advice from management: ADN or BSN

Charis · Jun 12, 2003

it depends on how far you want to go. even WHERE you want to go. i believe that if you go to school you should study something that excites you. If for you that's nursing thru and thru until forever amen, then go for the BSN. If you're not sure then get the ADN.....you can always build on it. Personally i had a pre med degree before i became a nurse......and when I became a nurse i just got the ADN. Now if i were to go back to school for anything I'd be looking for a Masters somewhere.

just my opinion...........................charis

really though, follow your dream wherever it may take you!!!!

harp · Jun 17, 2003

Most job descriptions that are written for levels above staff nurse, i.e. management type jobs, require a BSN, AACN requires a BSN for certification in what ever field you wish to be certified in (it wasn't always this way). Starting with an ADN is great, you can be Registered in your state, work, get paid and still go back and complete your degree. Be careful - sometimes it's hard to go back. PH

yupyup5 · Jun 18, 2003

I look for BSN but most often hire ADN because of the sheer numbers of 2 yr nurses in our areas. My first nursing program was 2 yr, their preparation is so much different than 4 yr RN. thanks

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Jun 18, 2003

I personally don't even bother to check either the school or the level of the degree. All I'm interested in is a valid licence and comptency. I'm going to find out the competency myself during oriienation.

Serving on the hospital risk management commitee I can show no increase or decrease in hospital risk or quality of care.

Now you need to decide what you want to do with your career and what resouces you have available, both in time and money.

ainz · Jul 26, 2003

It is fortunate that the BSN is not really viewed as any different or better than the ADN when it comes to point-of-service nursing care. As previously stated, some managers don't even take the time to look at education. This view devalues the value of higher, more liberal education and what it can bring to nursing at the bedside. It also perpetuates the inability of the profession to clearly define nursing, what a nurse does, what a nurse is, and how to become a nurse.

What does all this mean? Go for the BSN!!!!

ainz · Jul 26, 2003

Excuse me--that is it is UNFORTUNATE that the BSN is not really viewed as any different of better than the ADN . . . . . . . . . .

MishlB · Jul 26, 2003

I dont like to hear that someone 'just has an ADN'....no difference when you are on the floor, and the boards are the same. Your post is actually quite offensive...you want special treatment because you have a few more credits? You should be a doctor, not a nurse. You will fit right in.

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Jul 26, 2003

Education is never bad and most definitly if time and money allow, then go for the most you can get. I've never done a study and I don't remember seeing a valid one that showed that there was a significant difference in quality of care of a BSN vs an ADN. Anicdotally I can show new grad BSN's who jumped over my LPN's who weren't aspirating when they gave sub q heparin shots. Now I"ve also seen ADN's who will never touch a patient in my facility as long as I'm the DON.

It's time to get theemotion out of this discusion, which has been going on for the 25 years I've been in nursing. We push Evidence Based Medicine in our clinical practice, it's time to bring that to our education.

To the ones that are wondering if they should go to the local CC and get an ADN or go to the university down the road. Well I want a competent nurse. I don't care were you got the knowledge and skills. Distance Education, ADN, BSM, Accelerated BSN, whatever. The choices should be for your personal plans and life. If your planning on becoming a NursePractiioner later, then get the BSN now. If like were I live now, the BSN only takes 6 months longer than an ADN, takes then maybe the BSN. If money is an issue then community college ADN programs are usually cheaper. You may want the personal satisfaction of completing a BSN. If your doing a midlife career change, and already have college, then maybe the ADN.

Whichever you choose, just do the best you can and work on becoming the best nurse possible. Being a knowledgable, skilled, compasionate, caring nurse will help you get the respect from the physicains, you fellow nurses, and your patients more than a collection of letters after your name. (ps it will also make your DON happy and will prob be reflected in your evaluations)

Flame war? Yes. This is an emotional subject with strong feelings and idea's on both sides. When making a decision, listen to both sides of the argument (and it is an argument not a discusion in most cases) and look at it based your specific set of circmstances.

Good luck in which ever path you choose.

yupyup5 · Jul 27, 2003

I can't help but respond to some of the bitter messages...no matter how you look at it, how you slice it, what the arguements are, BSN prepared nurses are "PREPARED" differently than Associate degree nurses. Once the BSN prepared nurses become comfortable with their technical skills, they shine.

deav · Sep 3, 2003

Hi,I wanted to put my two cents in on this debated subject. I do not feel that a BSN nurse is any better prepared for the task of bedside nursing, than the ASN prepared nurse. The BSN will prepare you for positions beyond bedside nursing, if that is the route your career takes you. I also feel it may assist you with honing your critical thinking skills, which is very crucial in any nursing arena. I currently work in a management position with an ADN. I have had more of an uphill climb without that BSN!

Good luck to you in whatever you endeavors take you. That is the great thing about nursing, there are so many avenues you can take. :nurse:

yupyup5 · Sep 3, 2003

Someone who doesn't have a degree (no matter what it is in, nursing or otherwise) cannot know the difference between having that degree and not having that degree...