Why Not Just Do A Bsn Program???

Altra, BSN, RN · May 24, 2004

To the OP, you also need to look at the graduation rate, not just the NCLEX pass rate. The NCLEX pass rate may be 100% at a certain school, but if only 10 people graduated, what does that say? To the people with the 100% NCLEX pass rate, what is your graduation rate?

The NCLEX pass rate was a primary deciding factor for me to choose a program. If a school has a low percentage of students who graduate, but a 100% pass rate, that just tells me that it is a difficult program, but those who complete it are well-prepared GNs, whether that is 10 students or 100. It's up to me to be one of those 10.

Good luck to all.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · May 24, 2004

From what I gathered, nursing pay works under unusual rules (socialistic?) from other professions. From what I've been told/read in these forums, BSN grads start off at about the same pay without taking into account many pertinent factors. And frankly, that's something that doesn't happen in many other employment fields.
In almost any other field, graduates are rewarded for: better academics, better attended schools, more difficult degrees, more challenging course loads, etc. It may be part of what is wrong with nursing today. Where is the incentive for new nursing students to acheive higher goals?

I totally agree.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · May 24, 2004

I am not in a diploma program, but if I was to be HR Manager (I think schools to me need way more clinicals), then diploma RN should get paid more, since its 3 yrs of clinicals, nothing else.

Are you saying a diploma nursing program doesn't get any theory? How do they learn why they are doing certain procedures?

Altra, BSN, RN · May 25, 2004

Are you saying a diploma nursing program doesn't get any theory? How do they learn why they are doing certain procedures?

Not to worry ... the diploma programs include the same courses as ADN & BSN nursing programs. And they also include A&P, micro, etc. - courses that are typically pre-reqs for ADN programs. Otherwise, diploma RNs couldn't possibly function, could they?

BTW, I would support the gradual transition toward bachelor's degree education being the standard for entry-level nurses. Any reasonable proposal would have to "grandfather in" all existing licensed RNs. But until that happens, the diploma program was definitely the best option for me. I'll complete my BSN in good time, on my employer's dime. About 1/3 of my class already has a bachelor's degree or higher in some other field.

jonnygirl27 · May 25, 2004

My ADN program has a 95% pass rate and a 100% NCLEX pass rate for the last 5 years. I chose this program over the BSN programs because it has the HIGHEST pass rate in the state, and is generally considered to be an excellent program.

I'm planning on getting my BSN through an RN to BSN program after graduation--only because I plan on being an instructor at some point and will need a masters for that... Know what I have to take to get my BSN? History, art, some business and management classes, and a few nursing theory classes. My ADN program has more clincal hours than any other nursing program--diploma, ADN or BSN--in my area.

I can't really comment on diploma nurses since I don't know much about their programs--but if you take the same NCLEX, you're required to know just as much about nursing as any person with any other degree.

KrisRNwannabe · May 25, 2004

WOW!! this is one of those been there done it threads. let's not all jump on the poor girl. FYI for the poster: People pick there programs for many reasons. sometimes there are no BSN programs in the area, the cost (BSN=$$$), familt issues(ie I gotta work fast so they don't repo my house). my situation: I start my program in the fall. I already have a degree and a job that pays well. in order to become a nurse I will have to get my LPN first so that I can work while i am in the bridge program and also my employer will pay for the bridge program. the big thing with nursing is you get alot of mid 20's and above, career changes, and the like. lots of people at this stage in their life just can't do the BSN right away.

mariedoreen · May 25, 2004

Okay, here's my two cents worth. I live in a town that is an hour away from two community college, both of which offer ADN programs. If I chose a BSN program instead I would have to attend a university too far away to drive each day which would entail being away from my husband and daughter from Monday through Friday for a little over two years (something other students have chosen to do). So... I'm going the ADN route (and will thankfully be home almost every day in time to pick her up from school) and will then do an RN-to-BSN on-line program through the same university after I'm done. Total time into all of this? Forever, it seems like. Would I want to change that? Nope, I'm just darn thankful I've got the opportunity to do it at all, competition for entry into any nursing program where I live is incredible. I guess, bottom line, is that for some it's far more feasible to go the ADN route first... Money, time, whatever the reason is, I'm just glad there are different options that work for our different situations.

I'm not looking for "info." What I am asking is for the opinion of ADN students and why they chose that route rather than the BSN route and do they think that they can be just as competent as a BSN nurse...

