Frustrated in BSN program

Students ADN/BSN

Published

  • by JZ_RN
    Specializes in Oncology.

So I am tired of getting treated like an ignorant, useless nurse because I only have an ADN and denied employment everywhere because I'm not a BSN. I get into a BSN program and start taking EXPENSIVE classes, on my own dime, and spending all my free time on these classes. I haven't learned one single thing in the program besides how to do citations for a paper which helps me 0% in my job. I won't get a raise when I have a BSN either. So what is the point? I want to stop taking these classes after this course, but I want a bachelor's if only for my own pride. However, it is costing me so much money (thousands, every class has hundreds in books and fees and then they want you to buy case studies and other crazy things weekly) and all of my free time. I am so stressed doing these busywork assignments (and that's all they are, they don't teach me anything I don't already know and almost none of it is applicable in the real world because there's no time for me to evaluate patient's emotional roadblocks to learning when I barely have time to take their vitals)and I am so tired that at work daily.. and have no time with friends or family. Any advice? Sorry for the rambling but I am too tired to edit.

Ntheboat2

366 Posts

You're denied employment everywhere....so does that mean you have a job right now or not? If you have a job that you LIKE a lot....then I would say quit school...at least for now.

If you don't plan on staying in the job you have for very long then you're gonna find yourself right back in the same boat that led you to working on your BSN in the first place. Do you get treated like an "ignorant, useless nurse" in the job you have now? Where is that happening?

So it's your current experience that the BSN is nothing more than "A point of pride," as it is in NO way helping you become a better nurse? I have heard this from others once or twice... ;)

In all seriousness though, if you don't plan on pursuing an advanced practice or management role in the future, then please be sure that that "Point of pride" is worth the extra tens of thousands of $. If not, then maybe you should save the money and quit for now.

OR, if you really just want to waste the money anyway, PM me and I can tell you the easiest way to get it to me :) That way, instead of the pride, you can have a grateful leech....er, I mean friend for life! Which is FAR more tangible. I'm just looking to help you out the best I can ;)

(I hope you realize I'm just joking with you about sending me money...)

MunoRN, RN

8,058 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care.
Do you get treated like an "ignorant, useless nurse" in the job you have now? Where is that happening?

There's a lot of lack of understanding regarding ASN and BSN curriculum out there. You'll still find those who believe an ASN is on the same level as a technical school degree, even though Vocational technical schools are different than community colleges. Some will even refer to an ASN as "minimal" education compared to a BSN.

JZ_RN

590 Posts

Specializes in Oncology.

By everywhere I mean hospitals. Have not even had an interview at a hospital. They won't take anyone without a BSN.

JZ_RN

590 Posts

Specializes in Oncology.

And I was flat out told that I was not selected for a new graduate program at an area hospital because an ADN is not sufficient education for a nurse.

Ntheboat2

366 Posts

Oh, okay. So, you're working in LTC or a doctor's office I assume?

If you really, really want to work in a hospital then I think you might as well just stick it out and finish.

Your post is a little contradictory. You say what you're learning helps you 0% in your job yet your job isn't in a hospital where you really want to work (I assume) so how do you know it won't help you there? Are you taking pathophysiology yet? I don't see how learning the disease process wouldn't help a hospital nurse.

I guess it just depends on whether or not you want to stay where you are or get a job in the hospital.

Ntheboat2

366 Posts

There's a lot of lack of understanding regarding ASN and BSN curriculum out there. You'll still find those who believe an ASN is on the same level as a technical school degree, even though Vocational technical schools are different than community colleges. Some will even refer to an ASN as "minimal" education compared to a BSN.

Well, an associate's degree is the minimal education required to be a registered nurse. What's wrong with saying that? Getting a little silly with the semantics at this point...

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP

1,774 Posts

Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

Well, an associate's degree is the minimal education required to be a registered nurse. What's wrong with saying that? Getting a little silly with the semantics at this point...

Well, a diploma is minimal...

MunoRN, RN

8,058 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care.

That would seem to imply a significant difference, as opposed to "semantics" in which the only difference is the word used.. I was talking with another Nurse the other night who had an ASN and wanted an MSN at some point and figured she needed a BSN first. She was looking at an MSN program (which was not designed as an ADN to MSN program) which required a BSN, although they would accept a 4 page essay in lieu of a BSN. This was one of the top ranked Nursing programs in the nation which considered the difference between an ASN and a BSN to be essentially a 4 page homework assignment, not exactly a significant difference.

Ntheboat2

366 Posts

That would seem to imply a significant difference, as opposed to "semantics" in which the only difference is the word used.. I was talking with another Nurse the other night who had an ASN and wanted an MSN at some point and figured she needed a BSN first. She was looking at an MSN program (which was not designed as an ADN to MSN program) which required a BSN, although they would accept a 4 page essay in lieu of a BSN. This was one of the top ranked Nursing programs in the nation which considered the difference between an ASN and a BSN to be essentially a 4 page homework assignment, not exactly a significant difference.

Well, this isn't the ADN vs BSN debate. I was just pointing out that your comment about some people viewing the ADN as "minimal education" is not really an insult, but just a fact. Just as an MSN is the minimal education for a NP...etc, etc... Although I was corrected that a diploma is actually the "minimal education." Of course, that's assuming that we're only talking about college education..which in this case, we are.

Anyhow, the OP has a difficult decision (but at the same time pretty simple to outsiders) to make. Either she remains an ADN nurse and works in her current job...which she may love and be happy with forever...

OR...she gets a BSN and goes for a hospital job.

I know everyone loves to say that hospitals don't care if you have an ADN or BSN, but story after story like this says otherwise.

Ntheboat2

366 Posts

That would seem to imply a significant difference, as opposed to "semantics" in which the only difference is the word used.. I was talking with another Nurse the other night who had an ASN and wanted an MSN at some point and figured she needed a BSN first. She was looking at an MSN program (which was not designed as an ADN to MSN program) which required a BSN, although they would accept a 4 page essay in lieu of a BSN. This was one of the top ranked Nursing programs in the nation which considered the difference between an ASN and a BSN to be essentially a 4 page homework assignment, not exactly a significant difference.

What school is this, btw?

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