advantages of BSN vs. ADN

tmiller027 · Dec 29, 2004

I'm considering getting my ADN, then Getting a Bachelors in ministry or something of that nature and doing some type of faith based hospice care or something.

zenman · Dec 30, 2004

I'm going for my BSN now. Honestly, I could give a crap less about all the gay, useless courses I'll have to take to get my BSN (statistics, nursing "management" etc) They are a waste of time for actual practice. I will enjoy taking pathophysiology although in a diploma program you unofficially cover pathophysiology during your nursing courses.

It continues to amaze me that people who are not yet educated do not see the value of education. Please list all the "useless" courses that you will have to take, such as psychology, sociology, nursing management, stats, etc.. and I'll do my best to enlighten you so that you will not continue to embarass youself in front of many people.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2004

Zenman, I can't speak for the person you're addressing, but I believe they were merely refering to courses that have practical use in the day to day life of a nurse.

In my daily practice do I really need to know "...how to identify a cyclohexene molecule or to describe an oxidation chemical reaction..", or how to convert log6(216)=3 into the equivalent expotential equation?

That said, I value education greatly. Although I've yet to get a bachelor's degree I've taken enough courses probably for two bachelor's degrees, but just haven't focused on one major. I've taken all kinds of pysch courses, science courses including Astromony I&II with labs and have taken something important from each and every one. I've probably been in school more in my adult life than not. So I agree with you.

stevierae · Dec 30, 2004

According to my chemistry professor, ADNs are more likely to kill a patient than BSNs...so I guess my patients are in BIG trouble :chuckle

Are you serious? LOL---I only have an A.A. in nursing--have since 1981--haven't killed anyone yet!!! Didn't as a Navy corpsman, either!

I actually went back to school in 1985 to get a degree in chemistry--bored to death with nursing---I LOVE chemistry---I used to do gas law and organic chem problems in my sleep, I swear--they ran through my head constantly!!!

I did undergrad research with my organic prof. One day, he asked me, "How long have you been a nurse, and how much do you make?" I told him 5 years, and how much (thanks to CNA!!!) He said, "I am a tenured professor--have been doing this for 30 years--and I don't make that much."

Then he told me about the reality of BEGGING for money for research grants, and also the reality of animal sacrifice. I just couldn't even guillotine a rat in biochem--how could I do animal research? I went back to nursing. I wonder how my prof is doing?

Still miss those gas law word problems--they were fun!!!

And I can still draw the two formations of the cyclohexane molecule, and I LOVE redox problems---LOL, maybe I should go do research with your prof!!!

I am thinking of going back now and getting a degree in the chemistry of WINE--my daughter is a nanny in italy, and the people that she lives with own a winery and olive fields/olive oil factories --hey, maybe she will meet my future son in law and they will need someone to run their wineries while they run their olive oil factories--it could happen....

angel337, MSN, RN · Dec 30, 2004

the more education you have is a valuable tool..even if it does not directly apply to your career. i have a BSN and i appreciate the fact that it allows me more flexibility in my present and future career goals. i am seeing more and more ads for nursing positions that are requiring a BSN now that didn't before. also remember that just because you have a higher degree it does not always mean you will start off with a higher salary. higher salaries generally come with experience. along with continued education, experience is probably the best teacher. try to focus on the knowledge you will gain as opposed to just the financial aspects and you will have a different view. good luck in whatever you decide.

rach_nc_03 · Dec 30, 2004

It continues to amaze me that people who are not yet educated do not see the value of education. Please list all the "useless" courses that you will have to take, such as psychology, sociology, nursing management, stats, etc.. and I'll do my best to enlighten you so that you will not continue to embarass youself in front of many people.

there will *always* be classes you feel waaste your time, whether you're getting a 4-year degree in nursing, physics, philosophy, or (like I did) music or journalism. It's all perspective.

As a journalism major at a university, I felt like my foreign language course requirements were a waste of my study and writing time.

As a music major, I felt like my general college curriculum courses were a huge waste of my valuable practice time.

Basically, when you have a lot to do an not a lot of time to do it, anything that seems unapplicable to the task at hand seems like a *waste* of time.

and, just a couple of words of advice: first, don't assume that people who haven't completed their nursing education are 'uneducated'. with the vast number of people entering nursing as a second, third, fourth career, there are plenty of people- myself included- coming into the field as well-educated adults.

second, if you are truly trying to enlighten the poster (or anyone else), a condescending tone is the fastest way to alienate someone.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Dec 30, 2004

Even two years out of school I noticed that that ADN (which I have) does limit you...and you get lots of "oh..and why haven't you gone and gotten your BSN?"! LOL!

