ASN a barrier to MSN

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 28, 2008

Don't allow one person's opinion/blanket statement spoil your plans. I would like to see her stats on this. I'm sure she cannot reproduce them other than possibly her opinion regarding the program in which she is associated.

So, proceed with your plans. Sounds like you are eager and I'm sure you will do a very good job in your NP program. Good luck!!!!

7starbuck7 · Mar 28, 2008

I know! It was just my knee-jerk reaction. I am glad it was a phone conversation, I don't know if my face could hide my shock! Esp since I graduated from this school's RN-to-BSN program! WOW.

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 28, 2008

Oh, I'm sure you were floored. I would have been as well. Sometimes people make these poorly thought out lopsided comments and the impact these comments have on the recepient produces unwarranted anxiety.

Like I said, I think you are going to do just fine. Let it roll off your back. LOL!!

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Mar 29, 2008

Hi folks!
Background I have an ASN (2000) BSN (2007) and I am starting a MSN-FNP program in the summer.
I originally started in a different program in a different school but did not like the online format. Now I am questioning my decision. I spoke with the faculty adviser for the program I am starting this summer and she cautioned me that they see problems with the RN-to-BSN students doing well in graduate school. RN-to-BSN programs are not as rigorous as traditional BSN programs and they see that as a problem. FWIW I have a 3.8 from my BSN and a 3.6 from my ASN. I agree the BSN was easier than the ASN.
I was a little taken aback by her comments. I feel like I can't win--"they" want you to have a BSN, but now my BSN is not good enough? Maybe I should have stuck with my original program where no one blinked an eye at my ASN.

There is a thought out there, that is supported by a couple of studies that does show this. HOWEVER!!!!!! Non of them take the individual into acount. THe ASN to BSN st6udent is usually older and has a life. There is a trend for the ASN-BSN students to take shortcuts. Again this DOESN"T take into acount the individual. In my case it's probably correct. All my adult life I've avoided hard sciences. Piced up a couple of Masters before going back, and I found that I had a hard time with the hard science part of the NP program. I can discuss the development of civilizations, but for the life of me can't remember how hydrogen ion uptake in the stomach makes a difference in medication absorption. :) Now I'm slowing down and going back to college and getting tha ral sciences and then going back to NP. I am going to finish MSN though, just not the NP now.

DON'T freak out over this, just be aware and go forth. Study hard and work hard. and when you graduate, thumb your nose at her.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 29, 2008

Aw this person doesn't know what she is talking about! Unless she has a large research study to back up her talk, she should can it! I was an ADN, worked for 8 years, went back for my BSN, right into the MSN and then into the post-MSN. My nursing experience is what I fall back on daily. I did fine and so will you. Good luck.

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2008

What she also is not taking into account is that people who do traditional BSN programs usually do not have any medical experience.... therefore, the students say it is harder and have a harder time with it.

Those of us who did the ADN-BSN have experience behind us that make the classes a little easier. We don't start from scratch.

Wonder what she thinks of the accelerated MSN programs. :uhoh21:

DaisyRN, ACNP · Mar 30, 2008

"rn-to-bsn programs are not as rigorous as traditional bsn programs and they see that as a problem."

this woman seems to have a wrinkle in her panties. i bet she's jealous that she didn't have the option to do the rn-bsn??

like the others, i also did the rn-bsn program... and it required a different kind of discipline because my program was all online and 5 courses each semester x 2. but you still have to take most of the same pre-reqs as a regular bsn program. and like cardio said... most of us the rn-bsn'ers have experience under our belt that makes the rn-bsn program simpler to get through.

i would have taken offense to this situation as well, but i'm the kind of person that likes to prove people wrong and show him or her that i *can* accomplish something. i don't let people tell me i will have a problem with something or whatever... that just fuels the fire for me to succeed further. you will do fine! more power to ya... keep us posted.

dds520 · Jun 23, 2008

Obviosly she is a nitwit. I am an ASN, got my BSN in 2005, after 24 years of nursing. I am considering an onliine msn, just because I work a lot and theyare gaining in acceptance. I agree with the other response, that she can never produce stats on this subject, and she should be happy, yes THRILLED! to have you, with a 3.8 and all that education under your belt. We ASNs know that it is a rigorous 2 year program, and most people do it in three. I too, have a 3.89 average, so I know how frustrated you must be. KKeep your options open and always stay away from the naysaers! Someone ought to reminder that Hello!!! there is a shortage of nurses that still will not be adequately remedied even with recent enrollment hikes.

justme1972 · Jun 23, 2008

Hi folks!
Background I have an ASN (2000) BSN (2007) and I am starting a MSN-FNP program in the summer.
I originally started in a different program in a different school but did not like the online format. Now I am questioning my decision. I spoke with the faculty adviser for the program I am starting this summer and she cautioned me that they see problems with the RN-to-BSN students doing well in graduate school. RN-to-BSN programs are not as rigorous as traditional BSN programs and they see that as a problem. FWIW I have a 3.8 from my BSN and a 3.6 from my ASN. I agree the BSN was easier than the ASN.
I was a little taken aback by her comments. I feel like I can't win--"they" want you to have a BSN, but now my BSN is not good enough? Maybe I should have stuck with my original program where no one blinked an eye at my ASN.

OK..whoever told you that told you a bunch of hogwash.

The GPA from your ADN is irrelevant...your OVERALL GPA is what graduate schools are concerned about.

No, it's not a barrier, in any form, way, or fashion. A BSN, as long it's from an accredited school, doesn't matter.

For example, in my ADN program, you don't have as many of the non-nursing courses such as history, math, etc, in order to finish and the BSN programs in my area focus on nursing theory...so when you are writing papers, you may find yourself at a disadvantage..but this IS a skill that can be learned quickly.

Most RN-BSN programs don't have any clinical portion to them at all, and I do the SAME amount of clinical hours as friends that I have that are in the regular BSN program at the university down the road...they do 1 day per week..just like I do.

GO GET YOUR MSN GIRL!!!! :heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat