RN vs. BSN

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2012

The state would be relevant if it's the state you live in, work in and expect to continue your schooling in.

The person who brought this up originally stated that as soon as she graduates with her ADN, she will get a job in a hospital and that hospital will pay for her BSN. I was only trying to say that- as a blanket statement- that's false. I don't know about the rest of the country, but in my area jobs for new grads are extremely hard to come by and most hospitals are requiring a BSN for new grads. I don't doubt that there are places that will pay the entire cost of another degree, I'm saying my facility isn't one of them. They offer a maximum of $5000 a year (part time employees get $2000 and most of my co-workers who were in school full-time had to drop to part-time status at work) and there are a lot of criteria employees must meet to get this money. Not to mention higher education in this part of the country is extremely expensive. I do know a former co-worker who attempted to do grad school in another state (her home state) while working on my floor. She didn't even last a whole semester before she quit and moved home.

And yes, I work in a Magnet hospital. It sucks.

astarrh1 · Jan 19, 2012

I am applying to an online program to get my BSN and MSN. There are so many options now. Many 4 yr Universities now offer an online RN-BSN/MSN program, and many many many are less than 20K. There are several who offer the RN-BSN for around 7-8K. It just takes a little research and willingness to do the online channel. Best of luck to everyone who is making their way down that path.

mceb59 · May 26, 2012

Please go for the BSN right from the start. It will save time and money in the long run. But, more importantly, I encourage you to read several items: The multiple research studies completed by Linda Aiken and her colleagues that demonstrate that the larger the number of BSN educated nurses staffing an institution the lower the mortality rate; The Institute of Medicine Report of October 2010: The Future of Nursing; and please read some of the history of nursing.

Think about these questions: What other health care discipline allows less than a bachelor's degree as entry into practice in the USA? Most have gone to the Doctoral level as entry into practice (PT, OT, Audiology, etc.) - why? What does it mean for the practice of nursing in the board rooms of health care agencies when nurses (who hopefully have at least a BSN or higher) are to be representing the interests of nurses, many of whom are not educated beyond the technical level (LPN, diploma, associates degree)? Ever wonder why nurses/nursing gets treated poorly? Read an old article by Luther Christman (1998) titled "Who is a nurse?" If a group does not have the education level necessary to "play the game" how can that group ever compete to better itself and working conditions?

What does it mean that the Institute of Medicine is the body that is now setting standards for nursing?? Economic conditions change and vary across the USA. However, of all the bachelor's degrees one could obtain graduates with a BSN do get jobs and with a decent salary. A BA in psychology, a BA in sociology/social work and many other bachelors degrees require the graduate to go to graduate school and gain a master's degree or on for the doctorate to earn the salary of a BSN. In some locations practical nurses, diploma nurses and associate degree nurses cannot get jobs; yes magnet has much to do with this. But there too is another question - magnet, like JCAHO, is another quality credential - why is quality not wanted?

So....get the BSN from the start...

PMFB-RN, RN · May 29, 2012

think about these questions: what other health care discipline allows less than a bachelor's degree as entry into practice in the usa?

*** respiratory therapy and physicians assistant come immediatly to mind.

most have gone to the doctoral level as entry into practice (pt, ot, audiology, etc.) - why?

*** i have often wondered this as well. i have some guesses but if you know please share.

what does it mean for the practice of nursing in the board rooms of health care agencies when nurses (who hopefully have at least a bsn or higher) are to be representing the interests of nurses, many of whom are not educated beyond the technical level (lpn, diploma, associates degree)? ever wonder why nurses/nursing gets treated poorly?

*** i don't get treated poorly. nurses in my hospital doens't get treated poorly. i get plenty of respect. also good benifits and am paid pretty well. of course i no longer work at a magnet hospital full time.

what does it mean that the institute of medicine is the body that is now setting standards for nursing?? economic conditions change and vary across the usa. however, of all the bachelor's degrees one could obtain graduates with a bsn do get jobs and with a decent salary. a ba in psychology, a ba in sociology/social work and many other bachelors degrees require the graduate to go to graduate school and gain a master's degree or on for the doctorate to earn the salary of a bsn. in some locations practical nurses, diploma nurses and associate degree nurses cannot get jobs; yes magnet has much to do with this. but there too is another question - magnet, like jcaho, is another quality credential - why is quality not wanted?

*** i worked at two different hospitals during their "journy to magnet" and sat on the committee. in my part of the usa magnet hospitals are gaining a reputation as not being good places to work. especialy among er & critical care types. in my opinion magnet does not indicate qualiety, but rather an indication that managment is more interested in the appereance over substance.

so....get the bsn from the start...

