Returning B.S. Graduated -Conflicted on whether to get RN A.A.S or BSN

[Chrissy12]

Hello All,

After purusing what Long Island has to offer in terms of Nursing programs, I am finding that most schools require me to get my Associates prior to my Bachelors in Nursing. I am a little bewildered at this considering I am a returning student with a B.S. in Marketing. I see it as it would take me pretty much the same time to get my RN-BSN as it would my RN-A.A.S. Would anyone be able to give any clarity on this for me? If the degree is considered progressive for me then I would understand but if I would be essentially learning the same thing but more while persuing a BSN, I'd rather by-pass the Associates degree. Any schools known that accept transfer students into their BSN program without a RN licensure? I am only finding schools that are accepting incoming freshman or RN-to BSN. Another reason why I feel this is discriminatory is if incoming freshman are entitled to the program than how am I any different? I'm being penalized for carrying all my pre-req (-) the sciences? Thats just absurb no? I am currently fulfilling my pre-req (A&P I & II - no surprise) but could use some guidance on the best path to pursue. I am also going to take the Boces CNA certificate program so I can start becoming acclimated to patient care during my schooling.

Any suggestions/comments would help immensley.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

You near Stonybrook? They have a 12 month accelerated BSN for those who already have a bachelor's.

http://sonce1.nursing.sunysb.edu/nursingweb.nsf/OnSite12MonthAcceleratedProgram?OpenForm

[rnkim97]

In NO way was I saying that you do not have emough clinicals. But if you look at BSN nurses and nurses that have went toa community colleg or diploma school you WILL see that the community colleges and diploma schools have much more clinical experience. In the BSN programs they start clinicals uin the jr year and have leadership classes etc. I went to a AAS program and by the 2nd week of classes we were in the nursing home. My school had a 97% pass rate with the NCLEX. Of course you want a school to help you pass the NCLEX but that is not the end all be all. Working- CLINICAL knowledge is what helps you!!!!

FYI- I am in school now for my BSN and all the classes are communication, leardership nothing really nursing based.

Kim

[wayunderpaid]

In NO way was I saying that you do not have emough clinicals. But if you look at BSN nurses and nurses that have went toa community colleg or diploma school you WILL see that the community colleges and diploma schools have much more clinical experience. In the BSN programs they start clinicals uin the jr year and have leadership classes etc. I went to a AAS program and by the 2nd week of classes we were in the nursing home. My school had a 97% pass rate with the NCLEX. Of course you want a school to help you pass the NCLEX but that is not the end all be all. Working- CLINICAL knowledge is what helps you!!!!

FYI- I am in school now for my BSN and all the classes are communication, leardership nothing really nursing based.

Kim

This is the reason there are always threads and s*** about the difference between ADN prepared nurses and BSN. You are absolutely misinformed regarding the amount of clinicals. First of all, I was referring to an second degree nursing, which is part of the thread, not a traditional BSN program. ALL programs require a minimun amount of clinicals in order to be accredited by NLN or CCNE. Our particular program had between 2-3 days of clinicals per week during the duration of the program, with the exception of the first month.

Traditional programs which start clinicals in the Jr. year will have a 4 semester nursing program, just like ADN programs. Don't shortchange them because they took 2 years of general education. In addition, there are many traditional programs who have clinicals starting on their freshman year. My wife went to one of them.

Since many people in our area were skeptical of the "accelerated students", our dean researched the clock hours from all the other schools around us and we topped every community college (3), and every other 4 year program in our area (4). Among 8 colleges, our accelerated program had the most clinicals.

Beyond the amount of clinical experience, it matters the kind of experience you received. While I think that having nursing home clinicals is really important, many of my colleagues at work who went to a CC did a whole semester in long term care. We 2 three day weeks in LTC and went to a med-surg unit right away. I can't say which one is better. We just got a lot of busy med-surg experience.

We did have a leadership course, but such course had no clinical hours, as the clinical faculty fought to increase hard-core clinical components.

EVERY program varies according to school, so making a general assertion that ADN programs give you more experience than BSN programs is simply not true.

You are basing your information on your experience from RN-BSN where clinical work is not expected since you are an RN. The other courses, such as pathophysiology, research, communications, and such are just courses intended to give you a better rounded education (not clinical, since you are an RN).

