Associate vs. Baccalaureate degrees in Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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We are interested in discussing the differences between Registered Nurses with Associate degrees in nursing (ADN) and those with baccalaureate degrees in Nursing (BSN).

Some individuals believe that ADN prepared nurses have had more clinical experience throughout their schooling, leading to increased skills proficiency. On the other hand, many BSN programs tend to stress community health, research, leadership and management, as well as theory based practice.

What do you believe the differences are (education and workplace) between an ADN degree and a BSN degree? If you have your ADN, whould you consider returning to school to obtain your BSN? If so, why? What were the motivating factors in your choice of selecting an ADN or BSN program? We are looking forward to your input!

Good God, people. Didn't we just go through like a WEEK of this back and forth crap about BSN vs ADN vs LPN vs diploma??? I for one am sick and tired of the whole thing. If you nursing students are interested in this topic, click on general nursing discussion and click on 'BSN minimum requirement.' A nice, hostile, lovely little thread that served as ample battlegrounds for half the posters on this board. ENOUGH, ALREADY!! This is so stupid, y'all.

Good God, people. Didn't we just go through like a WEEK of this back and forth crap about BSN vs ADN vs LPN vs diploma??? I for one am sick and tired of the whole thing. If you nursing students are interested in this topic, click on general nursing discussion and click on 'BSN minimum requirement.' A nice, hostile, lovely little thread that served as ample battlegrounds for half the posters on this board. ENOUGH, ALREADY!! This is so stupid, y'all.

Originally posted by kday:

Good God, people. Didn't we just go through like a WEEK of this back and forth crap about BSN vs ADN vs LPN vs diploma??? I for one am sick and tired of the whole thing. If you nursing students are interested in this topic, click on general nursing discussion and click on 'BSN minimum requirement.' A nice, hostile, lovely little thread that served as ample battlegrounds for half the posters on this board. ENOUGH, ALREADY!! This is so stupid, y'all.

AMEN!!!!!

[This message has been edited by maikranz (edited March 28, 2001).]

Originally posted by kday:

Good God, people. Didn't we just go through like a WEEK of this back and forth crap about BSN vs ADN vs LPN vs diploma??? I for one am sick and tired of the whole thing. If you nursing students are interested in this topic, click on general nursing discussion and click on 'BSN minimum requirement.' A nice, hostile, lovely little thread that served as ample battlegrounds for half the posters on this board. ENOUGH, ALREADY!! This is so stupid, y'all.

AMEN!!!!!

[This message has been edited by maikranz (edited March 28, 2001).]

Specializes in LDRP; Education.

Ummm.. Ihave to agree. Take it from me. People get really defensive when talking about thier educational backgrounds and career choices. Unfortunately it is a topic that is brought up many times in journal after journal - there are also alot of misconceptions about each track. Think about how confused WE get and how each of us doesn't really know what the other nurse knows or went through - now try to see that through the eyes of a patient. I've had several patients ask me what the difference is between an ADN, a BSN, and RN, and LPN. Sometimes, I don't think I even know. My husband has been reading these posts as well. Oddly enough, he graduated with a BSN. He never sat for boards and left nursing entirely to work in Information Systems. He told me that it is this kind of bickering and bashing that made the profession seem unattractive to him. While we can probably all criticize him, we should actually learn from his opinion. This could be why we are seeing a decline in nursing school enrollment.

I'm sure I'll AGAIN take some heat for this post, but the few that do simply read my words and not between the lines may start to see what I'm saying.

[This message has been edited by Susy K (edited March 28, 2001).]

Specializes in LDRP; Education.

Ummm.. Ihave to agree. Take it from me. People get really defensive when talking about thier educational backgrounds and career choices. Unfortunately it is a topic that is brought up many times in journal after journal - there are also alot of misconceptions about each track. Think about how confused WE get and how each of us doesn't really know what the other nurse knows or went through - now try to see that through the eyes of a patient. I've had several patients ask me what the difference is between an ADN, a BSN, and RN, and LPN. Sometimes, I don't think I even know. My husband has been reading these posts as well. Oddly enough, he graduated with a BSN. He never sat for boards and left nursing entirely to work in Information Systems. He told me that it is this kind of bickering and bashing that made the profession seem unattractive to him. While we can probably all criticize him, we should actually learn from his opinion. This could be why we are seeing a decline in nursing school enrollment.

I'm sure I'll AGAIN take some heat for this post, but the few that do simply read my words and not between the lines may start to see what I'm saying.

[This message has been edited by Susy K (edited March 28, 2001).]

Specializes in LDRP; Education.

