A stupid BSN question.....

[luvmy3kids]

I'm sure all of you are sick of discussing this topic.... but I sincerely have a question that I need help with and some understanding on.

I have a 4 year degree from a Minnesota State School in Corrections and Law Enforcement. I have been out of college for 10 years now and have recently (well it's been in my mind for 15 years) decided to go back to school and get my 2yr RN degree.

I have applied at our local Community College (and was accepted), I start my pre-reqs in the fall and have 5 semesters (taking one course a semester) until I can apply for the RN program. (I have 3 kids and I am a SAHM with a hubby who travels 4 days a week so I'm taking it slow until the kids are all in school)

Anyway, it is a great fit for me. I am extremely excited about getting my ADN and I have high hopes of working in Labor and Delivery/PP/ or the NICU. However, I wonder if I should do more research about getting a BSN since I already have a Bachelors or will just having that Bachelors (even though it's in a different field) be helpful enough? The closest school that offers a BSN program for me is an hour away. My CC is 1/2 hour away. It would take me a lot longer (obviously) and I just don't really want to do it.

I have absolutely no desire to go into any sort of management. I really am only doing this for me. (My husband supports us fine financially) so I'm just fulfilling a dream I've had for many years with the support of my family....

I'm just worried (with all the talk) that someone with a BSN is going to be considered for a position over me. Or will the fact that I have a Bachelors help at all (even though it's in a different field??)....

I prefer the ADN because of all it's components fitting just right for me right now, but is the BSN something I should look closer at?

Thanks for reading this... sorry it's so long... any advice or just encouragement would be appreciated....

[firstyearstudent]

I think Melina has a good point. If you already have a BA, you can get a BSN in LESS time than you could get an ADN so why not get a BSN?

However, the finances were a factor for me. ADN programs at community colleges are extemely low cost. And students who already have a bachelor's degree often do not qualify for financial aid and scholarships.

[TazziRN, RN]

I think Melina has a good point. If you already have a BA, you can get a BSN in LESS time than you could get an ADN so why not get a BSN?

However, the finances were a factor for me. ADN programs at community colleges are extemely low cost. And students who already have a bachelor's degree often do not qualify for financial aid and scholarships.

The OP already said it was going to take time even for an ADN because of her kids, and the CC is closer to home. Even though she already has a BA, she will still have to take extra classes to get her BSN.

[imenid37]

She could always do RN-MSN post ADN. There are plenty of those programs w/ more sure to come.

[rn/writer, RN]

Do what works for your family now. You aren't closing any doors by going for the ADN over the BSN. There are so many options for further education--should you decide you want it--that you need not worry that you will be missing the proverbial boat.

You can obtain a BSN down the road. You CANNOT relive the time with your kids. For anyone who must take on an intense schedule while their kids are small, they should do what they have to do. But you have found a schedule that will allow you to make slow but steady progress AND still keep things manageable at home. This seems like a no-brainer.

I wish you well.

[hospitalstaph]

Do what works for your family now. You aren't closing any doors by going for the ADN over the BSN. There are so many options for further education--should you decide you want it--that you need not worry that you will be missing the proverbial boat.

You can obtain a BSN down the road. You CANNOT relive the time with your kids. For anyone who must take on an intense schedule while their kids are small, they should do what they have to do. But you have found a schedule that will allow you to make slow but steady progress AND still keep things manageable at home. This seems like a no-brainer.

I wish you well.

Exactly! In a perfect world we could do it all, but this is not a perfect world. I am happy to be getting my ADN over 3 1/2 years and spending lots of time with the kids. When I am done they will all be in school and I can work on my BSN. The education possibilites in nursing make it a wonderful field to go into. The BSN in will be there later, those sweet little smiles will not.

T

[luvmy3kids]

You guys are so smart! I guess I knew what the answer was I just wanted to hear it from others who have been there....

It will take me a long time to get my ADN and/or my BSN.... either way it's going to be a challenging trek... but I'm willing to do it....

BTW On a side note.... since I graduated from college... I've had these dreams (usually about once a month) where I am either in high school or college and I get to class and I've either forgotten to do my homework or it's missing or I'm late for class and I miss the test.... etc...

I've had these dreams for a long time... anyway... ever since I decided to go back for my RN.... the dreams have stopped! And I just know it's because I've always felt that something was missing in my life... (even though I have a great husband, great kids, a great family, etc)... It was just that I'd get to where I would need to be and I wouldn't have what I needed to have with me... (make sense???) LOL

And I guess that no matter how I go about getting there, as long as it ends with me being an RN that's all that counts... right??? And the stupid dreams of feeling like a basket case are gone! Whew... That's the most important thing.. LOL

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

18 years of nursing and I've never seen a BSN get a position just because of the BSN.

