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O.K. let's kick around this whole ADN/BSN controversy, shall we? I'm still deciding. I had pretty much decided to go ADN, but I am only lacking in Chem and pharmacology to do the BSN program. The bsn program in CA is only 1 semester longer than the ADN program. Since I have a BA already, it would just be more expensive. What do you guys think? What have you heard? I've heard that you really only need to go BSN if you're looking to go into mgment. ADN's can become certified in a specialty. The big gap I hear is from ADN to LVN (LPN). (But people argue about that too.) Ladies, gents????

oh god... let not open up this can of worms.. please!!!

If you really want to know, try the search engine, there is a LOT listed.

BrandyBSN

Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Go for the BSN, it gives you more flexibility, and you never know where life will lead you. Just get it over with.:cool:

I agree with prmenrs, go for the BSN. I think they get paid a little better, and if you're only talking about one year, why not go for it now and get it out of the way? I'm currently in an ADN program, but have all the prereqs to go into a BSN program. Problem is, the closest BSN program is at least an hours drive from here. But there is a much closer campus for the same university that offers an RN to MSN track, and that's what I plan to do in the coming years.

"The worms crawl in the worms crawl out"!!!

That being said, your decision is your own. Ask around and surf the net for info. Prmenrs is right, BSN does give you more flexibility as far as options go. So, surf, surf, surf....ask ask ask!! Good luck in your decision!!

I prefer the BSN -- not because I want to go into mgmt (ICK!!!!!!!!!) but because I want to get my masters in midwifery. I can't go onto my masters w/o the Bachelors. :)

If you only have another semester to get BSN rather than ADN, I'd just go for it........ here the BSN is 2 years more than ADN, so I can see why some people would be hesitant.........

--zannie :)

ok, you all are brave, so I will post too :) NO FLAMES! :D

I do think that having a BSN is the best way to go. It gives you more flexability, and makes it much easier to enter a specialty area (ICU, ER, L&D) as soon as you graduate. Here, BSNs are paid more than ADNs, about a dollar an hour more, which really adds up over time. I am young (21), not married, no kids, no morgage to deal with. So spending 4 years getting my degree is relatively easy. All those nursing students who have kids amaze me, as I dont think i would be able to do that (i get distracted REALLY easy).

Canada is inacting a law that states that all RNs must have a 4 year degree. I believe it goes into effect next year, and I anticipate the US doing this some day too.

I also have NO idea of what I will want to do in the future. I would love to get my CRNA someday in the future, and a Bachelor's Degree is needed for that. I have also thought about going to Med School. I want to keep my options open.

Plus, even if I dont go back to school, I am very interested in management. I have even thought about getting a Master's in Hospital Administration. Lots to think about :)

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted a 4 year degree (I am the first in my family to go to college). I didnt even consider any other possibilities because I did not see a 2 year degree as a personal option. That is just me though, and my family values. Each is different, and must make their educational decisions for themselves.

Good Luck!

BrandyBSN

Brandy

Canada has proviences, just like the US has states. Canada has not decided that BScN is now entry to practice. Ontario has. Ontario ( the College of Nurses of Ontario) has made the decision to make it maditory for anyone writing the RN to have a degree by Jan. 1, 2005. That means that this year is the last diploma program. In Ontario diploma programs are 3 years long and BScN are four years long.

Other provinces have tried to do the same thing. For example, Manitoba, Alberta. However, some provinces, like Manitoba have had to back off and bring back the diploma programs. WHY? Well, the nursing shortage of course!

Nursing enrollment has steadily been in a decline for the last decade. In the US as well as Canada. It is tough job. It is a demanding job. I understand you are a student, but believe me when I tell you it is very DEMANDING role. LOTs of stress, responsibility and not that much money when you look at the role and responsibility that goes with it.

I work in a large teaching hospital, I have a three year diploma that included 1700 hours of clinical time. I am enrolled in a critical care program ( one year part time) and I am doing my degree by distance. I am a fairly recent grad- who went back to school relatively late in life. I work side by side with BScN grads who had four years and about 550 hours of clinical time. The BScN grads take much longer to orientate, adjust and come to grips with the way the "real world" works. Some don't make it through orientation.

One of the solutions to the nursing shortage, in my never to be humble thoughts, is to make nursing education accessible to everyone who wants it, has the right attitude and grades. I work with both BScN grads, diploma grads and I can tell you that it makes NO difference. However, if you want to do your masters, work in management or teaching.....then start with your BScN. Because having your masters is what you need today to do either..........at least around my neck of the woods.

I have found that technically (at least at my school) it does take three years for an ADN. Although the only prerequisites that must be done prior to the nursing program are A&P1 and college algebra or statistics, there seems to be enough competition that it is the applicants that have completed the most of their prerequisites that usually have the upper hand. So the first year you take care of the prereqs and then pray that you can enter the nursing program in year 2. As stated by Caroline, sometimes due to distance, you many not have that much of a choice between the ADN and BSN. So in essence, the BSN nurses only have one additional year of school.

Hey JMP, don't forget us westerners! It's become the minimum here in BC too and they are actually talking about not having LPN programs anymore! I know it's also the min. in PEI. Nursing is becoming more focused on "education rather than training". There seems to be a feeling among some that a unified level of entry will get rid of the education arguments among nurses and make us be seen as more professional. Personally I got the BSN because it does allow for more flexibility. A lot of job openings here require the BSN and it is a good idea to get it if you ever want to become a NP of any kind, go into management or even education. Bedside nursing is what I love, but I think my body won't be able to take it for 40 years.

If it's only 2 extra classes I think you would be nuts not to get it. Management positions here and a lot of the NP programs require that you have a Masters in Nursing and for many of those programs you need a BSN. A BA in another field gets you nothing in some of the programs, so if you ever want to get into these areas I would definitely get the BSN. Have you thought about doing the extra semestre by distance ed. or getting the ADN and then working at a hospital that provides tuition reimbursement for nurses trying to get their BSN?

Sorry Fergus!!!!!!! I of course, forgot about BC! Yikes! Of course you are right! Education is NEVER a bad idea or a waste of time- esp. in nursing.

I struggle all the time with what to do personally- but one thing is for sure- I want and need my degree if I ever want to leave the bedside.

Which makes me wonder , just who will be at the bedside in say, 10 years? Or even 5 years? It makes me crazy to think about it.

I did not know that BC was thinking about getting rid of the LPN's? I know at the hospital where I am, we do primary nursing. NO RPN's anywhere, except in long term care. We have PCA (pt. care aides) who help with baths, turns, answer bells, etc. As primary nurses we have up to five or six pts and are responsible for everything, all meds, blood collection, orders, dressings, etc. So I guess around here the RPN's work LTC, community or ? umm, I guess that is all they can do.

The ontario government ( College of Nurses of Ontario) are now changing the RPN program to two full years.....so it will be diploma based. Interesting, considering their roles around my neck of woods.

I agree with you that education has become more of an education not training. One of my teachers last year told me you train dogs, not nurses.

Ontario! YES! that is what it was... i knew i had read that somewhere.

Thanks!

BrandyBSN

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