A Response from the OP on the issue (poor choice of words) on the concept of a ADN Vs. BSN

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Hi Readers,

I wanted to address a few things after reading the responses I received from my first article: " I failed out of nursing school... Appealed and WON!! Some were comical, most of them were critical, many were rude, but a few were really sweet and I appreciate the kind words.

  • First Point I would like to address is the misspelling of "Baccalaureate" . I am not the best at spelling, and yes I am ADHD. I have always struggled and because of my learning disability I tend to be impulsive. I should have used spellcheck. Lesson learned. It was a mistake. I'm not perfect, never have been and don't ever care to be.
  • After reading the enormous amount of rude,funny, and downright hateful comment's regarding the ADN Vs. BSN comment. I want to SINCERELY apologize to those who thought I was being demeaning or downplaying the role of ADN nurses, LPNs etc. That was never my intention. After re-reading my post as well as the comments I received I now realize I probably should have chosen my words more wisely or maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that in my post in the first place. This issue was recently brought up in my Leadership & Nursing Management class, I actually spoke out and said that a new graduate BSN nurse would not be as equipped as the ADN nurse with a number of years experience. My professor quickly responded saying that I was wrong, which I found to be odd because I know for a fact that as a new grad (in a few months) I will not have the experience or confidence that a seasoned ADN nurse has. I respect all healthcare professionals and I certainly do not think I am better just because I had to take two extra classes in order to receive my BSN (I am sure this will be taken out of context & and will receive comments that are mean.. go ahead I have tough skin)
  • Third point I would like to address is: I found it really disheartening that some of the rude/hateful comments I received were from nurses both ADN & BSN, nursing professors etc. Nurses care for others, we ALL have or should have compassion. Last time I checked, When a person decides to become a nurse, they make the most important decision of their lives. They choose to dedicate themselves to the care of others. Some of the comments I read had no compassion, they lacked understanding, and these were written by nurses?!
  • Last point I would like to address and mention is that I may have failed but it wasn't because I didn't study or worked hard. I wasn't the only one who failed. 11 out of 30 SENIOR NURSING students failed this particular class. Students with 4.0 GPA's, and even one's who have never failed anything in their ENTIRE life. Nine students appealed and there were only TWO that were successful including myself. I am very fortunate to have won my appeal and know that I will BE ONE HELL OF A NURSE & hopefully one day Professor.

Everyone has a right to their opinion, and I understand that I may have offended many of the readers, however again that was not my intention. I apologize and I hope that I straightened out a few issues. ALSO I want to shout out to the HATERS.... THANK YOU!

Sincerely,

JB The "OP" :)

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I just wanted to thank you for your measured response to the issues brought up by the first thread. You seem to be a very level-headed person who knows how to present a good case. I am certain this quality came across to the committee, helping you to win your appeal. Good luck going forward.

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Thank you! I was appalled at some of the comments but I wanted to clear the air because my "OP" was not intended to offend anyone. Also it wasn't written for an applause, it was written to let other's know that it is possible to win a nursing school appeal. When I was researching and preparing for my appeal meeting, I did not find one appeal that was successful. My intention was to hopefully inspire those who read it. But most importantly to give hope to nursing students who may be on the verge of failing, or one's who did fail to keep trying and NEVER EVER GIVE UP! If my appeal was not successful I would have been a nurse regardless, I was already making appointments at local community colleges to enroll in an ADN program. This is a story about perseverance.... it's my journey and I would not take it back.

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Also to answer your question in the OP. Yes the exam questions I contested and points I gained back were given to all students who missed them.

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Specializes in ICU.

Don't worry about what other people think. In my program, if you don't send in the dispute form yourself, you don't get the points. Someone else may have successfully disputed and won, but if you don't send in the clarification/rationale form yourself, you are SOL. And it should be that way. I myself have ever only disputed one question and I lost, no big deal. Plenty of others have disputed and won. If they took the time to look it up and I don't, then they should win the appeal, not me. Now if it is a huge error, like the professor just had the answer wrong and they realize it later, then they give it back to the whole class.

I'm personally tired of the whole ADN vs. BSN thing. It's a personal route for everyone. The way everyone chooses to get there is different. No one way is better than the other, as we all lead different lives and what is important to each one of us at the time is different. I'm happy with the way I am doing things. I'm getting my ADN, going to get a job, hopefully move to the bigger city with my man, then get my BSN. But I am at a different stage in my life than many people. I'm a 39 year old single mom. I have different goals than most.

