steps to better your life and pursue a career in nursing.......

But why should the profession of nursing lower its standards just so people who have a family, other responsibilites, or are unable to attend a four-year university can still enter the profession??? .......

But if a BSN was required, would you still want to be a nurse?.......

Would having the BSN required for entry level "close" opportunities for people who perceive that they can't attend a 4-year university?

My comment about the "young and childless" was only an observation. And I did acknowledge that there were certainly those who did NOT fit that criteria who felt that entry to nursing should be at the BSN level. Like I said, it was just a minor observation.

I understand what you are saying, but we, in the U.S. would really have to change the structure of our higher education system before mandating that a BSN be required to enter the field. Besides cost (and, frankly, there are no universities that offer a nursing degree for anywhere near the same price per credit as community colleges---not in my area, at least), it's location. The closest university that offers a BSN is 60 miles away from where I live. The next closest is 100 miles away. How would I get to school? If the university in my city offered a nursing degree, I may consider going for the BSN straight away. Maybe if we want more RN, BSN's there should be more programs. The way I see it, it's way easier to enter a RN-BSN program.

It's funny that you mention the nursing profession "lowering its standards" to accommodate those who want to pursue ASN programs, considering that throughout nursing history, BSN programs are a relatively newer thing (....anyone remember hospital diploma programs....?)

And, yes, if a BSN were required I would still want to be a nurse. Unfortunately for me, it would probably mean deferring my plans until my kids are much, much older and possibly commuting or moving.

This is why I say that requiring a BSN is limiting to some people. I don't "percieve" that I can't attend a 4-year university at the moment. I can't. Unless, of course, I can magically uproot one that offers a BSN and move it me. But that's just wishful thinking, I suppose.

I do feel that higher education in nursing is a good thing; but we need to re-vamp our educational system before that can become a reality.

[ANPFNPGNP]

Originally Posted by NatashaFromOregon

I have decided to enter an ASN (Associate of Applied Science in Nursing) program for many reasons. First and foremost, I have children to consider and a family that needs me. Secondly is the cost. I am able to attend a community college; I am unable at this time to uproot my family and move to an area with a university that offers a BSN program AND pay for said program.

Once again, the nursing profession doesn't need to be a dumping ground for all those people who have kids and/or can't afford a college degree, etc. I WAS RAISING 3 CHILDREN when I went through a BSN program. I made substantial sacrifices to get a college degree and I expect the same of everyone else who is given the same job title as me.

I had to wait YEARS before going back to school to get my MSN and practice as a nurse practitioner, because I had financial obligations to meet. There wasn't some little fast track "back door" into the NP profession, you either get a MSN or you can't become certified as a NP...PERIOD!

Have you ever seen a school teacher with an associates degree? How about an engineer, physical/occupational therapist, etc? There isn't some alternative "fast track" associates program that's going to get them certified in their profession. Did you ever think that any of those professionals had financial obligations and child care issues? I can assure you, many of them DID!

[ANPFNPGNP]

Originally Posted by NatashaFromOregon

I understand what you are saying, but we, in the U.S. would really have to change the structure of our higher education system before mandating that a BSN be required to enter the field. Besides cost (and, frankly, there are no universities that offer a nursing degree for anywhere near the same price per credit as community colleges---not in my area, at least), it's location. The closest university that offers a BSN is 60 miles away from where I live. The next closest is 100 miles away. How would I get to school? And, yes, if a BSN were required I would still want to be a nurse. Unfortunately for me, it would probably mean deferring my plans until my kids are much, much older and possibly commuting or moving.

Why should we lower our educational standards just because it's inconvenient for people to get their college degree? I had to spend $$$ to fly back and forth to Nashville AND pay for a hotel AND pay for a rental car in order to get my MSN degree because there wasn't a MSN program where I lived! I spent years saving up the money for those expenses!

[suzy253]

Nursing is certainly not a dumping ground for those who do not have their BSN degrees. Please don't start dissing people again. What worked for you, worked for you...very good...enjoy your career but please don't put down others and expect them to take the same route to become an RN as you did.

[ANPFNPGNP]

Originally Posted by suzy253

Nursing is certainly not a dumping ground for those who do not have their BSN degrees. Please don't start dissing people again. What worked for you, worked for you...very good...enjoy your career but please don't put down others and expect them to take the same route to become an RN as you did.

