So much negativity towards Associate Degree Nurses

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hello all! I figured it will be safer to post here than in the general nursing forums, since alot of my fellow Excelsior grads post here regularly. I've read some recent and past posts regarding this ADN vs BSN debate, and it actually make me feel like the scrapings off the bottom of a barrel due to the fact that I only have a ADN. There a few members who are totally anti-ADN and is basically blaming the Diploma and Associate Degree Nurses for the reason why nurses are not considered to be professionals. These members go on to say that doctors will never respect us if the entry-level to nursing isn't changed to BSN instead of ADN.

Every step in my professional life has been earned with hard-work and dedication. In 2002, I started as a CNA in a hospital. In 2005, I became a LPN. In 2010, I became a RN. I've worked full-time while going to school for my LPN and RN. I was paying my own rent, bills, ect while focusing on advancing my career. My family and co-workers have been very proud of my accomplishments. My parents have my RN degree and license framed and hung on the wall as a proud display. I used to be very proud of my accomplishments until I became a regular visitor to this website. It seems like each day there is a student nurse or a pre-nursing student who asks the same question regarding whether they should go for their ADN or BSN, which as usual sparks a beat down of all ADN programs and nurses. There is the nursing news section that a member will post something regarding nurses are not viewed as professionals, which will have certain members again reiterating that ADN and Diploma nurses are to blame.

I have all intentions of completing my BSN in due time, but I never thought I will be viewed as a disgrace to the nursing profession because I have an Associate Degree. Am I being too overly-sensitive or is there others who feel the ADN bashing is also getting to them?

Hello all! I figured it will be safer to post here than in the general nursing forums, since alot of my fellow Excelsior grads post here regularly. I've read some recent and past posts regarding this ADN vs BSN debate, and it actually make me feel like the scrapings off the bottom of a barrel due to the fact that I only have a ADN. There a few members who are totally anti-ADN and is basically blaming the Diploma and Associate Degree Nurses for the reason why nurses are not considered to be professionals. These members go on to say that doctors will never respect us if the entry-level to nursing isn't changed to BSN instead of ADN.

Every step in my professional life has been earned with hard-work and dedication. In 2002, I started as a CNA in a hospital. In 2005, I became a LPN. In 2010, I became a RN. I've worked full-time while going to school for my LPN and RN. I was paying my own rent, bills, ect while focusing on advancing my career. My family and co-workers have been very proud of my accomplishments. My parents have my RN degree and license framed and hung on the wall as a proud display. I used to be very proud of my accomplishments until I became a regular visitor to this website. It seems like each day there is a student nurse or a pre-nursing student who asks the same question regarding whether they should go for their ADN or BSN, which as usual sparks a beat down of all ADN programs and nurses. There is the nursing news section that a member will post something regarding nurses are not viewed as professionals, which will have certain members again reiterating that ADN and Diploma nurses are to blame.

I have all intentions of completing my BSN in due time, but I never thought I will be viewed as a disgrace to the nursing profession because I have an Associate Degree. Am I being too overly-sensitive or is there others who feel the ADN bashing is also getting to them?

I have heard that the BSN degree is only more college credit hours. I think you basically get the same clinical experience which shouldn't make a difference. It is just a title and more schooling.

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Specializes in Critical Care (SICU/Trauma).

I can speak from my own experience. We have a BSN and an ADN program here in the same town. I know they didn't get as much clinical exp as I did nor did they get a Critical Care Practicum like I did. It's school dependent. Don't generalize.

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Maybe it is also based on the state in which you are going to school. I am in Missouri and that is what I have been told by other people. I agree that it is not about your level of education but your quality of care.

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Specializes in Oncology, Psych, Corrections.
Hello all! I figured it will be safer to post here than in the general nursing forums, since alot of my fellow Excelsior grads post here regularly. I've read some recent and past posts regarding this ADN vs BSN debate, and it actually make me feel like the scrapings off the bottom of a barrel due to the fact that I only have a ADN. There a few members who are totally anti-ADN and is basically blaming the Diploma and Associate Degree Nurses for the reason why nurses are not considered to be professionals. These members go on to say that doctors will never respect us if the entry-level to nursing isn't changed to BSN instead of ADN.

Every step in my professional life has been earned with hard-work and dedication. In 2002, I started as a CNA in a hospital. In 2005, I became a LPN. In 2010, I became a RN. I've worked full-time while going to school for my LPN and RN. I was paying my own rent, bills, ect while focusing on advancing my career. My family and co-workers have been very proud of my accomplishments. My parents have my RN degree and license framed and hung on the wall as a proud display. I used to be very proud of my accomplishments until I became a regular visitor to this website. It seems like each day there is a student nurse or a pre-nursing student who asks the same question regarding whether they should go for their ADN or BSN, which as usual sparks a beat down of all ADN programs and nurses. There is the nursing news section that a member will post something regarding nurses are not viewed as professionals, which will have certain members again reiterating that ADN and Diploma nurses are to blame.

I have all intentions of completing my BSN in due time, but I never thought I will be viewed as a disgrace to the nursing profession because I have an Associate Degree. Am I being too overly-sensitive or is there others who feel the ADN bashing is also getting to them?

I worked hard for nearly 6 years (while unhappily married) to get my ADN. I am dang proud of it! I have been a nurse for 5 years and am now going back for my BSN and will eventually go into grad school. I'm doing this for myself and not for anyone else. I have more potential and eventually want to get into a management position. The people with "better' degrees don't necessarily make better nurses...I've seen my fair share that shouldn't have even considered nursing! :eek:

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