Well put, Kaknurse. The classical music appreciation is part of why I believe in the college degree as well. I had to take a theology class, as well as computer programming (which actually taught us more about logic and problem solving than anything else) as well as a pottery and art history course. I believe the 4 year degree rounds you out and if nothing else, gives you the opportunity to talk about other topics with your patients - be it American History or classical music.

Specializes in LDRP; Education.

Well put, Kaknurse. The classical music appreciation is part of why I believe in the college degree as well. I had to take a theology class, as well as computer programming (which actually taught us more about logic and problem solving than anything else) as well as a pottery and art history course. I believe the 4 year degree rounds you out and if nothing else, gives you the opportunity to talk about other topics with your patients - be it American History or classical music.

I have a BS in elementary education, an AD in nursing, and am currently working on a BSN degree. One of my instructors in the AD program told our class that she did not regret the route she took to acquire a MS in nursing which was diploma, AD, BSN, and then MS. She said she sometimes finds it helpful to take one intersection at a time. That has stuck me over the years. I don't regret going the RN-BSN route. With the current nursing shortage and critical situation predicted for the near future, the nursing profession may not have a choice in the matter. We may be desperate for nurses and for some that means working toward an AD is the only feasible solution with their personal life situation. I do appreciate the well rounded education I am receiving in the BSN program. It is part of the puzzle that was missing in my experience but I don't think I could not be a nurse without it. Maybe we could give some leeway to students by creating a time element to finish the BSN after graduating from an AD program. (Just as there is a time limit on some of our classes to be eligible for transfer) We have to come together and find a solution that will be reasonable for everyone and that will not hinder patient care. Mlandon

[This message has been edited by mlandon (edited March 28, 2001).]

I have a BS in elementary education, an AD in nursing, and am currently working on a BSN degree. One of my instructors in the AD program told our class that she did not regret the route she took to acquire a MS in nursing which was diploma, AD, BSN, and then MS. She said she sometimes finds it helpful to take one intersection at a time. That has stuck me over the years. I don't regret going the RN-BSN route. With the current nursing shortage and critical situation predicted for the near future, the nursing profession may not have a choice in the matter. We may be desperate for nurses and for some that means working toward an AD is the only feasible solution with their personal life situation. I do appreciate the well rounded education I am receiving in the BSN program. It is part of the puzzle that was missing in my experience but I don't think I could not be a nurse without it. Maybe we could give some leeway to students by creating a time element to finish the BSN after graduating from an AD program. (Just as there is a time limit on some of our classes to be eligible for transfer) We have to come together and find a solution that will be reasonable for everyone and that will not hinder patient care. Mlandon

[This message has been edited by mlandon (edited March 28, 2001).]

Originally posted by SSUBSNSENIORS

For those of you in countries other than the United States, let us know how nursing education is structured in your country of residence. Are there different educational routes to becoming a nurse? How many years are your nursing programs? Etc...

Before I get to your question, let me say that a BSN is no different than an ADN who has a Bachelor's degree in another field. You will find many, especially the ANA, who will viciously disgaree, but if you take my Bachelor's transcript, add my ADN transcript, I have a total of 214 credits...significantly more than your typical 120-a35 credit BSN program. Additionally, I have courses in epidemeology, public health, research, statistics, Gen'l Chem, Bio-chem, Organic Chem, and calculus; statistics plus 16 credits in the biological sciences, and a blind man can see that not only do I have EVERY requirement that one would find in a BSN program, but a whole lot more...and we are not talking about my Master's degrees, which is another subject. Many hospital administrators don't care to acknowledge this extensive education, but choose to only see the letters BSN, hence $1.00 less an hour in pay. Should a BSN be a requirement for entry level nursing...hell no!!...not with the critical shortage we have. Should any Bachelors degree plus an ADN or Hospital school of nursing be the minimum requirement? Maybe, in the future.

Now to your question...my spouse is a South American trained RN, where the nurses attend a 5 year program, based on the medical model (the only model we should be concerned with). They are taught to diagnose..it's a URI, not alteration in comfort related to BS. The first four years are clinicals and didactics, followed by graduation with what we call a Bachelors degree. Than, before licensure, they spend a year of unpaid internship in an underserved area practicing nursing autonomously, providing nursing/medical care to indiginous peoples, dispensing medications, wound care/management to include suturing, labor and delivery, etc. Now that's what I call nursing education. These folks are way ahead of your typical NP programs here in the states. ;)

Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.
Originally posted by Susy K

I believe the 4 year degree rounds you out and if nothing else, gives you the opportunity to talk about other topics with your patients - be it American History or classical music. [/b]

I hope you're aren't saying that only BSN nurses can converse intelligently about other topics.

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