An RN with a Bachelors in Biology instead of BSN?

Skylarslaughter · 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.

I agree, but I think that the places where they are allowing only BSN as a minimum are tyhe places where they can economically afford it and most likely have more than a few BSN colleges located around the hospital areas...therefor it's highly competive and absoluetly necessary. However, in my area...decent medium size town in Florida...there's only one community college in the county and the county next to it and it only offers ADN so I am pretty sure the hospitals are filled with mostly ADNs...but I'm pretty sure I want to get my bachelors when I move right after I graduate and I guess I really should get BSN. :lol2:

Thanks everyone for your input and for clearing some things up for me!

kcmylorn · Mar 18, 2011

You can defniately tell the difference in the nurse. I work for one with only a BS. She is a disaster. The only reason she has the job is her "bachlors degree" The is definately something missing- nursing knowlwdge. Her decision making skills pertaining to patient care make no sense. There's no ability to apply nursing knowlege to other nursing sitations. But then again- nursing will let anyone make the decions even the moron receptionist if she has a "bachlors degee" could be a BA in foregn language as long as it's the "B" degree. Man while let's not employ the RN's from diploma or ADN programs. Nursing is very screwed up.

danh3190 · Mar 18, 2011

You can defniately tell the difference in the nurse. I work for one with only a BS. She is a disaster. The only reason she has the job is her "bachlors degree" The is definately something missing- nursing knowlwdge. Her decision making skills pertaining to patient care make no sense. There's no ability to apply nursing knowlege to other nursing sitations. But then again- nursing will let anyone make the decions even the moron receptionist if she has a "bachlors degee" could be a BA in foregn language as long as it's the "B" degree. Man while let's not employ the RN's from diploma or ADN programs. Nursing is very screwed up.

In my bedside job I can't see any difference between BSN, ADN, and diploma nurses that can't be explained by experience on the job. The only reason I'm considering doing the BSN is that it might help me if I want to apply for a different job but it seems like a terrible waste of money at this late stage in my life which is what's holding me back.

My BS and MS in chemistry certainly don't make any difference. As far as anybody in the nursing world is concerned I'm just a diploma nurse. I suppose if I wanted to be an occupational RN in the chemical industry the situation might be a bit different.

If I were young and thinking of med school, I'd go to med school and not do nursing at all.

msjellybean · Mar 18, 2011

I have a BS in dietetics and it prepared me pretty darn well for the application of the nursing knowledge that I gained in my ADN program.

I've had multiple people tell me that my critical thinking skills & decision making abilities are leaps and bounds beyond the two BSN grads that I started with. And I'm not trying to toot my own horn, I promise. Just trying to convey that the notion that a BS in another science field can adequately prepare you for the rationale & decision making portion of nursing.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2011

I'm in Canada. In all of Canada, the BSN is the requirement for RNs now. Same with Australia, UK, and many places in the US. The 2 year program is being phased out, as far as employment goes, unless you want your LPN. So if you are just entering school, and you want to have options, the BSN is the route to go. It's a tight market for all nurses right now. However, with an Associates, you won't even be considered for many positions. Fair or not, that's the way the market has turned. And employers can have their pick everywhere now, not just in certain areas. Just something to carefully consider.

kristykat, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2011

I may be wrong but don't you need an ADN or BSN or some type of degree in nursing in order to sit for the NCLEX to get your license? Or can anyone just walk in & take the test?

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2011

You need a nursing degree of some sort in order to take the NCLEX or CRNE.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2011

And yeah, I went to school with more than a few morons. You find this in every degree program. Some people just don't have common sense period. Like everything else, you get out of the experience what you put in. There are also great people, too who will make great nurses. It just depends. But employers can set the standard.

OldNurseEducator · Mar 18, 2011

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.

While what you say has merit, read some posts on here about GPA's and hiring of new grads. Now the hospitals are getting pickier. The BSN doesn't make you any better nurse...agreed. But it also isn't just focused on management. Management now requires a MSN or MBA. Your information is a little out-dated in today's RN market. Just my :twocents: .

OldNurseEducator · Mar 18, 2011

I am 17 and starting my nursing prequisites this summer for my ADN program. I read nad hear alot about BSNs taking over and how hospitals are starting to hire them more....WHETHER THIS IS TRUE OR NOT, I want to get my bachelors degree...but not in Nursing...I understand that ADN gives you all the knowledge you need to start training for bedside nursing and I have no interest in a management position, just travel nursing. I want to go for A bachelors in Biology so that I have have that open door option to go to medical school if I end up wanting to.
I absoluetly love biological science so much and want a bachelors in Anatomy Biology.
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?

If you really want to go to medical school, skip the time it takes to get a nursing degree, and go right into biology and medicine. Why wait??? :nurse:

AwayWeGo · Mar 18, 2011

I have a B.S. in Psychology, then got my ADN (so I could start working asap) and then B.S. in Nursing. The big difference I found between the ADN and BSN is research. There is a ton of research in a BSN program.

OldNurseEducator · Mar 18, 2011

I have a B.S. in Psychology, then god my ADN (so I could start working asap) and then B.S. in Nursing. The big difference I found between the ADN and BSN is research. There is a ton of research in a BSN program.

Depends on the school. In a BSN curiculum, you have to finish all the pre reqs for the Bachelor of Science as well as Nursing. Research can be a valuable thing to learn. A BSN is a good thing and so is an ADN. Depends on what your future goals are. Just sayin'... :twocents: .