Why do Nurses tell students to go BSN??

SubSippi · Sep 7, 2013

Seems to me the main reasons anyone would say go for the BSN first, is that you will have an easier time finding a job, and that bridging to a BSN is a huge pain in the butt while you're working full time, even if they help pay for it.

Also, something to think about...I know your primary concern is being able to afford the BSN, but since the job market isn't so great everywhere, that could mean in the future you are losing out on money while you're looking for work not getting paid yet. But there's clearly no way to know...seems like you already know what you want to do, good luck!

Anoetos, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2013

I got my BSN mostly on loans, but with a few grants and scholarships, as well as a decent veteran's discount. The program was a private "ground up" 8 semester deal including prereqs. Credit hours were about $480 each.

My current monthly note on the loans is about $350. I am working full time and it hasn't been a hardship, but my wife also works. On the other hand I have two kids to feed, clothe and educate.

YMMV

besaangel, ASN, BSN, MSN, CNA, RN, APRN, NP · Sep 7, 2013

So my reply got deleted :sorry: so I have to do it again lol...

Thanks for all the varying advice, opinions and thoughts. I inquired because even though there is more to my situation, its wise to hear about the experience of others, which can be very helpful.

I went to AA in Michigan and did all my sciences as pre-reqs for nursing. As Zoe92 mentioned, I go to UD and they have a traditional 4 year BSN program, i.e. there is no transferring in as a Junior. Honestly, I am one of the few people who has ever transferred into the school and then gotten a spot in the nursing program. Since they are traditional, like Wesley, NURS classes start from freshman years, so I will be a part-time student as I take these few core classes until next Fall. I am 1st semester Sophomore so I wont be a FT student until Junior year '14.

I cannot graduate UD prior to 2016. We are no longer allowed to take classes in the winter and summer semesters unless you are a Senior but that is because of capstones, research etc.

I guess where I am lost is if I wouldn't be able to graduate UD until 2016, what difference does it make if I go Del tech for 1 1/2 years then go back to UD to bridge. Its the same 2016 graduation timeline?! I'll have a BSN in 2016 and that's what I'm confused about.

My topic should have been Why do RNs tell students to go straight BSN vs ADN-BSN? Especially when the drop-out rate is the same in both programs, except in the BSN you are left with loans and debt and nothing to show except change of major possibilities... #not judging.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Sep 7, 2013

Do it now. We just found out that even though many of us will retire at our 30 year anniversary, our hospital will NOT hire us back without a BSN. Thankfully I have mine, but several of my coworkers do not. And the other 2 large hospitals in the area will not either.

besaangel, ASN, BSN, MSN, CNA, RN, APRN, NP · Sep 7, 2013

Believe it or not, I kinda like UD... I get that having a BSN gets you places so please don't get me wrong

Elizabeth Renee · Sep 7, 2013

Maybe twenty years ago, but that's really not the case anymore.
I personally would do whatever you can to avoid student loan debt as much as possible in this current job market. Student loan debt is NO LONGER a good investment!! I have read MYRIAD stories here of nurses who have accrued tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, and haven't been able to find work for a year or longer. There is no guarantee one can find work as a nurse after graduation.

I personally disagree. I would rather take out a loan that would fast-track me to a BSN (which in the end would make me marketable) than to just get my ADN and be less marketable, then having to go through the annoyance of bridging AND trying to find a job/work as a new nurse at the same time. And her entire BSN program costs $30k. That's not bad IMO.

Yes, you're going to be in debt, but I've never heard of an RN dilligently searching for work to NEVER find a job. Sure it may take a year for them to finally find something, but eventually they do. There is always an opportunity, you just have to dig to find it and fight for it.

Look OP - sounds like you know what you want to do, which is to bridge over to get your BSN. That's fine - just be aware that while it is financially cheaper, it's still going to "cost" you. It is a hassle and it's difficult to try and work as a new nurse and go through the bridge program. You will also need to force yourself from becoming complacent like I discussed earlier.

However, like someone else suggested, the benefit to that route is that you will graduate with both a BSN and some work as a nurse under your belt.

You just need to decide if the less expensive route is worth the extra work and stress. If it is, go for it. But sometimes, paying more for convenience is worth it, too. That's your call.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2013

My area BSN is not necessary unless you want management position.

Not true at all, and a very limited viewpoint.

Job opportunities: Although the old a-nurse-is-a-nurse-is-a-nurse attitude is fortunately fading away, at entry level for new grads, about the same, and I realize that people who are just starting out have a very incomplete idea of what it means to be a nurse. However, look around the place and see who's working. Are you planning to be older some day? Do you see older nurses working in those entry-level staff or charge positions? If not, where did they all go? Why do you care? Well, suppose you work on a general medical floor and get entranced by cardiac rehabilitation after following a patient who did it. A job comes up in the department, hooray! Oops, BSN only. Or you find your heart drawn to helping underserved women in a public health clinic for high-risk pregnancy. Sorry, BSN only in public health. After five or six years as a staff nurse you have become a resource to new hires and your peers and you realize you have a gift for teaching. You see that a position in staff development has come open, and you are first in line at HR to apply. You got it.... BSN is the minimum. School nursing? BSN. Hurt your back and want to go for a job in case management? BSN. You discover you have a gift for asking, "Why do we do it this way?" and are amazed to find you want to look into jobs in management or nursing research.....BSN minimum. And if you look at the regular old want ads for nurses in the paper, you will see more and more and more of them say "BSN preferred/ required." And if BSN is becoming "preferred/required," then exactly how is getting the BSN later going to help you now? You are starting to get the picture now. Also, many, many practice settings give you a differential for BSN. No, I know, not all, but hey. One more factor.

amoLucia · Sep 7, 2013

Haven't read all the responses but as to the question why is everyone directing you to the BSN -----

because WE ALL SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL!!! It's inevitable, it's a given, ain't no way getting around it! You might as well get it over with now. It won't be any cheaper; it won't be any easier; you won't be any younger; who knows how the job market will go and who knows how your life circumstances may go (better or worse)... You have some options now.

Sorry, but that's the way it's going!

All that was my rationale many, many years ago. I saw it coming back then, and I am ever so grateful that I did it then.

mclennan, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2013

Because: tooooooooo many people take the ADN program "intending" to bridge to BSN, and that slowdown in momentum between the two programs usually represents a snag that is never overcome.

I have worked with and known scores of ADN RNs who had every intention to get their BSN....but after busting ass in their 2 year program, then studying for NCLEX, passing, then getting some rank and file nurse job, the "bridge to BSN" got lost. They were TIRED. They got PREGNANT. They got MARRIED or DIVORCED or some such other life event happened, and most just got LAZY! Too often these nurses start working in the field, get a taste of the politics & hard work, discover nursing SUCKS, and get resentful when people suggest more education or their companies dare REQUIRE it.

That's why it's so imperative you just go straight through and get the BSN all in ONE GO, STRAIGHT THROUGH. You won't be as tempted to become complacent and put it off after ADN......"when I can afford it," "after the kids are old enough," "after I get married," "after my aging parents pass away," "when it's okay with my spouse," "when I crap gold bars," whatever. I'd say 3/4 of the nurses I work with now totally regret not just blasting all the way through a single BSN program, because the minute they stopped, life junk took a front seat.

