Everyone has an opionion, whats yours

fergus51 · Sep 2, 2001

That's OK JMP, everyone forgets about us..Sigh...

Here in my town LPNs are in LTC and the hospital, but only on certain floors at our facility. They work basically in med surg, doing baths and personal care. It's a 10 month course. They are not allowed to work in thr OR, ICU, ER, OB or PEDs. It is much more limiting here in Canada than in the US. There I sometimes didn't know who was the RN and who was the LPN. Here they do what your PCAs seem to do.

I'll still be at the bedside in 5 years. Just not a bedside in BC...

KC CHICK · Sep 3, 2001

As far as I know, in order to get specialty certifications, one must have a BSN and a few years' experience in the given specialty. I had also been under the impression during school that an ADN could obtain certification in a specialty. I found out recently- that's not true for all specialties. For example, I need to have 2 years of OR experience, a BSN, and pass an exam to get my CNOR (certified nurse operating room). While I gain my experience over the next two years I will be taking classes (mostly internet - I love technology!!) to bridge for my BSN to qualify. This will also benefit in the future if I ever choose to change specialties.

Yes, I am a proud ADN, however - some things cannot be accomplished without furthering my education.

shyviolet78, LPN, LVN · Sep 3, 2001

Only you can decide which degree fits your life best. I had planned on pursuing a BSN, since it only required one more semester than the ADN. But, I have to work a certain # of hours to make ends meet so I can't take 15 hours a semester and still maintain my grades. The BSN program I was considering required 15-17 hours a semester and all the courses were co-requisites, meaning you have to take them all together. The ADN program only requires 8-12 hours a semester, if I get all of the pre-reqs done first. I plan on taking the RN-BSN bridge as soon as I graduate, though. Also, I know an ADN nurse can be certified as a CCRN, not sure about other certifications. There is an on-going debate about which is better and all it serves to do is hurt feelings and divide everyone. Which is better for you depends on your future goals, degrees you currently hold, degree requirements/salary at the hopital you plan on working at, financial obligations, etc.

BrandyBSN · Sep 3, 2001

Well Said Violet

BrandyBSN

KristaB · Sep 3, 2001

Originally posted by shyviolet78
Which is better for you depends on your future goals, degrees you currently hold, degree requirements/salary at the hopital you plan on working at, financial obligations, etc.

Exactly. :)

I'd make the argument that getting an ADN first might be a better option for non-traditional students who have financial obligations. No way that the dollar (only $.50-.75 here, really) an hour more that BSNs make is going to make up for a year that I won't be able to work. I'll be able to work as an RN, making a very nice wage, while finishing my BSN (and I won't even go into how much tuition reimbursement I'll be able to get!). It would take 15 years (or more) to make up for the lost income ($1/hour x 40 hours x 52 weeks a year = $2080). My ADN program also offers the opportunity to get your LPN after the first year, but I won't go there.

Again, it all just depends on individual circumstances. I'll have my RN in 20 months, my BSN in 1-2 years after that, and I'll be able to earn an income while getting my BSN. I'm happy with the way I've chosen to do it. :)

Krista

craff1 · Sep 4, 2001

Front page of the Sacramento Bee, Sunday was a huge article about the nursing shortage. (Good news for our job outlooks!) But beyond the obvious which we smart ladies (and gents) already knew, they mentioned an MSN program offered by Merrit College that is open to grads from other subject matter. It is 2 & 1/2 years (the same as our BSN program at Sac State) plus 2 summers. I don't know what the prereq's are, or the cost, but I'm going to call in the morning and find out. The points you have all made are valid ones. I have argued back and forth with myself since I started the prereqs, if I could skip chem 2A and go into 2B then it would only take me one additional semester to do the BSN, but Sac state would not accept chem 3 in lieu of chem 2A, (grrr). The actual nursing program here is only 1 semester longer, it's the extra prereqs that would take me 2 semesters loger, total. Plus, it's more expensive. You make a good point about getting out, start to make money and let the hospital pay for the bsn bridge. It takes more semesters in school to do it that way, but it would be cheaper and faster. I don't know. It's very confusing. I love your page though. I read it whenever I have time, (which is shrinking since school started again like everyone else) . Thanks for your thoughts. I hope you all had a great day. check out Brandy's (Brandi? I forgot, sorry) stress discussion - it's uplifting!! Cheryl

Mito · Sep 8, 2001

Hi All,

In Canada here we call the ADN program, the diploma program and the post regarding Ontario and BC are dead on in this regard. When I was deciding which program to go into there were alot of factors that went into the decision such as:

Locotion of the program

Cost of the program

What my long-term goals where

My age and years left to work (38 BTW and many I hope)

Marital Status

What my research of all of the instituitions in my area revealed

After taking all of these into consideration I choose the 3 Year program at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario and I am very happy with it. The college, as of this year, is offering a joint Degree/Diploma program in partnership with Brock University. I won't be switching to this program but that is my decesion.

My advice is take your lifestyle in account before making any decision, and then pick the one that meets your goals the best. And reread JMP's post there is some excellent info there.

Mito

JMP · Sep 9, 2001

Minto

I read your post and was blown away!!!!! I am a recent grad of Loyalist and was so suprised to see you mentioned the school- I assume you are in second or third year?

I graduated in June and I am working in Kingston.

The local hospital where I did my clinicals held no interest for me.

I wanted the larger centre, teaching hospital with a fresh and progressive attitude. It is here in Kingston.

I often wonder how things are going with the Brock degree transition. I applied last year to Queens full time, was accepted but did not go. University, esp. full time is not in the cards now. I am making good money, getting excellent experience, both of which I need. I have started my degree thru Athabasca, and I am doing the critical care course at St. Lawerence College in Kingston. I wonder how the more mature students ( like me) will be able to move to Brock to finish their degree- after all, people who have husbands, kids, jobs, ect. would find it almost impossible to do it.

Another thing that crosses my mind, is the local hospital. Many of the grads from my year, left for larger centers, or are driving long distances to larger centers or went to the states ( not many, but some) so I wonder how they will contiue to staff that place when the grads are in St. Catherines???

Getting a good experience is so important after graduation. So is having a plan to get your degree. I find most employers are looking for continuing education. Or at least that you have a plan in place.

Hope all goes well at school this year. I heard many things are changing with the staff shuffles.

Let me know how it is going!

KC CHICK · Sep 22, 2001

When I posted here previously, I remarked that a BSN was needed in order to get my CNOR. I was researching the position of RNFA (registered nurse first assistant) and came across information regarding the CNOR exam. You are eligible w/an ADN!!! Whoopeee!

I am very interested in becoming a certified RNFA, so this means that I don't necessarily need my BSN in order to do this. ** one of the requirements for the RNFA exam is to have your CNOR.**

Anyway, thought I'd clear that up. You have so many options in nursing nowadays....regardless of ADN or BSN. It's absolutely wonderful.