SICK of BSN Pedestal

Students ADN/BSN

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You are reading page 9 of SICK of BSN Pedestal

This is a generalization, but I feel like you don't fully appreciate an education unless you have it, and you are demonstrating that in your post. I can think of more noble battles to fight than attacking people for pursuing a higher level of education.

ERloverRN

19 Posts

I just finished my ADN to RN. I do not regret it. BSN takes you on up the chain an if your like me you want your MSN. Having more education is never ever a dumb thing! The way I think is totally different now as opposed to two years ago. I don't make rash decisions, I research, and I am a better critical thinker. I am better suited for a leadership role. As far as pre reqs the only ones I had to take we're stats, economics, Vietnam war, creative writing, and cultural diversity. All these classes make me a better nurse and a better thinker.

There is nothing wrong with getting your ADN but go for the gold because you want to be a more well rounded person.

BrandonLPN, LPN

3,358 Posts

As a profession, a bachelors degree has always been the foundation for a discipline to be called a profession. I went through an ADN program and our first day of class. we were told ADNs are considered "technical nurses" and the BSN is the "professional" nurse. ADNs were produced back in the day strictly for bedside nursing while the BSN prepared nurse did all of the health teaching, care plans, etc. I finished my ADN in 1998 and my BSN in 2000 and it's true that the BSN makes you a well rounded person as compared to other programs that offer BS/BA degrees. In our profession, BSN nurses receive nursing research, leadership/management training, and communithy health, which ADN nurses do not receive. ADN education is geared towards immediate clinical application whereas BSN nurses are prepared for more of a generalist role.
I agree with this post. So I hope you realize nursing will always need a class of nurses whose education is geared toward immediate clinical application. Call it "tasky", or whatever dirty word you want, but the bedside nursing will always be a largely technical, hands on occupation. That's why there is a need for LPNs and ADNs. Unless you want to just abandon the bedside role completely to UAP? There seems to be this idea that we can raise our status and pay and still continue doing bedside care. That's not how these things work. You'll find yourself working with more and more techs because you've priced yourself right out of the market. And if we raise the level of entry but RNs still make what they make now, then what was the point?? Raising educational standards without an increase in pay is a complete waste of time and effort.

SleeepyRN

1,076 Posts

Wow... Bitter much?? I'm sorry - but I'm tired of people trying to dumb down the BSN. How can more education be a bad thing?? Do I think having a BSN makes me a better nurse than an ADN? NO! I was trained by an AMAZING ADN preceptor & work alongside many fantastic ADN nurses. But am I proud of earning my bachelor degree? HELL YES! It makes me angry that this is always such a hot topic for debate. Why judge someone for continuing their own education? And for the record - it was not just "an extra PE class" that earned me that degree! That's just an ignorant statement to make & it's offensive. I have yet to hear a BSN nurse make derogatory comments toward ADN nurses...because quite honestly, I don't believe that most BSN nurses consider it an issue, but damned if I don't constantly see a new thread on AN nearly every week bashing nurses who went for their BSN. It's all so petty and not conducive to the work environment at all! Sorry to come across harsh - it's just frustrating to be made to feel like I need to constantly defend my hard earned degree. I am proud of it, just as an ADN should be proud of theirs.

I feel the same towards the LPN/RN debate. I don't look down on LPNs but I'm sure as heck proud of my RN! HOWEVER. I am with the OP on this one. Maybe I wouldn't be if I didn't already have 94 credits from a university before even taking my pre-reqs for nursing. So I do believe my education is higher than that of many BSNs. And I most certainly have been looked down upon for "only" having an ADN. You apparently are not one of them, but it happens. I'll have my BSN soon (I only had to take 9 more classes because all my pre-reqs had previously been completed) and sooo many of the classes descriptions are exactly what some of my classes in my ADN program already covered. I will admit though, that all ADN programs are different, and mine just happened to be well rounded, including community/public health, professionial issues in nursing, leadership and management...that many ADN programs do not emphasize.

Honestly the biggest thing that bothers me is calling an ADN a 2 year degree. 4 science classes, nutrition, 2 psych classes, 2 English classes, humanities, PLUS 2 years including summer of nursing classes is NOT a 2 year degree. I just so happened to have already taken all those except nutrition and 1 psych class before I decided to pursue nursing.

Also keep in mind that not all BSN's are equal either. Most BSNs only require Inorganic chemistry I, while Lewis University for example requires both I and II and Organic Chem. Having already taken those classes because I am a double major in Biology, I can honestly say having to take Inorganic Chem 2, and Organic chem I to receive a BSN is RIDICULOUS.

