[SmilingBluEyes]

Originally Posted by WhatToDo

II don't like how nurses on this board think that a BSN that went through an accelerated program is somehow less experienced than a nurse that went through a traditional BSN program or ADN program.

Well, I am sorry you don't like it----- but that much is true. You cannot achieve the clinical experiences in ONE year you can in two or 3. That is just how it is. And yes, clinical experiences DO matter, a LOT. So yes, they are less-experienced than the generic BSN or ADN is. That is how it is. It's not an attack, just a truth. NO one said it's not something that cannot be overcome, it can. But it's the truth that the accelerated BSN comes out MUCH less experienced clinically than the generic one.

[Michele G.]

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?

Hello...about the NCLEX, you really cant go by how many questions you got, it is random on how many they give each individual. When I graduated and took the NCLEX, this is how it worked for my group. The day I had my NCLEX all the people I know that had it the same day got the most questions...I think it was around the 265, and we ALL passed. A couple of my other friends went on a different day, and got 75 questions, and ALL passed, I also spoke to other classmates and all had different amount of questions and ALL passed, out of our whole class of 75 students...only one failed, unfortunately I dont know how many questions she got, becasue she didnt even tell everyone that she failed . So hang in there, I'm sure you did well, keep us posted.
Michele

[das]

I laugh so hard everytime this topic comes up! Don't worry about what others think, do it for yourself, if you feel the need. Work hard to be the best nurse you can be, care for your patients, co-workers and yourself. Share your knowledge base and inspire others to do the same. Time to get off the soap box now. deb

[Namaste4All]

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.

:hatparty:
Well, I wasn't around the first time this thread went around so I'd like to put my two cents in now.

1) You shouldn't care about what people think of the letters after your name as much as your ability. Certainly, if you feel that you have more to learn (and there always is) then go about it in any manner available. There are plenty of opportunities to continue learning without official education.

2) I have many friends with BSN's and ADn's. The BSN's have all expressed feeling LESS prepared for the floor. They were full of theory but didn't get the clinical experience they had expected and felt very uneasy when they began their careers (as most nurses do).

3) You only get out of the program what you put into it. In my classes (ADN) there are people with masters degrees (including myself) and bachleors degrees. Some folks with other masters degrees are total slackers just getting by and don't really care. The top student in our class has no other college experience, but has the books memorized, a great bedside manner, and a sincere committment to being the best RN with an ADN or BSN.

4) I have experienced a lot of different nurses as teachers on the floor. I have seen great nurses with ADN's and great nurses with BSN's. I have also seen BSN's be total slackers and tell the students, "you won't need all that book stuff (pathophys) down the road, so don't stress on it." I have seen the best and worst in both ADN's and BSN's. I have to say that the best floor nurse I have worked with, the most knowledgeable, and the best teacher was indeed an ADN.

Sorry for the poor grammer and/ or spelling. I was never very good at that. Although I do have a masters and I have written many scientific papers I always had friends edit them for me. That's the professional thing to do. I probably use the wrong fork for my salads too. I have spent more time being certain that I have the right needle and med instead.

Going for my M.S.N.

[lil_judt]

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.

Stacy.. I am a ADN RN. In the days of old we filled the various positions that were held now by only BSN Nurses!
We took the same boards and passed. Nonone said get a specilaty....this is some 13 years after I have graduated and now everyonew wants the BS Nurse and if youlook at what we filled in as the LPN has wqe are needed now more than ever. If I were younger or had someone offer me a scholarship to continue on...I would.
Anyone out there offering scholarships?? Cause if you want the nurse to continue school you have to provide the funding..and....(may I say) not only from those who are already students but to us who want to improve ourselves and continue on. And, about the LPN... she needs to stay. We need as much support fromall the nurses..not just the BSNs or the ADNs or the LPNs...we are too divided. Lets all get together and maintain a groupthat sticks up for NURSES. Hey, we all need the support!!!!

[queenrn2000@yahoo.co]

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.

I have been an LPN and now an RN for over 30 years,, have worked in many fields and positions,, my experience has been, give me an ADN over a BSN new grad any day,, they have much more experience and don't come to their jobs with a big chip on their shoulders. After about 2 yrs,, they all either make it or break it. And as for the rude insult over how people talk and you think you can tell if they have an ADN or BSN.. I have known people with Doctrates, Masters, etc,, who verbal and writting skills are totally inadequate. Good luck in your nursing career. Depending on the type of nursing you want, depends on your education. But many many places do not differ, we ALL had to pass the same dang test...

[Michele G.]

