Why there is a debate re: ADN/BSN

[Berkeley]

The government (military and VA) differentiate between nurses with an ADN and those with a BSN. The ANA differentiates between them, but the civilian industry does not. If the civilian hospitals ever decided that there isn't a nursing shortage and only show interest in hiring those with BSNs, all the junior colleges will dry up overnight.

I personally knew a captain in the Air Force a while back (I think it was a previous life :) ) who only had an ADN. But at that time the military really needed nurses, so they commissoned ADNs not on their eductaion but on their professional liscense of RN.

It all depends on how bad they need nurses. End the nursing shortage with a bad economy and you'll end the ADN as an entry-level degree to professional nursing.

Do you think this is true?

[FUZZYHEAD]

WHY IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE DIFFERENTIATION ANYWAY? WHERE I WORK WE HAVE TWO SCHOOLS OF NURSING IN THE AREA AND WE CAN USUALLY TELL WHICH SCHOOL THE RN'S COME FROM BY THEIR ACTIONS. ON THE DAY OF HIRE IN, THE ADN'S CAN DO ANYTHING HANDS ON YOU NEED THEM TO DO. THE BSN'S WILL HAVE TO ASK TWO HUNDRED QUESTIONS AND THEN DOUBLE CHECK WITH SOMEONE BEFORE THEY CAN DO IT. I REALIZE THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL IS DIFFERENT BUT AT MY HOSPITAL - ON ANY GIVEN DAY - I WOULD TRUST MY OWN FAMILY WITH SOME OF THE "ADN'S" WITH NO QUALMS BEFORE SOME OF THE "BSN'S". AS A MATTER OF FACT THE ONLY SENTINEL EVENT I HAVE EVER WITNESSED HAPPENED TO A "BSN" PROFESSIONAL NURSE.

THIS IS A SILLY DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN NURSES (RN'S) IF YOU ASK ME. IT IS NOT THE EDUCATION YOU GET IN COLLEGE, IT IS THE EDUCATION YOU GET ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOSPITAL THAT DETERMINES WHAT KIND OF NURSE YOU ARE AND ANYONE WHO HAS WORKED IN A HOSPITAL KNOWS THAT.

[fergus51]

I have never understood why people think an educational differential is such a bad thing. I think experience should certainly be rewarded with increasing pay, and so should education. When I say education, I mean a variety of things including certification and degree. Education doesn't necessarily make a good nurse, and neither does experience for that matter, but I do think education is something that should be encouraged for all employees, especially considering the changing nature of health care. I think it's very dismissive to say to a person "Oh, sure you got certified, got a degree, became an ACLS teacher, took a course on computers, etc. but we don't think that's at all important". I don't think a differential is taking away from an ADN nurse who chooses not to pursue extra education (and I also think the hospital should pay for them to pursue courses, but that's another issue:)).

[SmilingBluEyes]

ADN weighing in here one more time:

ONE WHO BELIEVES IN EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENTIALS!!!!

Yes, I think people OUGHT to make more for each degree/cert they earn and maintain. I have NO "education" envy....if a person is motivated enough to pursue additional training/formal education, then there should be a REWARD for it.....and monetary rewards are very tangible.

And I agree with fergus; the hospitals SHOULD be willing to foot some of the costs in order for employees to pursue these things.