The ANA really doesn't like non-BSN Nurses

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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When I was an LPN I was annoyed that I wasn't even included. NOW when I go to their site I see that the only nurses who can get credentialed for anything at all need a bachelor's, almost any bachelor's.

So where else can I get credentials for specialities prior to the BSN? I just don't hanve the money to do it now.

As a 46 y.o. man yet to pass the boards, but just having completed an ADN program, I think the ANA's statement is fair- maybe i'm not hearing their (disparaging) tone, but I agree that a BSN is a good ideal. Try to enter any other professional job market- business, advertising, finance, communications, education- with an Associates' Degree! In many of these fields you won't get in without a Graduate degree. So naturally, a four year degree is preferred: generally speaking, it provides an employer with an applicant with a more diverse, well-rounded education to draw on for creativity and critical thinking. To play devil's advocate: in many places your child's teacher needs to have an M.Ed.-- then why should your child's nurse have only a two year degree? I don't see the ANA's statement as a slam on us ADNs, but simply as setting a high goal and level of expectation for the profession.

Peace.

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So what are you all going to do about it?

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Not support them with membership dues.

1
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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

I agree with many prior posters: When I took the ANA credentialing exam for RN,C I found out, after passing the exam with a 95 that I was to be considered a "generalist" and not a "specialist" all because I was a diploma nurse and I did not have a BSN (this was in 1979) and yup I still carry a grudge :rolleyes:

I feel (wait for me to put on my flame-retardant vest :nuke:) that a Nurse is a Nurse is a Nurse. I have worked with some 68WM6's (Licensed Practical Nurse) in the Army that could run rings around me! To me, the only difference between a 68WM6's is that "Practical" identifier and the fact that many LPN programs are 18 months long, whereas many Diploma programs are/were 24 months long.

I don't ask or question another Nurse if they have their ADN or BSN when I am handing off report to them.

Having said that I do feel that a BSN should be the entry-level degree. IF we all want to be considered Professional, then we should have the same academic threshold or level that "other" professional programs have, a bachelors.

If a BSN would prepare a new graduate nurse like the old time diploma programs (of which, as I stated above, I am) then perhaps there wouldn't be as much "culture shock" to that new graduate nurse. He or She might be better prepared to deal with that GI Bleeder and be able to insert a NG tube, or insert a foley. Nothing against the new graduate nurse but I think it is sad that they spent most of their time sitting in a classroom debating the different Nursing Theories out there when they could have been on the floors, "watching, doing, teaching"

There has been articles written that there is an increased need for Nursing Professors or Instructors to teach all the people who would like to attend a nursing program. Some college nursing programs have a lottery-type system. No matter what your GPA is, if your number is called, then you get a seat in the class. How sad is that!?!

Just my :twocents:

athena

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Hear, hear, Athena!

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

I agree that the BSN degree should be made more affordable. A lot of us go the ADN route because it's more cost effective to do so. I always planned to get my BSN at the very least, but needed to go a route that recognized my LPN experience. Most ADN programs do that. Now that I'm wanting to get my BSN I'm running into another problem, the college I'm wanting to get my BSN from isn't recognizing my ADN. They say my ADN program isn't accredited which is a load of (insert favorite expletive here). If it wasn't accredited I would not have been able to sit for boards, and the state wouldn't allow it to run. If BSN is the ultimate beginning standard, then make it more accessable money-wise.

I also agree that the last semester of any program should be more on practice, less on theory. I never wrote more papers in my life as I did for my ADN program and I hate the fact that I will do even more for my BSN. Why can't there be a stronger clinical focus? Theory is good, practice is better.

Just my :twocents:

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