Anyone worried b/c you did RN and not BSN?

Lisa1980 · Jun 3, 2011

I keep hearing all the talk about needing my BSN. I also take into consideration that there was "talk" about weeding out LPN's at one time.

SO... to save myself and my career. I finished my RN, ADN. And now.... 8 months later I am currently at WGU for my BSN.

Better be safe than sorry!!!

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jun 3, 2011

BSN if you pass NCLEX is still RN. Did you mean associates instead of BSN?

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2011

Sure, I worry a little. I chose an ADN program because it is close to home and the clinical sites are all within 15-20 minutes of home. The closest BSN location would be about an hour away (school and clinicals) and for 2 years or more of school, I would not have the stamina along with having a family. We all have to look at our own personal situations. I will get my BSN with a bridge program once I'm done getting the RN and I will need to be comfortable with that situation. There are quite a few hospitals in this state that won't hire a new RN who doesn't have a BSN. I'm going to hope that my prior BS degree and work experience will help improve the odds of getting a hospital job.

luvs637 · Jun 3, 2011

I am in the exact same position as you--previous Bachelor's, doing ADN, 1/4th done, guaranteed a job....EXCEPT now my floor manager is leaving. So makes me wonder where my "job" is going to be. The hospital system can send me anywhere, but I was really hoping to stay on my floor I am thinking the new manager may choose a BSN with no experience over me....

33762FL · Jun 3, 2011

Plan to enroll in an RN-BSN bridge program ASAP after you get your ADN, and put it on your resume. That should be extremely helpful, showing that you WILL be a BSN within about 2 years.

Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2011

The hospital system can send me anywhere, but I was really hoping to stay on my floor I am thinking the new manager may choose a BSN with no experience over me....

Wow! You think they would really do that to you?? In my area the ADN graduates are actually preferred. I just had clinicals on a floor that had 5+ new grad hires that were all from my tech school. THe classmates/friends I have that work at these hospitals automatically get hired on as RNs on their floor. I don't think there is a reason to worry, since you can always participate in a ADN-BSN bridge program. Like others have stated, indicate that this is your plan & I think it should be fine. :) Good Luck!

blackandyellow · Jun 3, 2011

The hospital I work at is in the process of magnet status so they are trying to get all of their RN's to go back for their bachelor's. Some of the RN's I am working with are taking online classes or night classes to get their BSN's. Others are refusing to do it they have been RN's for 30 years, have kids, there will be no pay difference where I work, and they will be in debt so it is not worth it for them. As for me I do not regret my decision to get my ADN but at the same time I will be pursuing my BSN while working as an RN once I graduate. The BSN push is not as big in my state as it is in others.

Moogie · Jun 3, 2011

I already have a B.S. and I plan on getting either my MSN, DNP or CNS within the next 5 years. I am 1/4 of the way thru my ADN. I already have an RN job at the hospital I currently work at, after I graduate. But I'm still worried I made a mistake and shot myself in the foot by not doing an accelerated bachelor's. The cost was higher and the hospital only reimbursed for RN. At the time, I didn't see the need or want to get a second bachelor's. But with a new sister hospital being built right near my house, and the talk of magnet status, Im second guessing my choice.
Anyone else?

I'm sorry but I am a little confused by one of your statements. You said that the hospital will only reimburse you for your RN. Are you saying it would only reimburse for your initial RN education? Are you sure the hospital would not reimburse you for an accelerated bachelor's (ABSN)? Also, will the hospital provide tuition reimbursement for an advanced degree?

I don't mean to sound discouraging, but if you're 1/4 of the way through your ADN program now, it may not be realistic to get an MSN or DNP within the next 5 years. You can do an ADN-MSN bridge but in most programs you will need to take some additional coursework to make up for not having the BSN, even if you already have a bachelor's in another field. For those without previous bachelor's degrees, the baccalaureate coursework can add up to an extra year to the ADN-MSN bridge. Although the ABSN route is more expensive, you might save a bit of time that way.

Most MSN programs in advanced practice nursing are around 60 credits. One school in my area offers a 5 semester Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track that can be completed in less than 2 years but to do so, one needs to take 12-15 credits per semester (less in the summer). It's a grueling schedule and most people take far more than 2 years to finish.

In contrast, a DNP can take 8 semesters full-time (including summer sessions) to complete post-bachelor's degree. A DNP program in my area that offers a track in FNP is 89 credits and takes a little less than 3 years to finish if one goes full-time. In that particular program, a BSN is required; I don't see any exceptions for someone with an ADN and a bachelor's in another area.

Many colleges of nursing are in the process of phasing out their MSN programs in advanced practice nursing (Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) in favor of the DNP. That MIGHT mean the end of the ADN-MSN bridge in advanced practice specialties. (Then again, it might not.)

You may notice that I talked about FNP programs and not CNS programs. Many schools are dropping their CNS tracks because their graduates have trouble finding jobs. In recent years, the CNS and NP roles have become blurred and many institutions prefer to hire NPs because they have prescriptive authority. My experience has been that in many health systems, the CNS is often the first nurse to be fired when budgets become tight. While the role is vital, it isn't seen that way by some administrators. I think this is unfortunate but it's reality. I think that the Clinical Nurse Leader (which is a generalist MSN, not advanced practice) may evolve to fill the role of the CNS but it's really too early to tell.

I think if you can cut your losses and get into an ABSN program this fall, you may be ahead of the game. However, you may not be able to get into an ABSN program until next year; the application deadlines for many schools may have passed or you could be put on a wait list. If that's the case, finish your ADN and start looking into either an ADN-MSN bridge or an RN-BSN program as soon as possible.

Please don't beat yourself up over this but do realize that by going the ADN route it may take you a little longer to get to your goal.

kenpochic · Jun 3, 2011

Sometimes Im a little worried but my plan is to do a bridge program and get my masters. and yes im aware of the fact that alot of them do want BSN and will not make an exceptions. however some of them will just add on a couple of classes to your bridge program. I have a BBA (Management). If i really wanna an NP etc I will find a school that will accept my degree etc even if i have to move out of state.

Despareux · Jun 3, 2011

I'm not worried. I plan on starting an RN to BSN right after I pass my NCLEX. In my area, I'm pretty sure there's plenty of time for me (and others) to get their BSN. Of course, I would wait too long.

kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 5, 2011

I'm just trying to understand why so many people are getting their ADN or LPN, then immediately going into these bridge programs. Won't that cost more, take longer, and be more troublesome? Why not just go straight to the BSN and skip the bridges? I'm glad I just did the BSN, then the MSN. In my city, we have 3 hospital networks. 1 will not consider ANY new grad unless you have a BSN. The other is requiring the ADN's to go back to school within 1-2 years of hire. The last network is implementing that change to BSN only. They are requiring all LPN's to go back to school within a couple of years, even if they've been there 10-20 years. On paper, BSN>ADN. Even if the ADN student had a GREAT clinical education, BSN is still chosen.