When attending a traditional BSN program, are students told they're better than ADNs?

Nola009 · Feb 25, 2014

People, I dont have a chip on my shoulder. Before these girls ever saw me work (all they really knew was my name and that Im a new RN) they prefaced getting to know me with 'Hi, I have a BSN. What about you??'

Yeah, that rubbed me the wrong way. Especially when I'M the new grad (ADN) RN and Im seeing them make silly mistakes that our nsg instructors would have failed us for. Its really annoying.

Nola009 · Feb 25, 2014

A BSN is B.S. Nursing! I was in the field with two years' experience while they were writing research papers on how to do APA format. That does NOT make for better nursing, kids. There should be a clinical pathway for those of us who want to work, and n ivory tower pathway for those who want to promote more schooling. Who says more education equals better nursing? The schools...hellooooo! ADNs of the world be proud..we have an RN that is identical to any RN and don't forget that. Can we help it if we were savvy enough to skip the statistics and research crap? This is all for the sake of schools getting more money and hospitals trying to get magnet status. Trust me, no one really gives a rat's behind about us, any of us. It's all about the dollar.

Four years or two, we all took the same NCLEX. It just takes some people a little longer, lol

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

I feel like if you think you can "tell" whose an ADN vs a BSN - holding Registered Nurse (and only sometimes at that) then you have got some preconceived notions. Who put them there?

ADNs have usually had more hands on in hospital experience than BSNs... Which is consistent with one of the typical ADN vs BSN debates. It's really been a long time since I've been around a new grad ADN because my unit doesn't get ADN students and only hires BSNs.

Tina, RN · Feb 25, 2014

I don't comment on these ADN vs BSN threads, and usually don't even read them. They are always filled with such negativity. Based upon this title, it sounded like a more interesting discussion. But, it has morphed into the same old thing.

That being said, I do have a BSN. I remember in school being told that ADN nurses were "technical nurses" and BSN nurses were "professional nurses". Whatever. You can't go wrong with more education in this day and age. I'd go on to my MSN, if I was able. I don't think an MSN nurse is "better" than me, but that person is without a doubt more educated. I admire that, because I value higher education.

Things will probably never change with regard to the ADN vs BSN. It's a shame. Nurses simply can't respect eachother, everything has to be a battle. Don't get me wrong, I have worked with amazing LPN, ADN, and BSN. But it's ridiculous when you read a thread and practically feel guilty for having a BSN. LOL

Hpy_Vly_RNBSN · Feb 25, 2014

I don't think I am any better than an ADN I'm just very happy that I can work in any hospital without the fear of losing my job or being told I must go back to school because the hospital is requiring RNs to have their BSN This is the way of the world these days but all I have now that you don't is a crap ton more debt.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 25, 2014

PhD>MS>BS>AS>Certificate>Nothing

There. Simple math. Problem solved lets move on.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

I don't comment on these ADN vs BSN threads, and usually don't even read them. They are always filled with such negativity. Based upon this title, it sounded like a more interesting discussion. But, it has morphed into the same old thing.
That being said, I do have a BSN. I remember in school being told that ADN nurses were "technical nurses" and BSN nurses were "professional nurses". Whatever. You can't go wrong with more education in this day and age. I'd go on to my MSN, if I was able. I don't think an MSN nurse is "better" than me, but that person is without a doubt more educated. I admire that, because I value higher education.
Things will probably never change with regard to the ADN vs BSN. It's a shame. Nurses simply can't respect eachother, everything has to be a battle. Don't get me wrong, I have worked with amazing LPN, ADN, and BSN. But it's ridiculous when you read a thread and practically feel guilty for having a BSN. LOL

I don't think your should read through a post and feel guilty about having one nor should this conversation morph into a bashing of BSNs, either.

I think we can respect our education enough to have an intelligent conversation on how education and experience can develop a good nurse, and examine why that is NOT a bad thing; and how this thread has NOTHING to do with the "other" threads and get this thread back on track. :blink:

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

I think what makes things more complicated today is that there are many second career ADN nurses. I have a BS and a Masters, but I am an ADN-trained nurse. I have more education that some BSN students, just not in nursing. I see BSN nurses who just concentrate on the tasks assigned to them for the shift and then I see ADN nurses critically thinking to find out why X pt in getting Y treatment for Z condition. I am in the middle of an RN-BSN program and one of the first papers this term is discussing the difference between a baccalaureate prepared nurse... I have a baccalaureate degree. My hospital looks at other education, not just the nursing preparation. Very few ADN nurses have strictly a 2 year degree, most have had 2 years of pre-reqs. (Which I don't understand why they did not attend a 4 year program). I work with a mix of nurses, some were trained in other countries. Everyone wants be the best they can be and everyone brings something to the table. I think it really has/should be a moot point.

Kipahni, RN · Feb 25, 2014

Having worked as adjunct for both ADN and BSN, I can say neither is "better" than the other. Both had to offer a set amount of clinical hours so that their students could meet the requirement for the state board. Both had to have rigorous tests and application standards. Both had many of the same pre req's.

What I did notice was the individual students. Some were quicker then others but that was not specific to the program, it was specific to the individual.

But that being said this is where a lot of education is headed to: I am leary as this is the aacn who is promoting this so of coorifice there is financial gain to be had here.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing | The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice

I will also say that in my area one of the questions a new hire will be asked is " Do you plan on continuing on to get your bachelors?" As this is the push of Magnet status.

I personally wish Magnat status was more like this

Magnet status: What it is, what it is not, and what it could be

lub dub · Feb 25, 2014

Tthat's right! Envy me because I took more Humanities and Philosophy classes than you did! Haha.

Oh noooooo.................. :banghead:

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

Oh noooooo..................

Well you saw the quote I was saying that in response to right?

malamud69, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

A BSN is B.S. Nursing! I was in the field with two years' experience while they were writing research papers on how to do APA format. That does NOT make for better nursing, kids. There should be a clinical pathway for those of us who want to work, and n ivory tower pathway for those who want to promote more schooling. Who says more education equals better nursing? The schools...hellooooo! ADNs of the world be proud..we have an RN that is identical to any RN and don't forget that. Can we help it if we were savvy enough to skip the statistics and research crap? This is all for the sake of schools getting more money and hospitals trying to get magnet status. Trust me, no one really gives a rat's behind about us, any of us. It's all about the dollar.

I love this post! And must ask...does any of it really matter when you are wiping somebodies...a@#....???