ADN or BSN?

[futrnurse]

I am taking a poll for a project in my nursing class. I am interested in seeing if RN's think that you should have a BSN to practice nursing. Please vote I will use the results in my presentation.

thank you

futrnurse

[joyrochelle]

hmmm....I myself am an ADN student...graduating this spring..(i feel like you all should know that by now due to my repeating it so often, what can i say...excited am i!)

anyway-- not that this is anything new, but I, too, think that until facilities can offer more tuition assistance, flexibility for classwork, and better educational accessibility, the ADN is by far a very valid method to obtain licensure.

Most staff RN's decalre preference for ADN nurses ( perhaps primarily for their clinical experiences and therefore improved bad side capabilities OUT OF SCHOOL). ADN's make up more than 60% of the nurse population in US, and if the higher up's want to do anything about this nursing shortage, they had better recognize this. Plus ADN's are primarily adult learners, which doesn't necessarily mean better learners, but there is good chance that they have acquired a degree in another field prior to this schooling. ALl of this information I have learned on the website for associate nurses association...http://www.noadn.org/about.htm

----somewhat venty ADN student who plans on obtaining her MSN, but wishes to stop being knocked for her hard work as an ADN student cum GN.....

[pauls-gal]

I do not have a degree. I went to a diploma program (probably extinct by now). I would however encourage anyone entering this field to get at least a BSN. If you want to advance, a degree is a must

[T.Bird]

I have a nursing diploma and I am half way through a BSN program. While I am greatful for the hands on experience I received in my diploma program, I realize that a BSN affords me a more rounded approach and I am beginning to see the big picture instead of being solely task oriented. I have no intention of ever being in a managerial position, however I strongly beleive that BSN gives our profession more crediblity and respect, and idealy would like to see a program that combines both approaches.

[MQ Edna]

I agree with T-Bird. My program did combine both approaches--however, it was 48 months long. That's 48 months of classes, clinicals, etc., back in the 60's.

My concern is that a BSN program can be much more expensive--is the nurse compensated for the money (and time) required to get the degree?

[JamDix]

As a (hopefully) soon-to-graduate ADN, I would like to observe the following:

ADN grads take the SAME boards that the BSN does.

MOST hospitals pay each the same salary.

Unless you want to go into supervision, or take a Masters in a specialty area, your degree level remains mostly smoke and mirrors.

Prior to going into nursing, I had over 30 years in the health care field. The first BSN I ran into, didn't know what to do with a thermometer. Perhaps she could quote a chapter on what an elevated or depressed temp means, but unless you can get it, well....

[CALO511]

I graduated on 1974 from an ADN program and, in my 28 years of practice, I had found that ADN nurses are as assertive as BSN nurses, but with better clinical skills. When I went to ADN school, THE 'WHY" were answered as well as good on hand skills. As a matter of fact, 95% of ADN nurses passed the State Boards on the first time compare to only 75% of the BSN nurses.

I feel that if the Nursing Board wants all RN to have BSN they have to change their requirements to help ADN nurses comply with the law. In my experience I had found it very hard to get my BSN. When I graduated from nursing I graduated top of my class with with over 140 credits due to the fact I had two years of pre-medicine before I enter the program. By the time I was able to go back to school I was married with four children. Every college I applied to will only accept 11 credits. My years of experience didn't count. I chose to get a degree in business since my goal is to enter into management and teaching. Business school, at an university in NY accepted 97 of my credit and I graduated top of the class again. I have been trying to get a MSN yet with no BSN its impossible. Most graduate schools accepts students with BS/BA in other areas, even to attend Medical School you don't have to have a biology major, but not nursing.

In the job arena is not any better. I had found experience doesn't count either. I have applied for positions in management and education, for which I'm more than qualified, and they had been given to brand new graduates with no experience just because they have a BSN and I don't.

Most nurses today are opting to get their BSN and go right to MSN and from there to teaching with no clinical experience. But nursing is much more than theory. Experience teaches us skills that you will never find in a test book or classroom.

Degrees are important, but they should be complimented with experience. Today we have a shortage of nurses in hospitals as well as for instructors/teachers in nursing schools. If the Board of nurses doesn't become more flexible, this shortage will continue for a long time. There is a big pool of experienced nurses that have just given up fighting the system. I don't think the solution is with the employers. As it is today, most employers offer tuition reinbursements and some even bring the school to the job site. I feel the solution is with the Nursing Board.

The Nursing Board should:

Make easier the transition from ADN to BSN to experienced/working RNs. Give credits for experience.

ADN RNs with BS/BA in other areas should be accepted into MSN programs as if they have a BSN, same requirement, same rules.

ADN RNs with BS/BA degrees should be treated as BSN nurses. We have reach an age of diversity and we should welcome this diversity into our profession. After all, they are both professionals. Today nursing is much more than patient care, it is management, accounting, budgeting, law, and many other issues not taught in 4 years of nursing school.

Nursing school should look at experienced ADN RNs with degrees in other areas as BSN nurses. Allow them to give to other their knowledge and ease their path toward their MSN.

I love nursing and in my 28 years of experience, I have accomplished many goals, developed programs, participated in endless educational activities for patients and co workers. My dream is to teach nursing in the college level, but without a minmum of a BSN degree, I'm not allowed to do so. All my experiences and knowledge will go to waste. I'm 49 years old and studying part-time will take me another lifetime to finish my degree; therefore, as many other nurses in my situation, I have chosen to leave my profession and move on into another path.

[Gomer]

...these were the best...whatever happened to them?

[IndyHHRN]

I am ADN, stats show 58% of all RNs are diploma/ADN, 26% BSN, 9% MSN, and 6% doctorite prepared. Further more the pay for an ADN compared to a BSN is about 2% pts difference. How much money do you think could be made by making all the ADN's go back for a BSN?? Do you think universities(especially those web based) have had any input? I say we have all taken the same exam and passed. People forget an ADN is not a 2year degree. It takes 3 full years to obtain an ADN. I like the idea of grandfathering in nurses with years of experience if they do make it mandatory (but then where would the universities get more money?)