Originally Posted by SmilingBluEyes

Well, I am sorry you don't like it----- but that much is true. You cannot achieve the clinical experiences in ONE year you can in two or 3. That is just how it is. And yes, clinical experiences DO matter, a LOT. So yes, they are less-experienced than the generic BSN or ADN is. That is how it is. It's not an attack, just a truth. NO one said it's not something that cannot be overcome, it can. But it's the truth that the accelerated BSN comes out MUCH less experienced clinically than the generic one.

I dont know what you are talking about, because I did have 2 years of clinical experience, and I dont have a BSN. Also, in Florida the BSN program only gave their students 1 year of clinical experience, and they were only on the floor for 4 hours 2x a week, in my program we were on the floors for atleast 8 hours sometimes full shifts (12hrs) 2-3 times a week. I know of some people who wished they went to my school instead of the BSN school, because we did learn more, and the school was well known for it's nursing program. All the hospitals we went to, the nurses rather have a student from our school than one from the BSN school, taking care of their patients. I worked with some BSN students who just don't know as much as the ASN nurses, so it really comes down to experience!!!
I know so many people who did not graduate from college and are 10x smarter than people with BSN and Master degrees, and that is becasue they worked 10x harder and have more experience, since they have been working since they were teenagers. I have a friend who has a BSN degree in education and going for her masters, and I really hate to say it, but she is not the smartest person around, she is very nieve and has no street smarts. I also have a friend who is a Medical Assistant, who has been doing it for many years, and she sometimes knows more than I do. Once again, it is not about how much education you have, it all comes down to EXPERIENCE!!!

Michele

[rosebud5]

This debate has been going on since BSN programs started. I am an RN (diploma school) with almost 30 years of clinical experience(in patient and ambulatory care). In that time I have come to realize that the "BEST" nurses are those whose use the education they have had to the best of their ability for the good of the patient. A million dollar education from the best school in the country doesn't guarantee the smartest or best prepared nurse. As a professional organization we will NEVER gain the respect or recognition we deserve untill we stop fighting and debating among ourselves. Nursing education should always grow and respond to the changing needs of a population and not rely on who or what deems a Professional. We are professional by virtue of our license not by what program we attended.

Originally Posted by Tommybabe

This whole "associate versus bachelor's" issue is dividing nurses apart. The assumption seems to be that associate nurses are only taking nursing courses, when that's not the case at all. At my school, nursing students have to take two english classes, history, two social science classes, math, and physical education, in addition to the three science classes for the nursing degree. And that's on top of the two years of nursing classes. That's not two years worth of liberal arts, but will a couple more literature and philosophy classes really make a difference in the way nurses perform their jobs? Not all of us can afford to go to four-year schools for a bachelor's degree, and since many nurses with associate degrees pass the same NCLEX exam, and are able to get hired, why shouldn't some nurses opt for an associate degree? If others want to get a bachelor's degree, then that's great for them, too. I know many nurses with "only" an associate degree, and they never had any problems getting a job, and are quite well-rounded.

[Michele G.]

Originally Posted by Namaste4All

:hatparty:
Well, I wasn't around the first time this thread went around so I'd like to put my two cents in now.

1) You shouldn't care about what people think of the letters after your name as much as your ability. Certainly, if you feel that you have more to learn (and there always is) then go about it in any manner available. There are plenty of opportunities to continue learning without official education.

2) I have many friends with BSN's and ADn's. The BSN's have all expressed feeling LESS prepared for the floor. They were full of theory but didn't get the clinical experience they had expected and felt very uneasy when they began their careers (as most nurses do).

3) You only get out of the program what you put into it. In my classes (ADN) there are people with masters degrees (including myself) and bachleors degrees. Some folks with other masters degrees are total slackers just getting by and don't really care. The top student in our class has no other college experience, but has the books memorized, a great bedside manner, and a sincere committment to being the best RN with an ADN or BSN.

4) I have experienced a lot of different nurses as teachers on the floor. I have seen great nurses with ADN's and great nurses with BSN's. I have also seen BSN's be total slackers and tell the students, "you won't need all that book stuff (pathophys) down the road, so don't stress on it." I have seen the best and worst in both ADN's and BSN's. I have to say that the best floor nurse I have worked with, the most knowledgeable, and the best teacher was indeed an ADN.

Sorry for the poor grammer and/ or spelling. I was never very good at that. Although I do have a masters and I have written many scientific papers I always had friends edit them for me. That's the professional thing to do. I probably use the wrong fork for my salads too. I have spent more time being certain that I have the right needle and med instead.

Going for my M.S.N.

I agree...well put. Thank You

Michele

[MyBlueSky]

ADNs are one of the reasons nursing cannot be considered a profession
I agree with the ANA in that the BSN should be the minimum level of education.