Ok, I want to make this short. Yesterday I had to get a physical for an aide position I'm taking at a step down ICU. I'm currently in a community college a couple classes short of finishing my prereqs for the nursing program. I'm on a undetermined waiting list and getting very impatient. I graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English. On to the meat of the story...
I'm getting looked over by the doctor during the physical and telling her my story. I told her how my dad was a doctor and just my luck she knew who he was. Her response to me becoming a nurse "Why don't you become a doctor?" "Didn't you take anything throughout college related to science?" "Where do you go to school? Your at a community college? Oh, honey you're waisting your time. You have a bachelor already, you need to get your bachelor if your going into nursing. Bottom line your waisting your time at a community college."
I was floored. She was so cut throat and I really feel like she knew what she was talking about. What are your opinions? Do i need to transfer and just to nursing at a university? My understanding is I'm going to be spending the same amount of time to get my BSN than I would for the associates.
I almost feel dense asking this since I juts posted the obvious in the last sentance above. I just know how much cheaper it will be at the community college. Am I wrong? I feel stupid to even post this. Believe me...that feeling is rare.
Just finished my ADN, and just passed NCLEX! I have a BS in education and did not see the point in paying triple dollars and double time for another undergrad degree. If I further my nursing education I will go directly into a Masters bridge program. Right now there are so few jobs for new nurses, BSN or ADN. I am glad I don't have have huge loans to repay while looking for a job!! The hospitals in my area hire both ADN and BSN RNs. I may have "wasted my time" getting "just" and ADN but I least I am not in debt !! The BSN program wanted 2 years at 25,000 grand a year!! How long will it take working as a nurse to pay that back?? Look at the costs/benefit for your situation. Don't let the current BSN craze cloud what is best for you personally. Nursing trends in employment swing back and forth. Good Luck
Thank you all for your posts. I especially appreciate the ones that dove right into honesty and had not a word for my grammar. Much appreciated. The rest who had not a word of advice but nothing but blah. Well, enough said about u.
sorry bout all my grammar mistakes. I type to fast. Pretty much just type my thought and do not edit sometimes.
Bad English major! Bad! J/k
I would see what your local hospitals want from new grads. In my area many require or prefer BSN but in other areas it might not be a huge issue. It it's going to take the same amount of time, why not just get the BSN?
If you will spend the same time getting a bachelor's degree as you would an associate degree in nursing, why not directly pursue the former? While there is no lack of jobs for associate degree holders, a bachelor's degree will widen your scope for employment in terms of the positions, institutions and compensation that you will be qualified for. Several accredited, well rated colleges offer the option of completing your bachelor of science in nursing degree in less than the usual time, so it's definitely an option you should consider.
2. what salary range is out there for fresh graduates in your area of the country?
3. remember that 50 - 75 cents per hour for your BSN is NOT enough to repay THOUSANDS in college debt. ( .50/.75 x 2000 hours per year = _______ ( you get to do the math) )
4. remember that a yearly raise is __% where you live...( so how long do you work til you hit the $ 30, $40 $50 dollar per hour straight time pay?)
whereas, your employer might be likely to foot the bill for your continuing education--be it BSN or MSN or NP--with a contract as to how many years working for them to grieve your loan....
do the math---let the hard numbers decide for you...
i cant tell you how many nurses i work with have BSN's and MAJOR debt!! and trying to pay it off and live while making $20-$23---------- you literally might have to work full time to simply pay off debt where as MY understanding of a college degree is to make MORE money, not accrue more debt... ( my dad always says life is **** sandwich, the more DOUGH you make the less **** you taste!)
27 years nursing experience....
ask yourself this, when you have a medical issue, do you REALLY CARE WHAT DEGREE that nurse has who is caring for you?? or do you care if she/ he KNOWS WHAT THE HE*& TO DO to diagnose,treat, educate and console you??
would you rather have some one who has more experience or a higher degree?
do you equate a BSN with better skill or better education?
have you been able to judge with 90% accuracy the degrees of the nurses you have met and seen working on you, with you, around you?
I graduated in 1985...back then they predicted the end of ADNs and diplomas, and that only BSNs would be RNs... how's that working??? Until the debate over whether a shortage exists or not (some places yes, some not so much), and everybody has 4 years to spend to take the same boards as a 2-3 yr program, it won't change. Some places want BSNs, and suffer with worse staffing, shooting themselves in the feet....
I don't regret doing the ADN route, and have worked staff, charge, dept head, and supervisory positions in hospitals, LTC, alcohol/drug rehab, and psych.
If you want to go on (I couldn't due to long term health issues, and needing to work to pay basic bills- no spouse/sig other to help with rent), that's great...but with the ADN, you're employable and gaining experience that you need regardless. Education is always good, but you can do a lot with an ADN, regardless of what BSN programs tell people- BUT, if you think you only want to work in hospitals, and plan to do hospital management, then yes- most places in larger cities want a lot of BS :) Smaller towns give you more options.
nursejossy
42 Posts
HI,
Just finished my ADN, and just passed NCLEX!
I have a BS in education and did not see the point in paying triple dollars and double time for another undergrad degree. If I further my nursing education I will go directly into a Masters bridge program. Right now there are so few jobs for new nurses, BSN or ADN. I am glad I don't have have huge loans to repay while looking for a job!! The hospitals in my area hire both ADN and BSN RNs. I may have "wasted my time" getting "just" and ADN but I least I am not in debt !! The BSN program wanted 2 years at 25,000 grand a year!! How long will it take working as a nurse to pay that back?? Look at the costs/benefit for your situation. Don't let the current BSN craze cloud what is best for you personally. Nursing trends in employment swing back and forth. Good Luck