How important is it to get a BSN?

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by matcha-cat
  7,388 Views   42 Comments
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  1. I often hear about how important it is to get a BSN, and that a lot of hospitals are often looking for new grads who have a BSN degree, as that's something that they're trying to phase in.

    I was wondering, how essential is it for new nurses to get a BSN over just a RN degree? I do plan on eventually getting a BSN, but I'm just curious.
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  2. 42 Comments

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  3. by caliotter3
    Jul 16
    If you get the BSN from the beginning, you will be more employable from the beginning, won't have to take the trouble to 'catch up' in the future, and will save money.
  4. by Simplistic
    Jul 17
    Its not that important. Its all about the $$$
  5. by AceOfHearts<3
    Jul 17
    Depends on your market. In some places nurses can get acute care jobs without a BSN with no problem and in other areas it's near impossible.
  6. by Luckyyou
    Jul 17
    Nobody will ever not hire you because you DO have a BSN, but it's possible (and highly likely in many job markets) that you'll get passed over for NOT having one.
  7. by OsceanSN2019
    Jul 17
    I think it just really matter with your location and if you will be in a rural area to get that 1st year of experience. Living in a big city as a new grad without a BSN might become a huge problem for you without any connections.
  8. by direw0lf
    Jul 17
    In my local hospitals they are giving the nurses a limited amount of time to start working on their BSN. They are paying a certain amount for their education per year. But the thing is there is a nurse for 15 years who is excellent and now she's going for her BSN and learning how to...be a better nurse? I think not! But for the magnet status, the hospitals want BSN's.

    Edit: I do think that my bsn education has helped me somewhat I'm not saying it's worthless. It just seems that way when I look at the excellent nurses who per hospital demand need to go back for it 15, 20 years later.
  9. by matcha-cat
    Jul 17
    Thanks for all of your comments! I thought perhaps what I heard concerning the importance of getting a BSN was maybe a bit overblown, but I see now that it's pretty much necessary. Thank you for your input
  10. by llg
    Jul 17
    Quote from direw0lf
    In my local hospitals they are giving the nurses a limited amount of time to start working on their BSN. They are paying a certain amount for their education per year. But the thing is there is a nurse for 15 years who is excellent and now she's going for her BSN and learning how to...be a better nurse? I think not! But for the magnet status, the hospitals want BSN's.

    Edit: I do think that my bsn education has helped me somewhat I'm not saying it's worthless. It just seems that way when I look at the excellent nurses who per hospital demand need to go back for it 15, 20 years later.
    I do a little teaching in an RN to BSN program and many of my students have years of bedside experience. If the experienced nurse goes into a program with a positive attitude and "looks to learn," he/she can learn a lot. I see it in my students every semester. They often come into my classes knowing very little about research and theory -- but graduate with far greater understanding of nursing knowledge and the ability to understand and evaluate what they read in journals. Many tell me they had no idea how much they didn't know before they took the program.
  11. by matcha-cat
    Jul 17
    Quote from llg
    I do a little teaching in an RN to BSN program and many of my students have years of bedside experience. If the experienced nurse goes into a program with a positive attitude and "looks to learn," he/she can learn a lot. I see it in my students every semester. They often come into my classes knowing very little about research and theory -- but graduate with far greater understanding of nursing knowledge and the ability to understand and evaluate what they read in journals. Many tell me they had no idea how much they didn't know before they took the program.
    Wow, that's really interesting to hear. I didn't know too much about the BSN program. I was told that it was more for like preparing you for management roles, and I never really looked into what it was about. That's exciting to hear!

    EDIT: Of course the programs may differ depending on the school, but I'm sure it's the same idea, no?
    Last edit by matcha-cat on Jul 17 : Reason: P.S.
  12. by shibaowner
    Jul 17
    More and more hospitals are requiring a BSN. Studies have shown that BSN prepared nurses have better outcomes, so that is the reason for the requirement. You can start out as an ADN then do a bridge program to get your BSN. Many employers will help with the cost.
  13. by matcha-cat
    Jul 17
    That's excellent to hear. And I think I heard about a BSN being linked to better patient outcomes, so I suppose it makes sense that they're implementing that requirement.
  14. by caliotter3
    Jul 17
    The BSN was identified as the entry level for professional nursing at least around sixty years ago, as I read in sources around that time. It just has never been implemented in full force in the US. I don't expect to be around to see what the situation will be in another sixty years.

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