I had an interview ask me why one time and I didn't know at the time they don't hired ADN's (how I got the interview I don't know..not like ADN isn't marked all over my application or Resume?!?!?), and at that point...and the look on her face I so wasn't going to get the job anyway...so I simply said "oh, well it comes down to this...I haven't gotten my ADN because of people like you always rubbing my nose in my accomplishments! I am very proud of what I have done...and if you don't like hard working people that have a drive to achieve, well I guess I am not your gal then!". I thanked her and walked out...shocked her big time!

That is the worse case scenereo that I have had, but I still get the whole "get your BSN so you become a 'real' nurse" stuff all the time.

Personally I always advise that if you are going into Nursing, and you know this is what you really want to do...get the BSN! You will get less flack, have a chance to learn more details about nursing theory, pharmacology, administration, etc. If you are unsure of being a nurse go for the ADN, PLAN on getting your BSN (that was my probelm..I didn't plan for the BSN now I don't have time or money), and go that route knowing it may be harder to move on with your career till you get the BSN! (for instance us ADN's are considered great floor nurses, but I wanted to go nurse teaching now that I have been introduced to it...but oh oh...need a MSN, or more administration..need BSN).

Good luck :)

tvccrn, ASN, RN · Dec 30, 2004

So, an ADN is more likely to kill a patient, huh. Well, when I was in my last semester of college (I'm only an ADN) I attended a mock trial. This is held every year in Dallas, TX for the graduating nursing students in the area and so there were both ADN as well as BSN students there. The BSN students from Baylor University were sitting in front of us and my friends and I heard a lot of comments from them that made us scared for their future patients. But, the one that topped the cake was when it was mentioned that the patient was so edematous that the doctors couldn't get an antecubital IV in and they had to do a cut-down. The girl in front of me turned to her friend and asked...What does edematous mean and where is the antecubital area? :eek:

If that's the way they teach BSN students, then I hope any time my family or myself is in the hospital I have an ADN for my nurse.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Dec 30, 2004

Hi, considering that I am very new to all of this, I would appreciate any imput from you all. I am just entering my first semester of an ADN program, and would like to go on to the RN to BSN available at the same college. I still am unsure of the advantages of having the BSN vs. the ADN. Is there a difference in pay? and...exactly what opportunities would I gain from having the BSN...what could it lead to as far as positions? Thanks for the help with this...I have soooo much to learn...but I am willing :)
Katie

Now, see what you've done!

Welcome to the boards. (Post something on religion--that's always a hoot.)

Fun2, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2004

I'm not going to debate one or the other....lol

I am going for my ADN, then work for a year in terms of my scholarship. Next, I plan to utilize the hospitals tuition reimbursement to do my RN to BSN. This is not so I can get into management, etc...it's for me. Just so I can say I did it......then who knows, I may go for a MSN if I so desire.

As for the one not wanting people to talk about "useless classes", well, that's your opinion. I think it is crazy to make young students take PHED classes, a student shouldn't have to take government or history to become a nurse. We've all had years and years of it in high school. IMO, that is the main difference in ADN and BSN....one gets to the point and teaches you, the other makes you fill the pockets of the school, then teaches you.

All in all....we all eventually go to work on the same level, and unless you ask, you'd probably never know the difference in between the two.

GOOD LUCK! :)

katiebugg · Dec 30, 2004

Now, see what you've done!
Welcome to the boards. (Post something on religion--that's always a hoot.)

Wow...

I didn't realize that there was sooo much animosity here. My intent was to learn something from experienced people who are already in the field of nursing. This will be a second career for me, and I didn't want to rely on school counselors for information. Sorry for the obviously "upsetting" topic.

Just wonder why it is such a trigger??

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 30, 2004

please dont' feel bad, Katiebugg. Your questions are legitimate. And believe me, many people ask the same ones. BSN versus ADN versus Diploma, well, It's a hot topic, like I told you. But please don't be discouraged or leave the boards. I know there are many who would like to help you on your way to becoming a nurse, if that is your heart's desire. I wish you the best!

ps, did you check the threads I referred you to??? I hope that helped.