Associates or Bachelors?

[mickjordmoll]

Can anyone tell me the major differences between an associates degree and a bachelors degree? I realize the bachelors requires more schooling and more job opportunities.

Jobwise is what I mean. Can you still aquire a job at a hospital with an associates? Is it better to continue education and earn your bachelors?

[piel_canela26]

We all take the same NCLEX. We all do the same work. We all get paid the same.

But as an ADN nursing student? We have to learn the same basics, in a much shorter time span. Its very challenging. (MAN is that an understatement!!!!!:chuckle) A friend of mine in a BSN program had 8 weeks of lectures on diabetes. We had TWO lectures. TOTAL:(. And still have to know all the same material. NOT that I think the BSN would be easier? But for some people, it might be better. I know it took me a lot of self direction to manage to get the studying in that I needed to pass the tests. You didnt need to know what was in the lectures. You just needed to know it all!

JMO

Lvn

I agree with you 1000%, i graduated from an ADN program and i think it's more intense b/c we have to learn everything a BSN student learns in 4 years in 2yrs, we dont have a separet pharmacology class, we dont have a separet leadership or management class but we still have to learn it.... that's why i feel discriminated at when some hospitals only want nurses with a BSN well all have to take the same nclex and most of the times not always the nurses from the ADN programs pass on their first shot and the students from BSN dont....

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

...........most of the times not always the nurses from the ADN programs pass on their first shot and the students from BSN dont....

It's really not fair for you to make such statements. Surely if it were the case that the ADNs in your areas had better pass rates and a superior education and were superior in some sort of way, the word would get out and recruiters would not favor the BSNs.

Any statistical facts to back up what you're claiming. Sounds more like sour grapes than fact.......or at least a casual observation on your part....again not fact......why stereotype when you yourself are claiming you don't want to be "discriminated" against.

[Datastream]

Great advice! I recently finished my ADN program and we have a one year add-on for BSN that I have been contemplating doing this year, or waiting one additional year to complete.

[08cbrule]

Due to the shortage in nursing do the rules still apply regarding a associate nurse not being to hold a managemnet position?

[08cbrule]

thanks for helping me clear up the associate vs BSN nurse question

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Due to the shortage in nursing do the rules still apply regarding a associate nurse not being to hold a managemnet position?

No. You'll find many nurse managers and other management positions held by ADN's. This is especially true in smaller hospitals in smaller towns.

[08cbrule]

thanks for sharing your view on the associate vs bachelor RN regarding management

[NurseExec]

Due to the shortage in nursing do the rules still apply regarding a associate nurse not being to hold a managemnet position?

Good Lord, I hope not, LOL!! I am the director of nursing for a 120 bed SNF in Florida, and I'm a proud ADN. 'Nuff said!

[Boston34]

I have a question. I have the chance to do an Accelerated BSN program in one year or an associates program in 2 years....Which one should I choose.. The proce difference is 28,000. I want a good job when I get out of school and pass the NCLEX...any advice...I live in california if that makes a difference on what degree is better..

[PMFB-RN, RN]

Due to the shortage in nursing do the rules still apply regarding a associate nurse not being to hold a managemnet position?

*** I don't know of any shortage in nursing. Plenty of RNs looking for jobs out there. As for management, most manager jobs I see require a BSN and quite a few want MSN. That said I work in the surgical/trauma/CVICU of a large Magnet hospital and last fall (fall of 2009) they hired a new manager for the unit who has a ASN and no other degree. Lots of the small rural hospitals around here have nurse managers who are diploma or associates degree nurses.

[FUTURERNTOO]

I will graduate in May with my associates and will continue to get my bachelors. However the pay is the same and as I have been applying for jobs and speaking with HR staff, they do not have a preference for one over the other. I have heard from many nurses on the floor that they like our students who are in the two year program more then the 4 year because we have more clinical experience and we help them out alot more then the other students. Either way each person decides on their own career path and what is best for them. No one here is better than anyone else because of the degree they have. I believe one of the principles instilled in us in nursing school is to be non judgemental.

[rnwannabesoon]

Yay! Good for you! I am yet to start my prerequisites. :) any advice on what classes to take first? If the nursing program hard? How long did you wait to get in? Are you in california?