I'm not putting people down, I just want our educational standards raised...end of story!

[NatashaFromOregon]

[quote=ANPFNPGNP;2914797]

Originally Posted by NatashaFromOregon

I have decided to enter an ASN (Associate of Applied Science in Nursing) program for many reasons. First and foremost, I have children to consider and a family that needs me. Secondly is the cost. I am able to attend a community college; I am unable at this time to uproot my family and move to an area with a university that offers a BSN program AND pay for said program.

Once again, the nursing profession doesn't need to be a dumping ground for all those people who have kids and/or can't afford a college degree, etc. I WAS RAISING 3 CHILDREN when I went through a BSN program. I made substantial sacrifices to get a college degree and I expect the same of everyone else who is given the same job title as me.

I had to wait YEARS before going back to school to get my MSN and practice as a nurse practitioner, because I had financial obligations to meet. There wasn't some little fast track "back door" into the NP profession, you either get a MSN or you can't become certified as a NP...PERIOD!

Have you ever seen a school teacher with an associates degree? How about an engineer, physical/occupational therapist, etc? There isn't some alternative "fast track" associates program that's going to get them certified in their profession. Did you ever think that any of those professionals had financial obligations and child care issues? I can assure you, many of them DID!

There is really no need for that hostile attitude. Congratulations for working so hard (raising 3 children, no less!) to attain your goals. I am working hard to achieve mine.

You seem to have really misread what I have been saying. I'm not looking for some "fast track" to success. Theres not such thing. BUT, Associates Degree programs are all that is offered here. So that's what I will do until I am able to further my education. What is so wrong about that?

You are not the only one who has made "substantial sacrifices" for what you wanted. I have too, as have many others. I really resent your implication that I feel nursing is a "dumping ground" for single mothers. Talk about hostility. Who in their right mind thinks nursing school is easy? Even getting into nursing school is competitive and academically challenging.

Like I said, if everyone seems to want more BSN level nurses, there should be better access to BSN university programs.

[ANPFNPGNP]

Originally Posted by NatashaFromOregon

Originally Posted by ANPFNPGNP

There is really no need for that hostile attitude. Congratulations for working so hard (raising 3 children, no less!) to attain your goals. I am working hard to achieve mine.

You seem to have really misread what I have been saying. I'm not looking for some "fast track" to success. Theres not such thing. BUT, Associates Degree programs are all that is offered here. So that's what I will do until I am able to further my education. What is so wrong about that?

You are not the only one who has made "substantial sacrifices" for what you wanted. I have too, as have many others. I really resent your implication that I feel nursing is a "dumping ground" for single mothers. Talk about hostility. Who in their right mind thinks nursing school is easy? Even getting into nursing school competitive and academically challenging.

Like I said, if everyone seems to want more BSN level nurses, there should be better access to BSN university programs.

Once again, just which profession (not vocation) requires less than a Bachelor's degree? Our profession most definitely has a "fast track" for entry, since it doesn't mandate a Bachelor's degree.

Also, I didn't say nursing was a dumping ground for single mothers. That was from someone elses post.

[suzy253]

but you did say that you were tired of nursing being a dumping ground.
You don't know others....what they have sacrificed and given up to become an professional RN.

[nursebabygirl 08]

Originally Posted by suzy253

but you did say that you were tired of nursing being a dumping ground. Unfortunately, it seemed to have been edited out by one of the moderators. And if you're not putting down others without a BSN degree, why are your posts being edited?
You don't know others....what they have sacrificed and given up to become an professional RN.

It's easy to tell "others" what they should be doing and how they should be doing it. Whatever happened to praising a person for acomplishments done? As a teenage mother i decided to go two year college because it was a "smart" decision for me at the time. It allowed me to work fulltime and go to school at the same time.

[nursebabygirl 08]

[quote=ANPFNPGNP;2914937]

Originally Posted by NatashaFromOregon

Once again, just which profession (not vocation) requires less than a Bachelor's degree? Our profession most definitely has a "fast track" for entry, since it doesn't mandate a Bachelor's degree.

Also, I didn't say nursing was a dumping ground for single mothers. That was from someone elses post.

I beg to differ, you did make the statement that nursing was the "dumping ground" for single mothers