I always hear that ADN nurses put down BSN nurses as incompetent, I once heard someone say that the BSN nurses were prissy mamma girls. I also hear BSN nurses saying that ADN nurses don't have the background to understand other aspects of care. Excellence in nursing had nothing to do with where you went to school or which degree you have, but what is important is how alert and interested one is in providing the best care, how interested one is about learning new things that come along, and how well you communicate with the healthcare team. I have learned so much more after graduation than during school.

I am sorry but I cannot speak for diploma nurses. All I know is that my preceptor came from a diploma nursing degree (early 70's). She was a good preceptor overall.

Please don't misinform people making generalizations, when in reality, it is just your opinion.

Wayunderpaid

[Wsmith16, ADN, BSN]

I am a 2nd degree student who is currently attending an ADN program--I was shooting for an accelarated BSN but didn't have any luck getting in.

Your best bet is too do some research and apply to all available schools in your area. It's difficult to get into nursing school at this time so go with the school that accepts you--you can't lose.

[rnkim97]

Once again, the thread was started to ask about programs. Everyone is entiled to their opinions based on THEIR experiences. It behoves a person looking into ANY nursing program to do their OWN research. There are VERY good nurses that come out of EVERY program. And everyone enters a particular porgram for VARIOUS reasons. I was not misinforming people- I hope that logical people look at these boards and relaize EVERYTHING is someones opinion.

Sometimes BSN nurses feel that they know more than ADN nurses as well. All is irrevelant.

In the end we all have the same degree RN!!!!! So please just respect that!!!!!

[olivia28]

Once again, the thread was started to ask about programs. Everyone is entiled to their opinions based on THEIR experiences. It behoves a person looking into ANY nursing program to do their OWN research. There are VERY good nurses that come out of EVERY program. And everyone enters a particular porgram for VARIOUS reasons. I was not misinforming people- I hope that logical people look at these boards and relaize EVERYTHING is someones opinion.

Sometimes BSN nurses feel that they know more than ADN nurses as well. All is irrevelant.

In the end we all have the same degree RN!!!!! So please just respect that!!!!!

Totally agree. I respect people's opinions, that is what I was giving, not misinforming. People ask questions, and people give their opinion, that is what a message board is about. You have to check the facts yourself and make the best decision for yourself.

I do not attend and accelerated BSN program, but I am the program coordinator for one of the best accelerated BSN programs in the country. I also have a bachelors and masters degree.

Usually, if I don't like what someone has to say, I say thank you for your opinion and keep it moving.:monkeydance:

[shellbell543]

I live in Rochester and there is an Accelerated program through the University of Rochester, 18month program for anyone who holds a Bachlers in anything!! and I mean any field. Check out other schools near you. There may be similar programs like the one at U of R!!!

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

Just a point from someone who has been there (BS/MA in another field, accelerated BSN). Do remember that "BSN required" jobs will not consider your Bachelor's in anything else as a substitute. This won't matter in your hospital years but when/if you want to transition to a non-bedside role, a BSN makes it so much easier. Do remember that long term. Good luck!

[shellbell543]

I only agree with you to a point, Quickbeam. Since alread having a Bachelor's in Marketing, in the future, this puts you ahead of the game, especially when being considered for management and/or administrative positions. The school may not look at other degrees or count credit hours, but an employer will certainly consider degrees in other areas during hiring, AND having a higher degree in Marketing will allow for higher salary negotiations!! ($$$$)

Everything is in your favor with the more education you have, no matter what the subject.

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

My point was that many many career changers assume their prior BS/BA will substitute for a BSN requirement as long as they get their RN. This is incorrect.

Nursing continues to be quite closed at accepting non-nursing degrees for advancement. I have held multiple jobs that were BSN required and I've always asked: "would you have hired me with an RN license and my BS/MA?". The answer has always been no.

I only bring this up because I have seen decades of disappointed people turned down for BSN requiring jobs after struggling to get a BA in Health Science, or whatever. In my state, if you want to be a school nurse or a public health nurse or community health, you need a BSN or better.

Of course, more education is better. I'd never debate that.