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · May 25, 2004

OK, my turn. I worked my way up from CNA, LPN, ADN, and now I am 2 semesters away from finishing my BSN. Why did I do it that way??? Well, its called life. Life happens. When I was in ADN classes I went to a CC. Tuition was $68/hr... now in the BSN program they are 152/hr. I dont know about alot of you, but for me, financially it was the right decision. I only had to take 1 extra academic for my BSN than I did for my ADN. And the education doesnt make alot of difference in pay in my area, unless you are in management. However, I have an ADN, and I am currently a supervisor, and 2 of the nurses who I supervise, have their BSN. Again, in the end we are all nurses. We all take the exact same licensure exam. The comment was made that RNs make more than LPN. LPN and RN boards are different. All RN boards regardless of the degree, from Diploma to PhD, all have the same exam. In the end..... passing that exam=RN

Lots of people do ADN instead of BSN for a variety of reasons. Each person has to do what is best for them.

BamaGirlRN · May 25, 2004

It just doesnt seem logical that you can take two people: one of which went to school TWICE as long as the other one and yet they are to perform the same job, pass the same exam and get paid the same!!!!

And yet ASN's do it everyday :nurse: . Last time I checked ~80% of RN's carried ASN degree's.

BamaGirlRN · May 25, 2004

LOOK PEOPLE, GET OVER IT! YOU GUYS WILL NEVER CHANGE MY MIND ON THIS SO WHY ARE GUYS GETTING SOOOOO TOUCHY ABOUT IT. AND LIKE I SAID, I WILL ONLY BE A BEDSIDE NURSE FOR THE REQUIRED YEAR B4 GOING BACK TO GRAD SCHOOL IN WHICH CASE I WILL NOT BE TAKING ORDERS FROM AN ADN NURSE OR BSN NURSE FOR THAT MATTER. SO THAT'S WHAT I SHOULD HAVE SAID SO I WILL REPHRASE IT: "AFTER COMPLETING MY REQUIRED YEAR OF BEDSIDE NURSING, I WILL NEVER TAKE ORDERS FROM AN ADN NURSE AGAIN!" HAPPY :)

Well you admitted it yourself that you wanted to piss us off (her words not mine), I kinda got that from your first post. And if you think we are trying to change your mind then why on earth did you start this thread in the first place if your mind is already made up, just to make yourself feel better about your decision? Were you seeking justification from every ASN student as to why they choose the ASN route. Because if you are then have seat and pop a bag of popcorn because they are here trying to give you the 'opinions' YOU asked for.

WELL PEOPLE I'M GETTING OFF WORK NOW BUT IT WAS CERTAINLY NICE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION WITH YOU GUYS AND I WILL PICK UP WHERE I LEFT OFF PISSING YOU TOUCHY NURSES OFF TOMMOROW.:chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

Btw, you are in the Student Forum, if you wanted to piss off the nurses you need to start this thread in the gen. nursing forum.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · May 25, 2004

LOOK PEOPLE, GET OVER IT! YOU GUYS WILL NEVER CHANGE MY MIND ON THIS SO WHY ARE GUYS GETTING SOOOOO TOUCHY ABOUT IT. AND LIKE I SAID, I WILL ONLY BE A BEDSIDE NURSE FOR THE REQUIRED YEAR B4 GOING BACK TO GRAD SCHOOL IN WHICH CASE I WILL NOT BE TAKING ORDERS FROM AN ADN NURSE OR BSN NURSE FOR THAT MATTER. SO THAT'S WHAT I SHOULD HAVE SAID SO I WILL REPHRASE IT: "AFTER COMPLETING MY REQUIRED YEAR OF BEDSIDE NURSING, I WILL NEVER TAKE ORDERS FROM AN ADN NURSE AGAIN!" HAPPY :) WELL PEOPLE I'M GETTING OFF WORK NOW BUT IT WAS CERTAINLY NICE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION WITH YOU GUYS AND I WILL PICK UP WHERE I LEFT OFF PISWSING YOU TOUCHY NURSES OFF TOMMOROW.:chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

Thanks. You have just provided another example of the kind of nurse that i will strive not to be, not matter how much further i take my education.

:rolleyes:

klone, MSN, RN · May 25, 2004

Btw, you are in the Student Forum, if you wanted to piss off the nurses you need to start this thread in the gen. nursing forum.

Please do! :saint: