Any BSN students here?

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2014

I just completed my BSN, its no way easy, what gave you that impression? Remember both ADN and BSN programs teach the same key nursing components the goal of which is to pass the NCLEX and hopefully produce a competent graduate nurse. The difference you will see if you decide to go for RN to BSN you will only be doing the leadership, management, economics and research, community and public health sides of nursing. In addition BSN programs focus a lot on community and public health components for nursing in diverse settings whereas the ADN focuses on structured environments. So we were doing all these subjects in addition to what is taught at the ADN level.All semesters were 12 - 16 credits...very busy.

Anyways if you referring to RN to BSN it may seem easier only because you are not doing many of the core nursing components you already learned...that would make it redundant. Prepare to have APA format pounded into your head and writing a lot of papers....if you good at that, yes it will be a breeze as an RN to BSN.

EmpathyInAction · Aug 4, 2014

I've just had lots of people (nursing instructors, my role transition preceptor, recent graduates) tell me that BSN is a breeze comparatively. But everyone is different and I was just wondering what others thought.

I have been told that it is a lot of writing but that's fortunately something that comes rather easily for me. In my program going FT I will have two classes every eight weeks for a year, then I'm done.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2014

Good day, EmpathyInAction:

The main thing I've heard is that if you get into a BSN program, you are in the program vs. working on prerequisites separately, and hoping to get in a program. The other plus, of course, is that you get a BSN when completed vs. an associate.

Thank you.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2014

I've just had lots of people (nursing instructors, my role transition preceptor, recent graduates) tell me that BSN is a breeze comparatively. But everyone is different and I was just wondering what others thought.
I have been told that it is a lot of writing but that's fortunately something that comes rather easily for me. In my program going FT I will have two classes every eight weeks for a year, then I'm done.

If you already have your ADN yes the RN-BSN bridge programs are relatively easy...you write a TON of papers!!!!!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2014

Good day, EmpathyInAction:
The main thing I've heard is that if you get into a BSN program, you are in the program vs. working on prerequisites separately, and hoping to get in a program. The other plus, of course, is that you get a BSN when completed vs. an associate.
Thank you.

If you read the question the OP graduated her ADN program, is waiting to take NCLEX, and is in a RN-BSN bridge.

EmpathyInAction: I graduated from the ADN in May, just got my ATT two weeks ago and am scheduled to take my NCLEX on the 19.

EmpathyInAction · Aug 4, 2014

Yes, it is an RN - BSN bridge. I guess I could have clarified that better.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2014

Good day, Esme:

My bad; thank you for the correction.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 4, 2014

RN-BSN programs are different from BSN programs, from my opinion. I have heard the RN-BSN is easier than the ADN program, but nowhere near as difficult as a BSN program. I am in a BSN program (not RN-BSN). At my school, the BSN program is structured much differently from the RN-BSN program.

Haybah · Aug 4, 2014

Question:

I will be starting the nursing program at Normandale Community College this coming spring. After that, I will be transitioning to Metropolitan State University to complete my BSN.

So I was wondering, what specific skills do you learn in RN-BSN program? I understand that the ADN program teaches you nursing skills you need to pass the NCLEX, but if there will be no clinical rotations for the other part, how will a load of paper writing help in practical nursing? I just want to know the essence of learning about leadership, management etc.

In other words, I just wanted a clarification on what man-nurse2b said earlier in the thread?

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2014

Good day, EmpathyInAction:
The main thing I've heard is that if you get into a BSN program, you are in the program vs. working on prerequisites separately, and hoping to get in a program. The other plus, of course, is that you get a BSN when completed vs. an associate.
Thank you.

Generic BSN programs still require prerequisites which have to be done separately. These can be done at the university you plan to go to...in which case they enroll you as "pending BSN" and your freshman and sophomore years will be doing prerequisites and nothing is guaranteed as far as acceptance to nursing school. You still have to meet the parameters like every other nursing student and hope to get in come Junior year(3rd year).

The second option is to transfer as a student having completed the prerequisites prior to applying to the university, which is what I did and transferred with my AA degree from a community/state college - which is the route most BSN students take cause it's makes the first 2 years cheaper...Doing it this way also makes the time for completion shorter because the acceptance into some programs is often less than 2 years and all General education requirements are already met my program was 18 months.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2014

Question:
I will be starting the nursing program at Normandale Community College this coming spring. After that, I will be transitioning to Metropolitan State University to complete my BSN.
So I was wondering, what specific skills do you learn in RN-BSN program? I understand that the ADN program teaches you nursing skills you need to pass the NCLEX, but if there will be no clinical rotations for the other part, how will a load of paper writing help in practical nursing? I just want to know the essence of learning about leadership, management etc.
In other words, I just wanted a clarification on what man-nurse2b said earlier in the thread?

I'm not sure about practical skills to be done in RN to BSN programs as again it would be redundant as most nursing skills were already taught which is why ADN's are suppose to already have their RN. Maybe someone else can answer that. As far as I know RN to BSN programs do not have a practical skills component, which is why most programs can be completed online.

Leadership classes involved a lot of group work (more than you want) and presentations. So I guess the skills would be more on working with a variety of people, especially class mates you may not like and presenting topics based on research. In online setting it might be group discussions online which is why some people like to do Leadership in a classroom setting. Challenges are making it work because the group gets the same grade. In addition leadership classes went more into critical thinking and delegation.

In addition Nursing Research is something that involves writing a lot of papers and learning to critique evidenced based research. You basically find lots of research papers read them and dissect them as to the strength of their evidence. This more prepares those who plan to get advanced degrees like DNP and Phd's. In other words, nothing to do with practical skills.

I'm not sure how much community and public health is done at ADN level but the skills in these are more application of nursing to an entire community instead of thinking of your single patient. It involves a lot of epidemiology and working with other organizations in the community. For example, you may go into a population which has a high incidence of diabetes and you have to work together to come up with a plan to reduce these in that community. In these subjects the nurse becomes a leader in the community.

So none of these have anything to do with practical nursing skills per say but they have provided me with broader aspects of nursing and how to work with others.