ASN or BSN?

U.S.A. Pennsylvania

Published

which degree would be best to get? i know alot of people who only have there ASN and they say that they do just as much and make just as much as nurses with there BSN. which should i do? also if you have any good links on where to get finacial aid or any websites that could help could you please post them. thanks alot.

The answer to your question lies in your future educational plans.

All graduate programs require a BS or BA and many specifically require a BSN.

If you don't plan to further your education then an Associate degree or a diploma program will serve just as well to get your license. There is absolutely no difference in the functionality of any of the pathways to an RN license.

I do not agree that the answer lies in your future educational plans. Since nursing is a profession, the BSN should be the obvious choice as entry into the nursing profession.

Don't get me wrong, I have met alot of ADN/Diploma -RN nurses who are outstanding and give excellant care, but... more education is needed to really give our patients the care they demand.

I should know... I was a diploma grad who excelled in critical care and neonatal nursing. But is was not until I went back for my BSN did I realize ALL that I was missing. Literally the blinders fell off as I took courses in anthropology, adol. & abnormal pysch., Chemistry, economics, Advanced A&P, community nursing, physical assessment, nursing management and nursing reasearch... just to name a few. These courses enabled me to see the WHOLE picture and yes provide better care for my patients. It also assisted me in communicating more effectively with others in the health care environment. ( Namely physicians, especially when we discussed treatment options based on clinical research studies).

Am I saying that BSN prepared nurses make better nurses? no. What I am saying is that a BSN education gives the NEW RN graduate the initial advantage of really understanding the whole patient and their needs in this constantly changing health care system. As they gain clinical experinece and confidence the whole picture will come together. And yes they will be able to provide better care to the whole patient since they were given the tools.

As a former nursing instructor, I realized that it was totally impossible to provide my students with ALL the clinical experiences that they would need to work in 'the real world' since health care is rapidly changing. What we did provide them was the tools/skills, 'critical thinking' skills and educational background needed to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care to their patients in this ever changing world. Teaching techinques have also changed in medical schools to problem based learning ( using critical thinking skills) because of the rapid change in medical care.

What we have to remember, it is not ONLY the clinical experience that we received in nursing school that makes a difference in how we evaluate at ADN/Diploma/BSN graduate, it really is the tools/education that were provided to us in order to assist us in our CONTINUAL learning process.

So.. I know that I was a little long, but... go for the BSN, work hard and you will enjoy the field of nursing. I have for >24 years.

Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

Just curious :D What is a CPNP?

Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

Never mind, I looked up :rolleyes:

Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Cool.

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