Let me start by saying this is a vent post so if you are not interested in an opinion based post please skip over.
I am currently about to graduate from an ADN program in December. I have worked super hard to get into my program, worked hard throughout my program learning all the same stuff as BSN nursing programs, and just recently took the same Hurst review for the same NCLEX program as BSN students. With that being said, I see so much "title throwing" on this site. By that I mean there are so many posts almost belittling ADN nurses and they are a bit discouraging.
Don't get me wrong I 100% understand it will be more difficult to find a job however here in the DFW where I am at, 2 major hospital groups have partnerships with ADN programs meaning they are still hiring ADN nurses. If anything, and again I mean no disrespect but I hear better things from floor nurses during clinical rotations about our program than some of the major BSN programs in our area.
I guess my frustration comes into play when it seems as though at the point I am in now in terms of getting close to application time there is no support for others. Rather if you read this site and you are an ADN nurse you may feel as though you wasted your time getting a degree. I definetely need a job ASAP but I am not going to belittle those who I feel over paid for their education at which once the "new nurse" title is gone it really doesn't matter where you went to school so long as you have a valid RN license.
Hmm, just feeling a bit discouraged I guess. At any rate, just thought I would share my silly rant. :) Hope everyone is having a great day!
For those that believe a BSN should make more money than an ADN, how do you feel about those of us with bachelor's in other fields? For example, my first degree is a BS in Bioengineering with an emphasis on Hospital Engineering? I understand how an EKG works and a blood pressure cuff (and why I don't always believe manual is better but I will do it if a doctor's requests). I understand the benefits and limitations of the various scans. One of my classmates has two master's degrees in finance and mathematics along with years working in an international segment of the automotive business. He can walk into a department and point out the financial problems in a glance, is very good at business management, and is multi-lingual (to date I know he has conversed with patients in Spanish, German, French, Arabic, Hebrew, and Tagalong (Philipines) and a co-worker in Chinese). We are both RNs w/ ADNs. He is in his 50s and says he is through with school since all his money is going to send his daughter through school and he is simply tired. He would like to eventually get back in the business side of nursing after getting a few years experience on the floor. More power to him because I'd like to see stronger management so I can work more efficiently on the floor. (I will probably complete my BSN because that is how the game is played.)
As for financial...well, my ADN (even w/ the prereq) cost about $5-6000 total and my one year to complete my BSN online will cost about $12,000...it was definitely cheaper than going to even a state school for a BSN. Living expenses were not included because I have to house and feed two children as well as myself...but would have to do that with or without school. At least this way, I am making a good salary so I can save up for that BSN while getting experience to work toward my certifications.
I don't think it should be such a battle. We are all RNs. We have the same responsibilities on the floor and are expected to have the same level of knowledge toward patient care once employed. The salary should be based on the job and the ability to perform the required skills and not the education level...(I mean does taking statistics or an extra American history really make you a better nurse?). I have no problem with employers putting a minimum education level on a job at the hiring level...but don't pay two equally qualified nurses who are doing the same job different salaries based on their degree level....certifications and experience, yes...how many years they sat in school before becoming licensed nurses no. The job should be deciding the pay rate, not the degree.
Well your Bachelor's in another field has no standing in the nursing realm...great that you have it, but no it doesn't have much standing in this situation.
ADN vs BSN is like two cars, a Honda and a BMW, both good cars, both will take you where you want to go but only one will be purchased by someone looking for luxury.
Haha hahaha ha oh lawd that would be nice if bsns were treated like a bmw!
YOU used the word "luxury", not me. We are talking about the care provided to patients, no? You are essentially saying that only a BSN educated nurse can provide quality care? I have nothing to be defensive about, I purposely leave my degree of RN-ship out of my information for a reason....
No need to get defensive, I clearly said both cars are good but like an employer looking for more education for some nursing positions, someone looking for luxury will choose BMW. Jeez, some people just love to play the victim...
YOU used the word "luxury", not me. We are talking about the care provided to patients, no? You are essentially saying that only a BSN educated nurse can provide quality care? I have nothing to be defensive about, I purposely leave my degree of RN-ship out of my information for a reason....
