Does it have to be a BSN?

[szccdw]

I plan on continuing my education after i finish this ADN program. I would like to get my Bachelors in Social Work or Community Health Education though. Will this stop me from being able to be considered for higher level positions since it's not a BSN? I want to be able to move up in my career and don't want to do anything that might hinder that. Thanks for any input you can give.

[Stargazer]

If you're primarily interested in health care administration, I don't see why having a BS in a related field other than nursing specifically would hurt you. In some cases I think it would be considered an asset, as it demonstrates more of a breadth of viewpoint and experience than nursing alone.

[llg, PhD, RN]

It depends on exactly what job you will want in the future and the availabilty of qualified candidates at the time you apply. If you will want a job at which NURSING expertise is a key factor - and/or you work in an environment where NURSING expertise is highly valued -- then, yes, a BSN would most likely be preferred over other degrees. If there are lots of candidates for the job you want who have that preferred degree, you will be at a disadvantage.

Any job that includes a component of teaching nursing or developing nursing policy/procedure or that includes you being accepted by nurses as representing them as nurses will probably be one for which a BSN is preferred, if not a Master's in nursing. The question wil be asked, "How can you be an expert in nursing if you only have a beginner-level education in the field?" You will need to be prepared to answer that question because you will be competing against applicants whose NURSING education is at a higher level than yours.

However, if the types of jobs you will want in the future will NOT require/emphasize NURSING knowledge and expertise, then a degree in a second field might not be a disadvantage. For example, if you want to do community health education, then a degree in that field would be highly valued. If you want to run certain types of agencies, a health administration or business degree would be beneficial.

So, as with many questions on this board, there is not a "one size fits all" answer. It depends on exactly what it is that you will want to do in the future. None of us can no for sure what you will want to do in the future and what the competition will be for that job you wish to apply for. All you can do is make your best estimate of your personal interests and make a decision based on that.

Good luck,

llg

[mattsmom81]

I see a lot of demand for the BSN today, and it seems to be the basis on which nurses are judged worthy for many nursing positions. I don't necessarily agree with this but it is a fact.

I always encourage nurses to get the BSN if they can swing it...before your credits get too old and you have to retake them...before life gets in the way of your personal goals, etc.

I know many nurses who regret never pursuing the BSN when they were younger (like myself) but I don't really know anyone who regrets going for it. :)

BSN seems to be where RN entry level is headed...so may as well get a leg up if you can possibly swing it now. JMHO.

Good luck to you and let us know what you decide. A bachelors degree is never wasted of course but you need to make sure you are getting what you need from the degree too.