So congrats, on winning your appeal. And honestly, don't sweat what the others think. :)

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.

While the overall naivety and tone of your manifesto was off putting the "meant for greatness" line did me in. Any humble apology for that one?

No one will ever know if you "intended to offend" but you clearly did when you brought up the BSN better than thou argument. I have heard this insult since the 1980s so I am certain ADN nurses are more than fed up. I think your poking an old wound with a fresh young finger raised the hackles.

As far as perfection goes, of course no one is perfect but a flip attitude that "I don't ever care to be" won't be very comforting to a family who suffers because of your med error. And you WILL make a med error. The best nurses do care to be perfect in that area.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I have a favorite siggy line: "Don't come in with a chip; bring a bat, and use it when necessary."

AN has a loooong history of many threads, some issues are going to arise, no matter how you slice it.

Yes you are amongst not only nurses but nursing students, people who know nurses, patients, nursing instructors and future employers, as well as people who wish to play a nurse on TV. ;)

Nurses are not only compassionate per se, we are direct and give "tough love"; we are empathetic and we get to the point in order to critically think in order to best intervene with our pts and our peers.

Also, it's the Internet; forums take a life of their own, and battling on the Internet-really? It's never that serious-really; also sometimes a self evaluation of reading into tone hearing your own voice of how you perceive vs what is really being said-makes a difference as well.

Apologize and move on; focus on the NCLEX; where there are not going to be challenges but only absolutes; and focus on being the best nurse by being the three C's: Consistent, Competent, and Confident- by being a sponge and learning from many sources, so you can eventually become a nursing professor and be able to pass on the best educational path for your future students.

Best wishes.

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Thank you LadyFree28 for the advice and I liked your favorite line. I will have to remember that one!

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While the overall naivety and tone of your manifesto was off putting the "meant for greatness" line did me in. Any humble apology for that one?

No one will ever know if you "intended to offend" but you clearly did when you brought up the BSN better than thou argument. I have heard this insult since the 1980s so I am certain ADN nurses are more than fed up. I think your poking an old wound with a fresh young finger raised the hackles.

As far as perfection goes, of course no one is perfect but a flip attitude that "I don't ever care to be" won't be very comforting to a family who suffers because of your med error. And you WILL make a med error. The best nurses do care to be perfect in that area.

Maverick-

I wasn't going to respond but what really did me in was your over all ignorant and demeaning tone. I will not give a humble apology for the statement of "I was meant for greatness" because I believe in working hard, persevering, and standing up for what I believe. I agree with Heathermaizy when she said she is personally tired of this whole BSN Vs. ADN thing. It doesn't matter whether you are a BSN or ADN nurse it is the SAME JOB, only difference is that a BSN nurse can continue their education and obtain a masters degree. If you read my response earlier then you would have read that I mentioned if my nursing school appeal was not successful then I would have still pursued nursing at an ADN program.

Also, the " I don't care to be perfect" comment was referring to a minor spelling error. Not a MED ERROR, I know as a nurse I will make mistakes because EVERY NURSE HAS OR WILL MAKE A MISTAKE. And if they say they haven't they are LYING. I strive to be the best I can be and I pray that I never make an error that causes significant harm or worse death to a patient. They say that "Nurses prey on and eat their young", after your rude and negative comments, I'd say that's the truth. One day when I'm a nurse with 34 years of experience and 21 years in a speciality, I will use my wisdom and knowledge to guide young nurses, new grads, etc. to the best of my ability. NOT TEAR THEM DOWN

Regards, JB

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Thank You, Heathermaizey for your kind words! I agree with you completely and I wish you nothing but the best while you are finishing school. Good luck, I am positive you will have your BSN before you know it!!

-JB :)

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Specializes in Oncology/StemCell Transplant; Psychiatry.

No offense OP (and I honestly mean "no offense", not the tongue-in-cheek "no offense" that allows you to say whatever you want just because you start the sentence with "no offense"), but you are still coming off as just as impulsive and naive as you did in your first thread. I think you need to just let it go. By continuing to post about this, you are keeping it fresh on everyone's minds and opening yourself up for more "nasty comments."

Just my thoughts...

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

I don't think I even commented on your thread, but I read the whole thing. You haven't learned a damn thing, and your apology is hollow. You're still making excuses.

Please don't pull out the compassion card. It gets so old. You aren't my patient, my student, nor someone I love. You act stupid on the Internet...and continue to under the guise of an apology, your virtual butt will be set on virtual fire.

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