ADN or BSN?

I am taking a poll for a project in my nursing class. I am interested in seeing if RN's think that you should have a BSN to practice nursing. Please vote I will use the results in my presentation.

thank you

futrnurse

[Pat krupski]

I have both. I found that the ADN training was very helpful for the hand on care for my patients but left me wanting for the why. The BSN did not give me the hands on I liked but the whys were answered. I glad I went the way I did and received both type of education.

[AHRN]

I have my BSN, but at the time did not really understand difference BSN or diploma. I'm glad I have it, but also think some of practical hands on learning is missed in BSN programs.

[futrnurse]

:kiss

I am still counting this poll until April 4th. Please vote and make your opinion known. This is a very interesting subject to all nurses and I might add a hot debate... Thank you so much for voting and responding. Please if you look at this poll vote so I can use the results in my presentation for class.

Paula

[futrnurse]

If you vote please give some reasons why you agree or disagree with the fact of being a BSN to practice nursing. Please help me on this project, I will be happy to return the favor.

Paula

[fergus51]

I said BSN because most health care professionals require a bachelors degree and at the very least it would get rid of some of the bickering among nurses about whose program is better.

[lisadavis]

i believe we need one entry level for all RN's. many advanced programs, certifications etc require BSN to obtain. i would like to BSN required and hopefully this would force companies to help their nurses pay for school, so many do not. but i also have this opinion because i plan on going to grad school so i have to have BS/BA might as well be in nursing. by the way i currently hold ADN.:) :)

[ikimiwi]

my daughter wants to be a nurse. I will encourage her to go for her AS first and let the hospital pay for her BSN. My friends daughter is grad in May with a BSN and thousands in debt that is a great way to get the best of both worlds

[lalaxton]

I too went the ADN then BSN route. I agree that BSN programs for the most part do not have as much clinical time as the ADN programs. The best of both worlds would be to increase the clinical time in BSN programs and then make that the entry to practice. Why? As a previous poster stated you learn more of the 'why'.

By the way this is happening in Canada, by 2004 the minimum for entry to practice will be a BSN. Nurses will still be able to start at the community college level and move into a University program. Many colleges and Universities have already started colaborating on these type of 'bridge' programs.

[micro, RN]

well for a selfish reason, I am ten years out and have an ADN.....RN with other training, but have yet to pursue specifically my BSN.......

let me grandfather in.....and assist with work schedule and tuition.........not a problem with BSN's.......

but there are various levels of nursing

cna's

lpn's,

RN-ADN

RN-BSN

RN-MSN

what I prefer more than just across the board is employers or mandates that reward and assist the nurse to further their career.........and move on up through education as there are so many opportunities out there.......

as a fellow poster and friend of mine.....Jayna...working in Vietnam at moment to help with the WHO and help develop and make nursing practice possibly "a bit more up to date"...check out her posts on universal precautions.........and encourage her to post more.....

and to all of us great nurses out there currently, soon to be and everyone else.....

micro gotta go put on her nursing face now.....

[live4today, RN]

If the laws change putting into effect the BSN as the entry level to one becoming a registered nurse, then I will support that law, and comply. If the law states that the ADN programs can continue, leaving the option to transition to the BSN program of study up to the one opting for that choice after receiving one's registered license, I will be supportive of that as well.

I will certainly be supportive of keeping LPN programs because I am a firm believer that they hold just as great of a professional importance in the healthcare realm today as they did in years past. I will remain supportive of them always. I am married to an LPN who is about to retire from the Army, therefore leaving him with a way to support his family until he decides what career path is for him next. I am also the mother of a LPN, and believe she has the right to remain an LPN if she so chooses (although she has already informed me that she will go on for her RN/AAS degree).

I have no regrets for being a graduate of an AAS Degree nursing program, nor will I hinder anyone else's right to do likewise.

Again, whatever the state laws delegate for nurses, that is what we will all have to abide by. The decision really is NOT in our hands, but the government and state heads that be. Money -- or the lack of -- will always be the determining factor for enacting certain judgments and laws anyway, so we have no real need to cause ourselves undue stress over a situation that is totally out of our hands.

Que sera - sera! Whatever will be - will be! :)

[stevierae]

I gaduated in 1981 with a ADN. Never did have any desire to get a BSN. I think a BSN is necessary only if a nurse wants to move up in management. I say, more power to them. I want to work my 8 hours and go home and forget about the operating room, not deal with the headaches that come with the territory of management. I am impressed with the managerial skilss of some of the young new BSN graduates; I don't mind working under them.