Ntheboat2

366 Posts

I didn't read any of the posts in this thread. I just had to point out that the number of errors in your post are very funny and ironic. Thanks!

KelKelRN

25 Posts

Your bitterness doesn't really change a critical fact in this situation, which you overlooked... There are numerous studies which show that the a higher level of education in nursing staff equates to better patient outcomes. I'm not disagreeing that ADNs do the same job and pass the same licensing exam, but I don't really think denegrating those who opted to go the extra mile for the BSN really helps your argument.

FlyingScot, RN

2,016 Posts

Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.
In our profession, BSN nurses receive nursing research, leadership/management training, and communithy health, which ADN nurses do not receive.

Sorry Dude but wrong. I had all three of these in my DIPLOMA program waaaaay back in 1985. Some programs may not have them but many do.

I find these types of discussions to be absolutely pointless. They are mostly filled with opinions, anecdotal (read "worthless") experiences, gross overgeneralizations and repeated reference to ONE study that has since been discredited.

Seriously, has anything positive ever come out of these types of threads?

BrandonLPN, LPN

3,358 Posts

Your bitterness doesn't really change a critical fact in this situation, which you overlooked... There are numerous studies which show that the a higher level of education in nursing staff equates to better patient outcomes. I'm not disagreeing that ADNs do the same job and pass the same licensing exam, but I don't really think denegrating those who opted to go the extra mile for the BSN really helps your argument.
No, they do not show an equation to BSN nurses and better patient outcomes. They show, at best, a statistically minuscule (much less than 1%) *correlation* between the two. But correlation does NOT equal causation. Yes, hospitals with a higher percentage of BSNs have, on average, a fraction of a percent better outcomes than hospitals with mostly ADNs. BUT, you have to keep in mind which hospitals tend to have more BSNs on staff. It's the large, metropolitan hospitals that have more BSNs, while it's the small, rural hospitals that have more ADNs. Which of these two groups of hospitals has more access to the best diagnostic equipment? Which has access to the best specialists? Heck, the large metropolitan hospitals have better staffing rations, for crying out loud. So, think about it. Maybe, just maybe, that itty bitty difference in pt outcomes is influenced by factors OTHER than what kind of degrees it's RNs have.....

lovetheocean

23 Posts

I graduated last year with an ADN. It was only after I got my first RN job a few months later that I realized how difficult it is for ADNs to get jobs, especially at hospitals with Magnet status. I have watched this topic for some time and want to state my opinion regarding the ADN vs. BSN debate. I value education. And though I myself have an ADN and know plenty of competent nurses at my same educational level, a BSN, in most cases, is a more well-rounded nurse. I am in an RN/ BSN program and have broadened my knowledge through classes such as Advanced Assessment RN and Cultural Diversity in Nursing, things that are just not taught as part of the ADN curriculum. The aforementioned courses (among others) have contributed to my increased knowledge and level of competence. It is my humble opinion that nurses should attain a BSN to not only be educationally competitive, but to better serve the patient population. After I complete my BSN this year, I will be pursuing an MSN and possibly an NP. I'm proud to advance educationally, as educated nurses lend credence to our profession and increase the respectability of our place in medicine.

jodyangel, RN

687 Posts

Specializes in L&D.

...on the other side, I'm looking into pursuing my BSN after being out of work and seeing how many hospitals are only hiring...or Preferring BSN nurses.But Ugh...I'm in my 50s and have no desire to take classes OR add 15-30,000$ to my debt.

subee, MSN, CRNA

1 Article; 5,430 Posts

Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

The argument for BSN vs. ADN make not a whit of difference. If the market leans towards BSN, then others will be left behind....period.

Yes, it's inconvenient for an education to cost money. But we don't hear much from other health professionals complain about the cost of their education - they just get on with setting an educational standard and DEALING with it because, by limiting their numbers, they command a salary more commensurate with their educational status.

mct1963

5 Posts

After practicing in a level III NICU for twenty+ years, our managers re-aligned our unit to all 12.5 hour shifts w/4 hour call blocks. About 14 veteran nurses resigned and they are running through new nurses like water...when you are scheduled for call...you will work!!! Finally, I had to take charge of my health and future.

I'll be 50 years old next month, too. I've been chipping away at the degree for years and have 2 courses this term and two in the Fall then, I will have my BSN.

The Children's Hospital across the street is a "Magnet Hospital" and they require all nurses to have their BSN.

$15,000-$30,000 is a lot of money, too.

Now, I concerned that by the time I finish in December, 2013...I'll need a Master's Degree!!!

Good luck!!!

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