[elizzy]

Originally Posted by Stacy W

My name is Stacy and i will be graduating in May with my ADN nursing degree. I was wondering what everyone thinks about nurses with ADN degrees? Do you think they should go on? Let me know what you all think.

This is a personal decision. I graduated with my ASN degree and have been an Neuro/MedSurg Trauma ICU nurse for 10 years. Never have I regretted not going on for my BSN, unless there is more in an administrative position that you are interested in.
Most RN's with Master's degrees go for their NP, CNS, etc....There's nothing wrong with higher education.
My mother always told me, "you can never go wrong with an investment in your education"
Good luck to you

[BETSRN]

<<I happen to believe that there's more clinical experience with the ASN program as opposed to a BSN. Alot of new BSN grads I work with have expressed their displeasure in the amount of theory they have had to study. They would have rather had more clinical experience. Most of them have never even inserted a foley, or seen a chest tube.[/quote]>>


I think there is no having to happen to believe this. It's a fact: take a look at any program (ADN vs. BSN program) and you will see the vast difference in clinical hours and the experiences within those clinical hours.

I have to laugh:especially about the foley comment. I had a nursing professor once who told an entire class of undergraduate nurses (I was taking the class in preparation for graduate work and was already a nurse) that she had never put a foley in until she worked in ICU. I found that sad and asked her (after class) if she was proud of that? I hope she was not. her point was that one didn't need to have the skills (that they would come). In some ways, I know that's true, but I still think that is an awful thing to put across to a group of nurses: the fact that they may not have to do that because a BSN grad may not be at the bedside.

I still feel that if BSN students had more clinical in addition to their classwork, we might have fewer nurses burning out.

I often wonder if a study has ever been done to study which type of nurse burns out the fastest: the BSN grad or the ADN (or hospital trained) nurse? My hypothesis would be the BSN grad is the first to bail and I would bet my license it is because of the stress that nurse feels about skill levels and the fact that as a student she/he was probably led to believe that bedside care was not to be done as a degreed RN. I still would like to see them make the BSN track a 5 year program. We talk about the necessity of critical thinking skills. Those are developed as one works at the bedside: NOT from a textbook!

[tntrn]

I would think that even the ADN nurses (she said with a wink, since she is one) have developed that sacred critical thinking art. Don't we do that automatically as we go about our work? Of course, it comes with experience. It can't be learned in a classroom.

As far as only BSN nurses being to carry on an intelligent conversation with other professionals: what hogwash, and I cleaned up my initial reaction to that one. What an elitist way to think. Is that an attitude that is taught while you're in BSN school? In my 28 years of experience, I find that I cannot distinguish the ADN's from the BSN's during conversation. Indeed, some of the younger BSN's I've known recently cannot spell, cannot pronounce drug names properly and in general are interested in partying more than anything else.

So we all have our experiences...and hopefully those who don't respect ADN's hopefully will have occasion to re-evaluate after actually having had some.

[cheerfuldoer]

Originally Posted by Stacy W

My name is Stacy and i will be graduating in May with my ADN nursing degree. I was wondering what everyone thinks about nurses with ADN degrees? Do you think they should go on? Let me know what you all think.

Well....I am an ADN nurse, and I think we're the best!!! :hatparty:

I can be as prejudice as I want about ADNs because we still make up the largest population of nurses in our country!

Should ANY degreed nurse continue their education? Of course they should IF that is what THEY wish to do for their own educational reasons.

Let us know when you pass your boards so we can congratulate you! May your journey be successful no matter whether YOU CHOOSE to pursue more nursing education or not!

[robynhood]

Originally Posted by The Veridican

Where I work, you don't know which nurses are ADNs or BSNs because it's not on our name badges. But in reality, as soon as you talk to someone on the floor, you can tell whether they've had two years or four years of education.

[
Puleeeze!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never heard such a comment. I have been an RN for 6 months and an LVN for 12 years and not once has anybody ever mentioned that they could tell how much education I had by the way I talked. Doctors and staff who do not know me personally have always assumed I was an RN and I never tried to hide the fact I was not. However, I can tell you I was able to tell a couple of nurses were BSN's at the last hospital I worked at. They were all from the latest batch of grads and the four letter words that came out of their mouths showed me that a four year degree does not guarantee class.
Enough said.

[cheerfuldoer]

Originally Posted by The Veridican

I don't think a BSN is necessary, but I do feel a nurse should have a bachelors degree in some field so they are educated enough to converse intelligently with the other members of the healthcare team (doctors, administrators, PTs, OTs, RTs, other nurses, etc.)............................................. .........................

Where I work, you don't know which nurses are ADNs or BSNs because it's not on our name badges. But in reality, as soon as you talk to someone on the floor, you can tell whether they've had two years or four years of education.

Just my two cents.

Veridican

Veridican....your "two cents" comments as stated above have an extremely narrow minded view -- not to mention being very judgemental on top of it all.


I have never been able to tell WHAT college degree a person has or doesn't have based on how they talk or express themselves, and I've worked with many people across the United States and overseas who have anywhere from a grade school education to a doctorate's degree.

Where do you get off putting people down this way!!!

[DDRN4me]

Originally Posted by tntrn

I would think that even the ADN nurses (she said with a wink, since she is one) have developed that sacred critical thinking art. Don't we do that automatically as we go about our work? Of course, it comes with experience. It can't be learned in a classroom.

As far as only BSN nurses being to carry on an intelligent conversation with other professionals: what hogwash, and I cleaned up my initial reaction to that one. What an elitist way to think. Is that an attitude that is taught while you're in BSN school? In my 28 years of experience, I find that I cannot distinguish the ADN's from the BSN's during conversation. Indeed, some of the younger BSN's I've known recently cannot spell, cannot pronounce drug names properly and in general are interested in partying more than anything else.

So we all have our experiences...and hopefully those who don't respect ADN's hopefully will have occasion to re-evaluate after actually having had some.

:hatparty: Couldnt have said that better myself...ADN after 18 years as an LPN, now in school for my bachelors because i WANT to, not because it will make me a better nurse...BSN is mostly theory and extraneous BS!

[Dixielee]

Well, how do you feel about Catholic nurses? Or diabetic nurses? Or single nurses?

Will we EVER get over this problem? As long as a nurse can pass the NCLEX, perform at a safe level and give quality care, who gives a rip what their background may be? In my ER we have over 100 nurses on the schedule. I can tell you the educational background of 3 of them, and I only know this because they are all in school now. As for competence, some I work with are great, and some are mediocre. I can't believe I am even responding to this.

[Claver]

I feel compelled to respond and then I feel why bother?. If as nurses we are going to have this old argument when NO MATTER WHAT DEGREE - WE ALL HAVE TO PASS THE SAME STATE BOARDS!!!!!

[jeepgirl]

Originally Posted by DutchgirlRN

Sorry couldn't resist, I've been looking for an opportunity to use this dead horse !

While on the dead horse subject..... I'd like to use it for the "NCLEX- Help I think I failed", "Shut off at 265 I know I failed", "Shut off at 75 I'm convinced I failed". I don't mean to sound crass but doesn't anyone ever search the site first before getting panic stricken?

I'm snorting because I'm laughing so hard right now.