Hospital work - RN vs. BSN?

andpeggy · Jul 7, 2009

I'd be curious to know if there are any current post-bac St. Kate's students out there to offer a rebuttal...

jnsk99 · Jul 7, 2009

I'll just go ahead and throw this out there. Doesn't put St. Kate's in the best light, but I always take statistical data with a grain of salt.

http://www.state.mn.us/mn/externalDocs/Nursing/Number_and_Firsttime_Success_Rate_of_NCLEXRN_Candidates_Educated_i_021009093232_RN%20Success%20Rates%200508.pdf

andpeggy · Jul 8, 2009

Thanks jnsk99...I was wondering if that information was public. Interesting that it's only for the associate degree programs, though. I might do a Google search to see if I can find the pass rates for their post-bac or traditional BSN.

jnsk99 · Jul 8, 2009

Bikelola,

There's a second page in that document. Unfortunately, St. Kate's numbers are worse for the post bac prorgram.

andpeggy · Jul 8, 2009

Thanks. Ouch. Well, it's not clear if the numbers are for the post-bac or for the traditional bac, but still, ouch.

But, as my husband said last night, ultimately how you do on the NCLEX is up to you. So, I might have to study a little harder. Fine with me.

OrthoRN09 · Jul 20, 2009

I went to St. Kate's AD program. I didn't get straight A's....but did quite well. I passed NCLEX on the first try without taking Kaplan or any other program. I was hired before I graduated at a major hospital. Also worked full-time through the entire program. There was also a student in my class that took boards more than twice before she passed. She was an excellent student and I would be happy to have her care for me or any of my family members. Passing rates are not the only way to judge a program. I also heard rumors of St. Kate's passing people that shouldn't have passed because they threatened to sue or petitioned. The program is definately flawed. But it is a good program and I feel I got an excellent education. I think you could find rumors like this at any school.

rnfostermom, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2009

I have an ADN from St. Kate's Minneapolis campus. I have worked at a level 1 trauma center in Minneapolis since graduation 4+ years ago and there is a large mix of BSNs and ADNs working here. I have observed that you need a BSN to get into most positions above staff nurse, and definitely to get into management. In fact, my manager is now being required to get her masters. There is definitely a preference at some of the other hospitals in town (based on their job postings) and in this down job market, I would think it would definitely help you to stand out.

I did not want to go to St. Kate's "just to go to St. Kate's," and the cost was absolutely ridiculous, especially considering the Minneapolis campus is really run down and all the amenities are in St. Paul. I only chose this school because it had an evening program and was convenient to my full time job in downtown Minneapolis. I did think my education prepared me adequately, but I also worked really hard and got As. There WAS the constant threat of flunking out after each exam, and also if you failed the math test. I really hated nursing school because of the constant stress. I passed my boards on my first try w/75 questions. I did go to Kaplan because I'm the "belt and suspenders" type.

As far as BSN options, there is almost no chance I'd go to St. Kate's, primarily due to cost. Metro State has a good program that is the least expensive one I've found, but it takes 2 years. I also checked out Mankato State, which seems like a reasonable option as it's mostly distance learning. I'll probably end up doing one of these programs when I decide to go back and finish my BSN. In the interim, I don't see a whole lot of difference in my workplace for staff nurses w/ADNs and BSNs, and the pay difference is at best $1/hr.

rn/writer, RN · Aug 7, 2009

This might seem like a picky distinction, and it's sort of been covered, but I want to state it in plain terms.

You are not comparing RN to BSN. You are comparing ADN to BSN. Both the ADN and the BSN are RNs.

Best wishes in your quest.

trish123 · Aug 11, 2009

I only chose this school [st. Kate's] because it had an evening program...

Do any other metro schools offer this option? I'm in the same boat, applied to St. Kate's only because of that.

OrthoRN09 · Aug 28, 2009

Do any other metro schools offer this option? I'm in the same boat, applied to St. Kate's only because of that.

As far as I know, St. Kate's is the only program that offers an evening program. I heard (after I was half way done with the St. Kate's program) that Anoka-Ramsey had an evening program but never looked into it.

geminikb · Sep 20, 2009

I don't know a great deal about pay differentials between ADNs and BSNs, but my general understanding is that there is not a whole lot of difference. If money is a concern for you now, you can get your associate degree for now, get out in the field and start working, and then go back for your BSN. There are so many options now for continuing your education. So, so many! I started with my ADN, and now I'm at Metro State in an RN to MSN program, at the end of which I will be awarded with both BSN and MSN degrees. The options are limitless. Whatever you decide, just jump in and get started! One thing to consider is that some employers offer tuition reimbursement to their RNs. That's another thing to consider. If you're not already working in the field for an employer who offers this, why not get your ADN, and then when you continue for your BSN, have your employer help with tuition. Unfortunately with the economy as it is, employers are not paying out as much as they used to for tuition, but every little bit helps. There are also lots of scholarships, whether given by private entities or schools, that give money to currently-practicing RNs. My biggest piece of advice is just to tell you that there are always options for continuing your education. ADN is a perfectly good place to start, and as one of the previous posters already stated, whether you're an ADN or a BSN, everyone takes the same board exam. I got my ADN at Anoka-Ramsey, and I feel that I got top-notch education there. Good luck!