I'm not going to lie...

[StudentOfHealing]

Some people genuinely annoy me on here, I'm ALL for furthering education but dreading those of us who choose to start with our ADN is complete disrespect.

Had my mother been healthier (she has RA and her pain is becoming unbearable.... she's a massage therapist ... her hands are her money makers) I would have gone the BSN route.

There's nothing more that I want than to retire my poor old mom.

Going the BSN route would have meant

a) A further drive... lets just say our vehicles SUCK! My community college is even walking distance .. need be!!!

b) I would have had to pay 25K for the BSN... my ADN costs 5K.

c) Graduating later...I need to retire my mom... NOW ... she's 57 ... has HTN ... she's already had 2 hypertensive crises. Her RA puts her in awful pain

I appreciate higher education. I know I will bridge for my BSN and I plan to obtain my MSN by age 24.

I'm currently 20 and in my second semester.

side note: I hope that after I obtain my BSN THEN I will be qualified worthy of obtaining a job in the ICU. I will apply everywhere either way....

what do I have to lose? My friend graduated with her ADN and received a position as a NICU nurse... as a new grad!

I'm glad to say that everywhere I go the nurses truly enjoy us... and tell as graduates from our college make some good nurses.

For a community college we've done pretty well. Recently spent millions on a simulation lab... new lecture rooms... ect. I personally am learning a lot here and he best part is that if I graduate with a 3.0 I AUTOMATICALLY am accepted into UTMB upon applying because my college has a deal with them.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

As far as my state legislation is concerned .... no.

That's a preference not a state mandate.... as far I know.

Agreed. My childhood friend who is a ADN is a public health nurse...ADN programs in my area are equivalent in classes and clinical time, EXCEPT that ADN programs are missing the Research Nursing component, that's it. :)

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I get what you're saying, however, I can honestly tell you I'm thankful for some of those irrelevant to nursing classes. History helps put a global perspective to local issues. Literature helps broaden reading skill and ideas. Art creates a deeper understanding for creativity and gives topics that you might use to connect with an artist patient. Who knows, some of these might inspire a hobby, which is so important to keep from burning out after long and thankless shifts. Physical education simply adds more direct and applicable knowledge to the nursing skill set but also helps us experience how much better we feel after a good work out. The basic, non-a&p science courses help give a better background to us as scientists.

Are all of these things necessary? No. But do they help? Yes. The one class I thought would be most irrelevant (history) proves to be most relevant in my opinion. There is a reason for the social struggles within our culture and others we may encounter. Understanding that helps to remove prejudice that I may or may not be aware of walking into a room. I'm very thankful for all that I've learned, in nursing and non-nursing classes.

^agree...those "Art" components, to me, helped me put a more holistic view of the pt population that I serve, and just really made me pull it all together in my nursing practice...Although I practiced for years as a practical nurse and transitioning to a RN, I feel a increased sense of the philosophy behind human behavior from an ethical, cultural, regional, and religious standpoint. Those peices help me continue to strive and expand my experiences in my nursing practice, advocacy, and the like. It was worth the investment. :)

[BostonFNP, APRN]

The argument for an ADN entry is centered on the individual.

The argument for a BSN entry is centered on the profession.

Can we agree on that?

[Stephalump]

The argument for an ADN entry is centered on the individual.

The argument for a BSN entry is centered on the profession.

Can we agree on that?

I can agree with that. It's the nature of the argument. People arguing in favor of BSN entry have or have had access to BSN programs. They receive no benefit from more access to the profession - less is always better in terms of keeping your career valuable.

Those who cannot attend BSN programs have no reason to care about advancing the profession if they can't even enter it.

I just don't agree that BSN-entry is some sort of magical fix. If the market is over-saturated, wages will stay low, but employers (and employees, apparently) will continue to demand educational background be higher. Pretty soon we're in the same ranks as social work, business, and teaching. High levels of education and crappy salaries to match.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Nurses wages are quite high, at least in my area. There are not too many places where one can get a entry level job (with a AD/BS) over $30/hr and a three day a week full time job! It is well deserved and I hope it remains that way.

[PatMac10,RN, RN]

I can agree with that. It's the nature of the argument. People arguing in favor of BSN entry have or have had access to BSN programs. They receive no benefit from more access to the profession - less is always better in terms of keeping your career valuable.

Those who cannot attend BSN programs have no reason to care about advancing the profession if they can't even enter it.

I just don't agree that BSN-entry is some sort of magical fix. If the market is over-saturated, wages will stay low, but employers (and employees, apparently) will continue to demand educational background be higher. Pretty soon we're in the same ranks as social work, business, and teaching. High levels of education and crappy salaries to match.

Very good reasoning. Agree wholeheartedly.

[Anoetos, BSN, RN]

Where I work, an experienced ADN can get hired, but a new one will not. We hire new BSNs constantly though.

[PatMac10,RN, RN]

Where I work an experienced ADN can get hired, but a new one will not. We hire new BSNs constantly though.[/quote']

Usually when I hear of new grads having a hard time getting hired it is usually all new grads, both BSN and ADN. But, of course, that shows you how much various areas can differ.

Thankfully in my area most nursing students ADN and BSN interview and have a job secured before they even graduate. Thank God I live in rural SE NC.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Frankly, I am so very tired of this argument....this poor horse has been beaten to a pulp.

If a BSN is so "preferred" over a ADN...... why are accelerated BSN programs only 18 months to 2 years (the same length of the ADN).

For those who believe ADN's should have a BSN within 10 years. Does that mean all ANP's should go back to school and get the DNP in 10 years when the DNPbecomes the standard?

I just want the profession to make a decision and find one entry level degree if only to stop this discussion.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Frankly, I am so very tired of this argument....this poor horse has been beaten to a pulp.

If a BSN is so "preferred" over a ADN...... why are accelerated BSN programs only 18 months to 2 years (the same length of the ADN).

For those who believe ADN's should have a BSN within 10 years. Does that mean all ANP's should go back to school and get the DNP in 10 years when the DNPbecomes the standard?

I just want the profession to make a decision and find one entry level degree if only to stop this discussion.

^ Me too Esme, so the "myths" behind the paths to nursing, my clinical hours make me more prepared, the "well rounded" education makes it a better standard....BLAH BLAH BLAH...sigh...

Grandfather and grandmother our brethren and go from there already!!! ADN programs get an automatic bridge!!! If it can be simple so this can be fossilized in time and we can focus on what our talents can contribute to our already strong profession! :)

Who's with me???

[Kimynurse]

I'm not going to ague

Just putting my path up here

I'm proud I'm doing it this way, it works for ME

LPN 2009

In a traditions ADN RN program now 2012-2014

Then

BSN

NP

DNP

I might be a million when I'm done, but I don't care what anybody thinks

I'm a good nurse, and ALL nurses should continue to learn, not just get educated.

Good luck to everyone in their careers

[BostonFNP, APRN]

For those who believe ADN's should have a BSN within 10 years. Does that mean all ANP's should go back to school and get the DNP in 10 years when the DNPbecomes the standard?

Wholeheartedly.