No need to get defensive, I clearly said both cars are good but like an employer looking for more education for some nursing positions, someone looking for luxury will choose BMW. Jeez, some people just love to play the victim...
You go tell yourself whatever story you want. I stand by my analogy as intended.
Don't get me wrong I 100% understand it will be more difficult to find a job however here in the DFW where I am at, 2 major hospital groups have partnerships with ADN programs meaning they are still hiring ADN nurses.
Let me help you with this. . .
I work for one of the "2 major hospital groups" that have partnerships with local ADN programs. The system I work for though has recently taken a decided turn towards BSNs. There is great upheaval as we have been informed they intend to achieve 100% BSN RN staff by 2018. I believe they can no longer defend maintaining this partnership with this new BSN policy. The unit I work for, that maintains something like 150-200 RNs has not hired a non-BSN nurse in the last 2-3 years. Prior to that, all new grad ADNs signed contracts that they had 2-3 years to obtain (not start) their BSNs.
I believe this "major hospital group" will need to terminate their partnership with the local community college because the partnership and the new 100% BSN policy seem to support different ideals. . . but that's me.
No disrespect to RNs who are working in non-acute settings but (in my opinion) that is the goal of the majority of new graduate RNs.
I'm sorry if you feel discouraged. My personal opinion is that with the tremendous amount of work required to get an ADN from most community colleges (and our local program is extremely rigorous), you are being cheated by coming away with an ADN. It upset me back in the day knowing that I attended 3 solid years (including every summer semester) and when it was said and done, I had an ADN. If I had been in a 4 year university, I probably would have needed only more more semester and had a BSN. I don't believe my story is all that untypical. Please bombard me with stories of nurses who spent 4 semesters in school and graduated with an ADN.
I was accepted into two ADN programs and one BSN program to start this fall. I ultimately chose the BSN program because (at least in my area) the BSN is harder to get into and I wanted to be challenged by a higher caliber of classmate. I looked around at the orientation for the ADN program and saw people who had to take their sciences two or three times to get their As. I didn't feel like those were my peers. I CHOSE to make my peers the students who also have a 4.0 and scored well on the TEAS.
It's a personal choice for everyone. Neither of them are easy. We will all work hard when we're done and find jobs. ADN and BSN students all struggle and sacrifice to make it happen. So let's support each other's choices instead of comparing opinions.
I ultimately chose the BSN program because (at least in my area) the BSN is harder to get into and I wanted to be challenged by a higher caliber of classmate. I looked around at the orientation for the ADN program and saw people who had to take their sciences two or three times to get their As. I didn't feel like those were my peers. I CHOSE to make my peers the students who also have a 4.0 and scored well on the TEAS.
This is a horribly judgmental reason to choose a degree program filled with nothing but totally ignorant assumptions about people you don't know the first thing about.
No, I actually knew the people in both programs. I had classes with them, studied with a few and studied for the TEAS together. Perhaps I should've made that clear in my post. I was classmates with people accepted in the ADN and the BSN program. I chose to continue to challenge myself by being with people I perceive to be better students than me.
No, I actually knew the people in both programs. I had classes with them, studied with a few and studied for the TEAS together. Perhaps I should've made that clear in my post. I was classmates with people accepted in the ADN and the BSN program. I chose to continue to challenge myself by being with people I perceive to be better students than me.
There is a big difference between taking classes with people in the ADN program, and looking around at orientation for the ADN program and sizing people up. You made it plenty clear in your first post that you judged the ADN students at first sight. Now you're saying you actually took classes with them. Orientation is not "taking classes". Orientation is accepting a slot in a program, and going to the orientation when it starts. So really nothing you have said between this post and that one actually makes sense or sounds legit. Instead, it sounds like you decided you felt like trolling on some ADN students and grads by calling them stupid and lower caliber than your BSN buddies.
futureRNhope
57 Posts
Well your Bachelor's in another field has no standing in the nursing realm...great that you have it, but no it doesn't have much standing in this situation.