I guess it depends on what part of the country you're in and what the position is. I have people in my class that are managers, and house supervisors. When I worked in NC the hospital required all managers to be Mastered prepared.

Here, I recently got a big fat no when I asked if I could take a recently vacated position as the educator on our unit. I thought my years on this floor (over ten) would give me an edge in the door. "Don't even apply without a BSN, you won't be considered". In my mind's eye "what can a BSN teach me on this unit that I don't already know after working here for 10 years and 14 years in this hospital?". plus I was already working on my BSN. The answer is probably nothing, but I'm out the door looking in without that piece of paper. I just do see me running up and down the halls and pulling and tugging patients when I'm in my 60s. I need options.

Mind you, I've never seen a preference for one over the other at the bedside.

My point to the op was it wasn't just management that uses the BSN and it might prove valuable later, so not to completely rule it out in the future because she has no desire to be a manager. It already sounds like she made up her mind to get the ADN and just needed validation that it was the a good choice.......and it certainly is. (edited, my hunch about her mind being made up proved correct as she posted above while I was editing and typing this one. :))

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

You guys are so smart! I guess I knew what the answer was I just wanted to hear it from others who have been there....

It will take me a long time to get my ADN and/or my BSN.... either way it's going to be a challenging trek... but I'm willing to do it....

BTW On a side note.... since I graduated from college... I've had these dreams (usually about once a month) where I am either in high school or college and I get to class and I've either forgotten to do my homework or it's missing or I'm late for class and I miss the test.... etc...

I've had these dreams for a long time... anyway... ever since I decided to go back for my RN.... the dreams have stopped! And I just know it's because I've always felt that something was missing in my life... (even though I have a great husband, great kids, a great family, etc)... It was just that I'd get to where I would need to be and I wouldn't have what I needed to have with me... (make sense???) LOL

And I guess that no matter how I go about getting there, as long as it ends with me being an RN that's all that counts... right??? And the stupid dreams of feeling like a basket case are gone! Whew... That's the most important thing.. LOL

Good luck to you!!

Don't worry about feeling like a basket case, because soon enough you will be one. LOL

[TazziRN, RN]

I guess it depends on what part of the country you're in and what the position is. I have people in my class that are managers, and house supervisors. When I worked in NC the hospital required all managers to be Mastered prepared.

Here, I recently got a big fat no when I asked if I could take a recently vacated position as the educator on our unit. I thought my years on this floor (over ten) would give me an edge in the door. "Don't even apply without a BSN, you won't be considered". In my mind's eye "what can a BSN teach me on this unit that I don't already know after working here for 10 years and 14 years in this hospital?". plus I was already working on my BSN. The answer is probably nothing, but I'm out the door looking in without that piece of paper. I just do see me running up and down the halls and pulling and tugging patients when I'm in my 60s. I need options.

Mind you, I've never seen a preference for one over the other at the bedside.

My point to the op was it wasn't just management that uses the BSN and it might prove valuable later, so not to completely rule it out in the future because she has no desire to be a manager. It already sounds like she made up her mind to get the ADN and just needed validation that it was the a good choice.......and it certainly is. (edited, my hunch about her mind being made up proved correct as she posted above while I was editing and typing this one. :))

You didn't read my entire post. I said that there are certain positions where a BSN is required, but otherwise the type of degree has never mattered if a position was open to both BSNs and ADNs, because the desired qualifications pertain to both.

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

I too had a bachelor's degree in a different field and wanted to go into nursing. It was a tough decision for me but I chose the BSN route, mainly because I feel I might not always want to stay in a hospital, and for that reason I gutted it out a finally got my BSN. I worked full time and managed to take classes either full time or part time, but I am glad I did it. It was painful in the short term, but I think if I hadn't gotten the BSN I would have regretted it in the future. However, an RN is an RN regardless of the degree and I know excellent RN's who are ADN as well as BSN it is what you make of it.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

You didn't read my entire post. I said that there are certain positions where a BSN is required, but otherwise the type of degree has never mattered if a position was open to both BSNs and ADNs, because the desired qualifications pertain to both.

Sorry, I read the entire post but misunderstood what the point was because you a "a position" and "almost all positions". Too much for my mushy brain after a 12 hour shift. :)

I agree, in a position where they are looking only as the RN as a qualification, I've seen the same thing. Both are on equal footing, with experience probably winning out over degree.

[TazziRN, RN]

Sorry, I read the entire post but misunderstood what the point was because you a "a position" and "almost all positions". Too much for my mushy brain after a 12 hour shift. :)

I know the feeling! Sometimes I feel like I've been hit by a truck after 12 hours!