ADN vs BSN bias, grrrrr

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Specializes in Tele, OB, public health.

Okay so I am trying my damndest to land a summer internship, and to my dismay I have discovered that many of the hospitals in my area ( including the one I REALLY wanted to be an inten at) will not even consider students in ADN programs, ony BSN!

*** is up with that??!?!

I'm not trying to say there is absolutley no difference between the programs, but for people who have only completed their first year in the nursing program ( which is exactly who these internships are for) my understanding is that there is no difference in clinical skills between ADN and BSN programs - if they want people who had more liberal arts, I have a BA, so that's gotta count for soemthing right????

I am an just incredibly ******* ****** off to think that I would automatically be not considered for some internships because I am in ADN not BSN :angryfire

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

Is this an internship like a training? or an internship with a job at the end of it? There are hospital that only hire BSN nurses or above. Many magnet hospitals and those trying to receive magnet status do not hire below the BSN. Maybe this hospital it trying to reach magnet status. Its my understanding that it is not that they can't hire ASNs at all, but that they must have a hire proportion of BSN nurses. BSN do have training beyond (not just additional liberal arts) the ASN. I am sure I will get flamed for pasting the information from the AACN below, but I believe in evidence based practice.

Recognizing Differences Among Nursing Program Graduates

There is a growing body of evidence that shows that BSN graduates bring unique skills to their work as nursing clinicians and play an important role in the delivery of safe patient care.

Read article in its entirety:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/FactSheets/ImpactEdNp.htm

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Specializes in Tele, OB, public health.

This is just a straight up training internship- and to my knowledge this hospital does not prefer to hire only BSN's , but I am not 100% about that. Only being in my 1st semester of the actual nursing program, I am hardly an expert on the different programs and their componenets, so could you give me an example of a clinical skill taught in BSN not taught in ADN?

I'm genuinely curious, not trying to be combative or sassy.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
This is just a straight up training internship- and to my knowledge this hospital does not prefer to hire only BSN's , but I am not 100% about that. Only being in my 1st semester of the actual nursing program, I am hardly an expert on the different programs and their componenets, so could you give me an example of a clinical skill taught in BSN not taught in ADN?

I'm genuinely curious, not trying to be combative or sassy.

I would understand if this hospital only hires BSN why they would not have ASNs for interns...but that does not sound like it is the case; no it doesn't seem fair, especially if they do hire ASN nurses. Is there anyway you could find out specifically why they only allow BSNs for thee intern if they do hire ASN nurses? I don't get it.

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Specializes in Tele, OB, public health.

Yeah I don't get it. It seems like an unfair bias to me. It's also frustrating cuz I had always planned while job hunting after graduation to tell recruiters "yesI know I only have an ADN, but I do plan to go on to higher practice and become a CNM. I am williing to make a long-term commitment to any employer willing to support me through the remainder of my education"

Now I'm feeling like I won't even be able to get my foot in the door at some places :(

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
Yeah I don't get it. It seems like an unfair bias to me. It's also frustrating cuz I had always planned while job hunting after graduation to tell recruiters "yesI know I only have an ADN, but I do plan to go on to higher practice and become a CNM. I am williing to make a long-term commitment to any employer willing to support me through the remainder of my education"

Now I'm feeling like I won't even be able to get my foot in the door at some places :(

What state are you in? California has a preceptorship, its for BSN and ASN (oops I see MN). Do you plan on working while you get your RN-BSN or are you planning the ASN-MSN with BA/BS in another feild for your CNM? I want to become a CNM too!

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Specializes in Tele, OB, public health.

Currently planning on working for a year or two then trying to go straight to CNM via Fronteir-- for ADN with a BA I just have to filll out a portfolio of my leadership experiences, etc. That's the plan for now, but we may have to move for my husbands job, and then I may look at other schools in the area depending where we end up.

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Specializes in ICU.

From what I have heard from people: a BSN and ADN have the same technical skills but a BSN will have more education in critical thinking and leadership roles. The future of nursing is a push for a BSN to be the minimum education for registered nurse. Plans are already in place to make nurse practitioners a doctorate level degree - up from the current masters level.

It's okay to vent, but looking forward a BSN will open more doors for you. Good luck.

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Specializes in Legal, Ortho, Rehab.
Is this an internship like a training? or an internship with a job at the end of it? There are hospital that only hire BSN nurses or above. Many magnet hospitals and those trying to receive magnet status do not hire below the BSN. Maybe this hospital it trying to reach magnet status. Its my understanding that it is not that they can't hire ASNs at all, but that they must have a hire proportion of BSN nurses. BSN do have training beyond (not just additional liberal arts) the ASN. I am sure I will get flamed for pasting the information from the AACN below, but I believe in evidence based practice.

Read article in its entirety:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/FactSheets/ImpactEdNp.htm

I must question one thing this article neglected to mention...were the BSNs in these favorable studies previous ASN nurses (or even LPNS!) who already had years of knowledge, or new grad BSNs with zero experience?

Hmmm... :coollook:

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...a BSN will have more education in critical thinking and leadership roles.

Generally BSNs receive more in depth education about pathophysiology also. ADN programs tend to be heavy on technicial skills, while BSN programs afford an opportunity to include more theory and critical thinking.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, OB/GYN, Geri, Wounds.

Yes, I agree that is unfair and discouraging.

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