Elizabeth Renee · Sep 7, 2013

Because: tooooooooo many people take the ADN program "intending" to bridge to BSN, and that slowdown in momentum between the two programs usually represents a snag that is never overcome.
I have worked with and known scores of ADN RNs who had every intention to get their BSN....but after busting ass in their 2 year program, then studying for NCLEX, passing, then getting some rank and file nurse job, the "bridge to BSN" got lost. They were TIRED. They got PREGNANT. They got MARRIED or DIVORCED or some such other life event happened, and most just got LAZY! Too often these nurses start working in the field, get a taste of the politics & hard work, discover nursing SUCKS, and get resentful when people suggest more education or their companies dare REQUIRE it.
That's why it's so imperative you just go straight through and get the BSN all in ONE GO, STRAIGHT THROUGH. You won't be as tempted to become complacent and put it off after ADN......"when I can afford it," "after the kids are old enough," "after I get married," "after my aging parents pass away," "when it's okay with my spouse," "when I crap gold bars," whatever. I'd say 3/4 of the nurses I work with now totally regret not just blasting all the way through a single BSN program, because the minute they stopped, life junk took a front seat.

THANK YOU. That's exactly what I was thinking, you just did a better job at putting it all out there.

And all for 30k? It's really not the end of the world to get a loan for that, I promise. I mean, that's kind of a deal from other numbers I've heard, lol. But again, it's up to you!

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 7, 2013

You know that saying, "life is what happens while you're making plans"? Yeah, that's why a lot of people are saying to go straight for the BSN.

You haven't even started school yet. That's at least 2 years before you're entering the job market if you go the ADN route. In the last 2 years, my facility has begun saying BSN preferred on all job postings. The only reason they haven't said required is because the college under the organization's large umbrella still offers an ADN program. Many other facilities are moving in that direction, and more will do so in the years you are in school.

In 2010, the Institute of Medicine published a report on nursing (The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health - Institute of Medicine) where they recommend that by 2020, 80% of the RN workforce hold at least a BSN. To meet this recommendation, many facilities are requiring new hires to have a BSN to even apply, requiring new hires to have a BSN within a certain number of years, and requiring current staff to have a BSN within a certain number of years.

By going straight to the BSN, you won't have to worry about life interfering with your plans, you will be more marketable, and you will be able to move up in the nursing hierarchy. Work and school at the same time is NOT easy. I am currently working full time in a job that requires a lot of call (50+ hours per week is the norm, not the exception) and attending school for my MSN full time. Believe me, it takes a lot of effort and sacrifice. I'm fortunate that I am single and childless, so it's not like I'm neglecting anybody.

It sounds like you've already made up your mind to do the ADN with a bridge to BSN. Just be prepared for the reality of the nursing employment environment once you graduate.

besaangel, ASN, BSN, MSN, CNA, RN, APRN, NP · Sep 7, 2013

Because: tooooooooo many people take the ADN program "intending" to bridge to BSN, and that slowdown in momentum between the two programs usually represents a snag that is never overcome.
I have worked with and known scores of ADN RNs who had every intention to get their BSN....but after busting ass in their 2 year program, then studying for NCLEX, passing, then getting some rank and file nurse job, the "bridge to BSN" got lost. They were TIRED. They got PREGNANT. They got MARRIED or DIVORCED or some such other life event happened, and most just got LAZY! Too often these nurses start working in the field, get a taste of the politics & hard work, discover nursing SUCKS, and get resentful when people suggest more education or their companies dare REQUIRE it.
That's why it's so imperative you just go straight through and get the BSN all in ONE GO, STRAIGHT THROUGH. You won't be as tempted to become complacent and put it off after ADN......"when I can afford it," "after the kids are old enough," "after I get married," "after my aging parents pass away," "when it's okay with my spouse," "when I crap gold bars," whatever. I'd say 3/4 of the nurses I work with now totally regret not just blasting all the way through a single BSN program, because the minute they stopped, life junk took a front seat.

This is what I was looking for, a "reason" why to go straight BSN vs bridging. I have not made up my mind. I was simply stating that IMO there was no difference in getting my BSN by 2016 either way I went but this poster gave the reasons which is what I needed to hear.

As I said, there were other reasons why I even applied to the ADN (no, not failing my BSN lol) but Thanks for all the responses.

I appreciate the real and genuine answers. You guys are awesome

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