*** i agree, but for different reasons.

tferdaise · May 29, 2012

*** respiratory therapy and physicians assistant come immediatly to mind.

pa school is really a masters level program, most pa schools want you to have a undergrad degree before applying. rt's will change, slowly, there are undergrad degree's in respiratory therapy these days.

*** i worked at two different hospitals during their "journy to magnet" and sat on the committee. in my part of the usa magnet hospitals are gaining a reputation as not being good places to work. especialy among er & critical care types. in my opinion magnet does not indicate qualiety, but rather an indication that managment is more interested in the appereance over substance.

i couldn't agree more, this is why most hospitals are dumping jacho and going with dnv home / dnv over jacho. dnv looks at quality of care, not how clean the hospital looks. jacho has it’s back against the wall, they made it almost impossible for older hospital to pass their inspection’s. where i work, we dumped jacho 3 years ago and haven’t looked back since.

i’m part of the boat for one entry level for nursing, which for me is the bsn, as it has been pointed out there are many studies that prove the bsn nurse gives better care then an adn and diploma rn. this debate has been going on for 40 yrs and the ana (american nurses association) doesn’t have the balls to step up and recommend this, however, they did speak up with a position paper on making np’s earn a dnp as the entry level degree. why haven’t they spoken up with a position paper about the bsn? just do it…

timar · May 29, 2012

BSN will do u good in the future.once u got ur degree and next u have to do ur nclex exam.after tht u will have good oppurtnity in the future to continue ur education.u can reach up to phd.and certain specialization.

PMFB-RN, RN · May 29, 2012

pa school is really a masters level program,

*** except for all the bachelors degree and associates degree pa programs out there. physicians assistants, like rns have multiple entry options. i see this as a strength providing diversity not seen in other fields.

i’m part of the boat for one entry level for nursing, which for me is the bsn,

*** i am on a different boat. i believe that the diversity that multiple entry options give nursing to be an asset and strength. i am also not so sure that the bsn only push isn't really a back door anti men in nursing push since the majority of men enter nursing through the associates degree programs. if i was to get on board to one entry level for nursing it wouldn't be at the bsn level.

as it has been pointed out there are many studies that prove the bsn nurse gives better care then an adn and diploma rn.

*** i haven't seen any that i consider reliable or well done.

this debate has been going on for 40 yrs and the ana (american nurses association) dozen't’t have the balls to step up and recommend this, however, they did speak up with a position paper on making np’s earn a dnp as the entry level degree.

*** they made a huge mistake taking the position that dnp be the only entry to advanced practice. in addition to telling the whole world that we (nursing) has a huge self esteem problem, it send the message that nursing doesn't want some of the best and brightest and would rather see them go to other medical fields rather than nursing.

bcandygurl · May 29, 2012

Will master's level nursing still exist? Should these programs be phased out?

Yes, master's nursing education will continue. The position statement on the DNP is a vision for the future of specialty nursing education. As specialty nursing education transitions to the doctoral level, the DNP Roadmap Task Force recommended that institutions consider reconceptualizing their master's degree programs to prepare generalists. The Clinical Nurse Leader, a national demonstration project launched to introduce a new master's level role into the health care system, is one model for master's education. This change in master's programs is consistent with the position statement endorsed by AACN members which states: "As the education of the generalist nurse is elevated to the master's degree level, it is reasonable to assume that specialty education and the education of those individuals prepared for the highest level of nursing practice would occur at the practice doctoral level." The transition date of 2015 for the DNP was set far enough in the future to give programs enough time to make a smooth transition and address the role of master's education.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Frequently Asked Questions

TUhopeful · Jul 2, 2012

The ADN/ASN great option for people who are older and going back to school, want to save money, want to take less requirements, and may not be pursuing graduate school. The BSN is for people who have the drive to get into more competitive programs and take more classes to get jobs down the road in management or go to grad school. It's all a personal decision but there is really no need for BSN nurses to call ASN nurses unqualified and there is no need for ASN nurses to be defensive towards BSN nurses.

jambala · Jul 4, 2012

go for RN

minnymi · Jul 4, 2012

Why haven't they spoken up with a position paper about the BSN? Just do it...

my guess would be because there are too many ADN educated nurses who have a voice and they are more worried about their pride so instead of raising the standards they keep them the same. some people take things way too personally as is evident on this very board. they feel that raising the standards will somehow take away their worth. heck, why don't we just go back to the good ole' days and start plucking prostitutes off the streets.....it's just nursing.

PMFB-RN, RN · Jul 4, 2012

my guess would be because there are too many adn educated nurses who have a voice

*** dang! how how can we keep them from having a voice? what right do they have to participate in any discussion related to professional nursing?

and they are more worried about their pride so instead of raising the standards

*** there has been no proposal or discussion related to raising the standard. the discussion is only about bsn as entry to practice.