ADN/BSN Debate on the Floors?

[KristinWW]

Well, I see it here all the time but didn't think it happened in daily life until....

I'm a student but began working in a hospital to get my feet wet. The other nurses have been fabulous but the nurse managers who are ADN with MPH or other type of Masters told me that BSNs aren't as prepared as ADN, not enough clinical - you know the rest of the monologue! They also treat me different than they treat the ADN students. Does this happen everywhere? This is ridiculous!

Please, someone make me feel better quickly - it's going to be miserable to go thru clinicals with this management attitude.

[KristinWW]

I truly appreciate the responses here.

Since I posted I have now oriented to four areas and every RN (with the exception of managers) is an ADN, no BSNs. They are extremely nice, incredibly competent, and have been courteous and welcoming to me. However, I STILL get comments such as this: "it seems stupid to spend all that money for a BSN and the nurses are not trained any better".

It makes me question my decision constantly. It's not only a much larger financial investment, but a bigger physical as well - I will have to travel to a school much farther away.

I have children and it makes me feel guilty all the time to think I am spending money on myself for school, instead of on them. It really hurts when I hear these comments EVERY DAY because that's what runs through my head. Yet I don't have a choice - I'd never get into an ADN with my early grades from a previous BS degree. What else is there to do?

[LeesieBug]

"it seems stupid to spend all that money for a BSN and the nurses are not trained any better".

This would not engage me in a debate with someone. Why would I ever want to debate with someone who is too ignorant to see the value of education, of any kind. Nurses of all kinds are CONSTANTLY continuing ther education in various ways,and if they cannot see the value in that, they have a problem.

I would simply point out to them that it was unbelievably rude to imply that I am "stupid".

Don't change your plans because of the opinions of a select group of people, Kristen. I have always wanted a bachelor's degree for my own personal satisfaction, and the comments of others will not prevent me from achieving my goal.

By the way...don't feel guilty about spending money on education. What better example could you set for your children than to actively show them that education is important, and that it IS possible to make your dreams a reality?

[MisterArnold]

Here's how I see it. We all have something to offer the healthcare profession. Our main job is helping the patient recover from whatever illness or injury they are suffering. The patient care tech, LPN, ADN, BSN, MD, PT, RT, dietician, housekeeping, pharmacy, and supply personnel all contribute to the same goal. I have as much respect for the patient care tech as I do for the case manager. I don't care what your educational background is - I'm judging you on how well you do your job. I'm choosing the BSN route because I may want an advance degree - not because I want to feel superior to anyone. We need to quit defending our choices. It all boils down to are we helping the patient.