WHY does a B.S. + RN not equal BSN

[jlpsu]

I'm not trying to be argumentative here...I'm asking a serious question because I really don't understand. I also didn't post this over in the ADN vs BSN thread because it's not nearly as active. I also searched for answers (so don't skewar me), and while I found others who asked if it's the same and were simply told 'no it's not'...but I couldn't find an answer to WHY it's not. So here it goes...

I have two B.S. degrees..one in Speech Therapy, and the other in Computer Science (don't ask..life detours keep life interesting).

I am now purusuing a nursing career. My mother was a nurse for 40 years. I keep hearing how I really NEED a BSN to move up in the field. But here's the rub - I have no desire to go back for a THIRD BS degree. I have general education coming out the wazoo. At the most I'm willing to go from an RN-MSN program provided I get tuition help from my employer as I've had enough education expenses thankyouverymuch. But another BS degree...Really?

I am also being told, here and in other places, that a B.S. degree in another field, plus an RN license does NOT equal a BSN. I really don't get that. I have the general education from a 4 year degree (and then some), and I will (God willing) have the RN education which basically encompasses the last 2 years of a BSN program (and the program I will be going through actual has MORE clinical hours than the BSN programs locally). So, 2+2 = BSN in my mind. So why doesn't it?

And don't tell me it's because of this elusive Magnet Status either. Because two of our local hospitals have Magnet status and they not only HIRE ADN's, they RUN hospital based diploma programs which spit out wonderfully prepared diploma nurses...who then get hired at said hospitals. So, the theory that Magnet Status hospitals don't hire anything less than BSN's....well, I'm confused on that too because I keep hearing it here - but the reality seems quite different - at least where I live. Feel free to answer that for me too....

So what I am hearing here is...get your BSN. If you get a diploma or ADN first and you already have a BS degree - then you need to do an RN-BSN program which will include your general education...which i ALREADY have! So, what, I take one or two bridge classes and call it a BSN? It not only seems like a money grab from the Universities, but also a semantic technicality by everyone else. What am I missing?

Please, someone - kindly- explain to me the difference between a BS degree in ANYTHING in CONJUNCTION with an RN license...and a BSN. I really want to know.

[CokeMachine]

I got my BS in Kinesiology in 2009 and currently in the 3rd semester of an ADN program. I plan on furthering my nursing education after I get my ADN. Hopefully I can get a job and go back to school.

I know this might sound repetitive but would it be better to do the RN-BSN route or the RN-MSN route?

Im sure theres a lot of factors to consider but any help would be appriciated.

[RNFiona]

Are you serious?

[MunoRN, RN]

if that were true i could agree with you. unfortunately for that soundbite, those "ba-mn" programs have prerequisites, nursing courses to be completed before beginning the mn program requirements.

Not all, there are those that just don't require any additional classes to move from an ASN with a non-nursing bachelor's directly to an MSN program.

[MunoRN, RN]

well, unfortunately, BSN curriculae aren't uniform. Most schools require coursework in microbiology, pathophysiology, organic chemistry and several other classes, that do not always form part of an ADN curriculum and certainly do not form part of all or even most BA or BS curriculae.

And this is not even taking into consideration the specific NURS coursework required.

I also wonder what kind of MSN this is, an MSN-Ed? Management and Leadership? Some MSNs, I am sorry to say, are next to useless.

Micro, patho, and O. Chem I are all part of ADN curriculum throughout my state. (statistics too).

[bbmtnbb]

One of the nurses in the L&D dept I volunteer at (for Clinical Care Extender program) told me the BSN allowed the student to have more managerial/leadership background. The General Ed as previously stated is already covered and the advanced work is solely in nursing, but from what I am told --manager nursing. If you want more clinical then go nurse practitioner. Depends on what direction you want to go. I have read the curriculum and it does look like fluff and not science but I have an Associate of Science in Business Real Estate--tell me how that is a science? But my Associate of Arts in Social Sciences--yes get the humor there--is an Arts degree. lol

[ktliz]

Thanks for the explanations everyone. It's really frustrating. It is interesting though to note that at least one local hospital had job listings requiring ' a BSN or a BS degree and an RN license' so it seems to some employers at least, the education is similar enough.

