ADN vs. BSN for Entry Level Nursing

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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The new push is for all nurses to be baccalaureate prepared, eliminating the 2 year associate degree program. Given the current and future nursing shortage, what is your opinion?

Specializes in ICU/CCU ER.

when I went to nursing school(years ago) the bsn students could take their board exam after the 2nd year. we took our board exam after our 2nd year.

If I had to do it over again I would get my BSN, would it make me a better nurse, no,

but might open more doors of certain jobs. I think what the BSN student takes after the 2nd year is statistics, public health, ect. the core nursing appears the same.

I also know to many BSN nurses who cant do critical thinking. exceptions to all.

your advanced degrees wont make you a good nurse, neither being a ADN, its individual

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when I went to nursing school(years ago) the bsn students could take their board exam after the 2nd year. we took our board exam after our 2nd year.

If I had to do it over again I would get my BSN, would it make me a better nurse, no,

but might open more doors of certain jobs. I think what the BSN student takes after the 2nd year is statistics, public health, ect. the core nursing appears the same.

I also know to many BSN nurses who cant do critical thinking. exceptions to all.

your advanced degrees wont make you a good nurse, neither being a ADN, its individual

That is so true!!!! We have many (actually the majority of our RN's have their BSN) and many do not seem to have the critical thinking that you would think is required...actually one I am surprised even passed through Nursing...like you say it is individual!!!!

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I am very interested in this topic. I started my career as an LPN. Then I went back to school and got an ASN. I have worked as an RN for 8 years and I finished my BSN in 2008. I did not get a raise or any type of recognition at work at all. I am now in the process of getting my MSN in nursing and plan to teach at the ADN level. I believe that all nurses should get at least a BSN to be recognizes as professional. In fact, I do not think the ADN programs are really just ADN programs but teach almost as much in 2 years as the 4 year university programs. you do not get the prestige and the profession does not get any respect because it is a junior college education only. MD's think we are undereducated and really do not respect nurses as they should. I agree that pay should be increased when education does but perhaps the ADN level of nursing should be a stepladder program which gives you license to work as a nurse and get experience yet requires you to obtain a BSN in 10 years. Then upon getting the BSN you should also get a raise of 2-5 bucks an hour. It makes sense and it forwards the profession! You even need a 4 year degree to teach kindergarten guys! What we do is very valuable and requires critical thinking everyday. I know experience is great too but my education has been invaluable.

Thanks for hearing my thoughts. I have been in all the positions in nursing and understand what all of you are saying. I was discouraged too from going on but I am glad now that I did despite the lack of increased wages. It is worth it.

Tuition reimbursement should also be given by hospitals in greater amounts of money.

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I feel conflicted answering this question because I graduated from a very good BSN program and I teach in a very good ADN program. In comparing the two programs, I feel that I made the right choice for myself. My BSN program had a lot more theory classes (such as separate courses on nutrition, interpersonal communication, nursing research, caring, and pathophysiology), more hand-on practice in the lab (in comparison to the class I teach), and a semester long preceptor ship program). We spent several weeks on physical assessments alone. As a practicing nurse, I use my BSN foundation to help me find solutions to many situations that come up for my patients.

At my current position, I make every attempt to teach my ADN students to critically think, to apply theory into practice and to develop strong basic nursing foundation. However, I find it very challenging because many of my students did not take the additional courses that would assist my students to better understand and apply theory into practice. My ADN students have to learn so much nursing content in such a fast pace that true learning may not take place. Many of my students are forced to memorize rather than understand and thus, make it difficult to retain and utilize that information. In my BSN program, there were layers (basic to complex) that were threaded in the curricullum that allowed concepts to repeated frequently in the program that eventually lead me to make connections between theory and practice. My ADN students have a lot of hands-on clinical hours to practice nursing skills, but I worry that my students do not have enough time to link theory into practice.

If anyone is teaching at a BSN program, please comment on your observation.

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Did the ADN to BSN program helped you be a better RN? What specific things did your BSN program teach an experienced RN such as yourself? Thank you for your response.

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In my opinion, ASN is perfect for those who just want to become a nurse. For those who want to continue their career in management BSN is for you. Personally I do not care for an management position because I am a hands on kind of girl. To each their own.

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FloGabi- what BSN program did you attend? I am looking into BSN programs in CA.

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