An RN with a Bachelors in Biology instead of BSN?

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 18, 2011

Simply put, yes it matters. A BS in biology is not a BSN. You may not, in fact, need a BSN to get a job you enjoy, etc, but a baccalaureate in a different field is not synonymous. Good luck with whatever you decide!

DuluthMike · Mar 18, 2011

I have a bachelors in Biology as well as Nursing. For hiring purposes they will be looking for a bachelors in Nursing, specifically. An ADN with a Bachelors in another field is a plus, but it is not equivalent to a BSN. My honest advice is to get the BSN. If you choose to do medical school simply do the pre-req's separately.

Skylarslaughter · Mar 18, 2011

I have a bachelors in Biology as well as Nursing. For hiring purposes they will be looking for a bachelors in Nursing, specifically. An ADN with a Bachelors in another field is a plus, but it is not equivalent to a BSN. My honest advice is to get the BSN. If you choose to do medical school simply do the pre-req's separately.

I understand that it is not equal to a BSN. But what I also understand is that the BSN education curriculum is focused on leadership roles in healthcare...which I have no career interest for. I assume thtat as far as hiring bedside nurses, the BSN preference would be based on the fact that they have more education....

Continuing for a BSN doesn't really prepare you anymore for bedside nursing than an ADN would, it only prepares you for leadership roles. It's the higher education and focus that narrows you down from other job applicants right? Please correct me if I am wrong.

I have no interest in any positions of 'higher power' I just love the job of nursing and I love subjects like Biology.

xluescluesx · Mar 18, 2011

You could get your BA in biology and then you could go into an accelerated BSN program, since you'd already have a bachelor's in another field. That's what I'm doing, my BA was in biology also. That way you can be a nurse and still go to med school if that's what you want.

DuluthMike · Mar 18, 2011

Continuing for a BSN doesn't really prepare you anymore for bedside nursing than an ADN would, it only prepares you for leadership roles.

Without getting into a ADN vs BSN argument, this is a false assertion. Make sure you are doing some very good research on the two. If for anything else than your opportunity to practice in that bedside only role that you wish to do will be severely limited by not having a BSN. Magnet hospitals need BSN nurses to fill numbers. Your Bachelors in Biology will not help you in that regard.

Skylarslaughter · Mar 18, 2011

Without getting into a ADN vs BSN argument, this is a false assertion. Make sure you are doing some very good research on the two. If for anything else than your opportunity to practice in that bedside only role that you wish to do will be severely limited by not having a BSN. Magnet hospitals need BSN nurses to fill numbers. Your Bachelors in Biology will not help you in that regard.

Oh I understand why BSNs are becoming more preferred, with this economy they have to narrow it down and higher education in the field is what you need. I am still considering getting a BSN, even though all I want to do is the bedside...but what else does it teach you about nursing besides leadership?

A college in my state offers advanced practice certificate programs [ER and Critical Care] to any RNs with atleast an associates degree. I am plannning to get the ER certificate.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2011

I would just get your BSN. An Associate's in this economy is very limiting. Most facilities are requiring a BSN now. You are going to face a tougher job market with an Associate's. And travel nursing would be very difficult for sure.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2011

If what they say about BSNs is true and that hospitals are starting to only hire nurses with a bachelors degree...does it matter that your bachelors degree is not in nursing?

Yes, it matters. Hospitals that want BSNs want BSNs. There are some graduate programs that consider a Bachelors in another subject plus being an RN as qualifying for admissions, but in general another Bachelors degree doesn't substitute for a BSN.

Emergency RN · Mar 18, 2011

I think that there's a lot of misconceptions regarding the BSN being only for management and that any ole baccalaureate can substitute it. In a word, ...NO.

The BSN was specifically designed to focus core science requirements as a background necessary for nurses to wield their craft. That is why a bachelors of science in bio, chem, physics, et cetera, cannot be used to in its place. Another rationale is that simply knowing biology or chemistry or physics and having degrees in them, does not prepare or allow one to sit for the NCLEX. The reason is, that none of those science degrees trains one to become a nurse. Sure, one may have a lot of scientific knowledge, but it is absolutely lacking in how to apply that scientific knowledge as a bedside RN. THAT is the crux of the BSN and that is what makes it educationally unique. Years ago, the "only needed for management" angle was started during the diploma, ADN vs BSN debates. True, one does need a minimum of a BSN for just about any nurse management position, but that's only because it's considered a minimum educational requirement. The BSN degree itself however, is NOT a degree in management.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2011

For example, where I live, every RN requires a BSN to even apply for a job. Associates are not considered at all. This is occurring more and more. So it is not a feasible option to get an Associates if you can't use it.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2011

Another piece of this is- if you're thinking about maybe going to medical school later....are you sure you want to do nursing first? It can be really hard to go back to school once you graduate and start working- you start accumulating bills and financial responsibilities that make taking time out from work or dropping hours seem impossible. When you go straight through school, you're less likely to run into issues with "lifestyle inflation."

Can you do some shadowing of doctors and nurses to get a sense of which interests you more? If the end goal is to be a doctor....I would get the biology degree (and you actually don't need a biology degree for med school, just the med school prerequisites with your degree of choice) and do that.