This is somewhat ambiguous. Does it say, B.S. in any field? The hospital may still want a bachelor's in nursing, since some programs are simply called BS with a major in nursing instead of BSN. Semantics.

[Tjtowne]

This all depends on the B.S. degree that you completed. I have a B.S. in Kinesiology, which is a prerequisite to get into the DPT (doctorate of Physical Therapy) program. There was a post that said basically B.S. have Algebra and BSN has Calculus. This is incorrect. In my B.S. in Kinesiology, I had Calculus, I had a year of Physics (not even needed with a BSN), I had a year of Chemistry, I had two years of working with cadavers (one year in West Bend, Wisconsin - we even got to dissect! Unheard of by most undergrad programs, but, our professor was known for discovering a walleye pigment that is being used in medical treatments. I had one semester in Anatomical Kinesiology, and we were allowed to move some of the tendons and ligaments to understand the movements). I had Statistics for the Health Sciences for understanding research. And, I also had Exercise Physiology, after basic physiology. I interned for 7 months at Froedtert (yes, that is how they spell it) in the cardiorespiratory rehabilitation department, and studied telemetry. At Froedtert, they want people to have a master's degree to be in management. Also, I have managed a collection agency for 2 years, and managed a mental health adult family home for four years. I am sure that my RN (when I finish) and my B.S. that I have equals a BSN, however, I do fear that it will not be recognized as such unless I apply for the MSN (which, with the cost, I do not intend to do). I will do whatever I have to do to get the BSN, however, for me, I believe that this would be extremely repetitive. I will try to view this positively - as, "repetition builds definition" (anyone who strength trains may have be familar with this saying).

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I was under the impression that the Magnet status hospital had to maintain something like 80% BSN staff.

The sad thing is that the BSN is not standardized. In my area, the BSN only has extra general education credits like fine arts, religion/cultural diversity, etc. It does not have extra nursing classes or clinicals. Even the supposed research is covered in an ADN curriculum in my area. We had gerontology, community, leadership, etc. Maybe my ADN program was ahead of its time?

When I was pursuing a BS in psychology, I had better research experience. They actually made first semester students participate as guinea pigs in various experiments but the students got to pick which ones they participated in if they qualified. It was anything from surveys, computer programs, to even going for MRIs (I didn't qualify for the MRI one). Then you participated in the final two semesters with actual physical research (left before that).

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

my point exactly, nursing is the only path that does not honor past academic preparation, as far as gaining post grad degrees.......i can have a bs biology and get a ms in psyc or sociology. bs, RN?

[Barsumian]

Your other bachelor's degrees do not allow you to say you hold the same advanced education background in the nursing major, or profession, since the degrees you currently hold are in old disiplines.

You should really consider doing an accelerated BSN program. They are specifically designed for students who hold a Bachelor's degree, in something other than nursing, from an accredited university. You do not have to take general education course that have been previously completed with the appropriate minimum required grade. They are considered second bachelor's degrees, requiring you to only take the major specific courses to receive the degree. For most colleges, you are required to take a minimum of 30 credit hours from that insititution to graduate with a degree from them. However, since nursing is very specialized and has a lot more required courses that are not available except through nursing programs, you would be required to take all (on average) 60 required credits to obtain a BSN and have the knowledge background to pass the NCLEX. These 60 credits are NOT courses you would have previously taken, nor have any educational background in. Its best to look at a University's course outline for a better understanding of the types of courses you will be taking.

In your situation, as it is the same as mine, I would recommend that you look into an accelerated BSN program. Benefits are that the schooling process is quicker, about 15-18 months, and you are not required to re-take courses that you have already completed. This path gets you quicker to your destination without sacrificing excellent education. This program, however, requires full-time, no life committment, and are very competitive. These types normally only admit once a year, so keep your options open!

Hope this helps, good luck!

[ajmclean]

Because a BSN is a bachelor's program in Nursing.

So no, a bachelor's in art plus an RN licensure will not and won't equal a BSN.

You are starting the obvious that a BSN is a bachelor's program in nursing. The OP is looking for specifics in how it's different. Perhaps mentioning the courses in Leadership, Statistics, etc. might be more helpful.

[bsnprg]

You'll know the difference when you get your BSN

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses