Associates degree RN vs. BSN

EastCoast · Oct 28, 2003

Originally posted by PSUNURS05
I was also told today that many students graduate without starting IVs. Is this true??

I don't know of any students that i have come across that have been allowed to start IV's. I think it is because in most facilities one needs to attend or be certified. To allow a student to do this would create unnecessary pain for some patients and if the patient is a tough stick then that is one less vein available for an experienced nurse.

Translation: don't judge any program by whether or not you get to do procedures. concentrate on mastering the basic pearls of assessment, noting abnormaities, and learning how to interact with patients and families. These are the skills that will make you a good nurse in the long run. A chimpanzee can learn to put an IV in the average patient if they do it again and again.

(no offense to speicialized IV nurses who are called for those difficult cases)

iliel · Oct 28, 2003

Maybe a sticky should be made for the RN vs BSN questions since it seems to cause so much drama. It has been talked to death and it still can be talked about, but, maybe for the newbies a sticky can be posted with links or something that says to use the search feature. I just don't like the idea of ppl getting annoyed that someone asks, they come here for advice.

Just a thought.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Oct 28, 2003

Originally posted by iliel
Maybe a sticky should be made for the RN vs BSN questions since it seems to cause so much drama. It has been talked to death and it still can be talked about, but, maybe for the newbies a sticky can be posted with links or something that says to use the search feature. I just don't like the idea of ppl getting annoyed that someone asks, they come here for advice.

Just a thought.

Good Idea!

mitchsmom · Oct 28, 2003

On IV's.. I'm just in my first semester (and we dont' do clinicals the first semester in my program)... but one of my instructors talked like we would be doing IV's. ???

KristinWW · Oct 28, 2003

Originally posted by Lorus
PSUNURS05- I wouldnt worry so much about not having X amount of hours of clinical experience by the time you leave school. After graduation, seek out a hospital that will offer you the highest quality orientation. After a few months, you will be right where you need to be clinically.
Right out of school, BSN grads generally take a bit longer than ADN's to get up to speed clinically. This reflects the difference in the goals of each educational pathway. (neither being better- just different) ADN programs were designed in the 1950's to produce nurse technicians that were able to hit the ground running when they left school. ADN programs have evolved over the years, but they still have a clinical focus. These programs are able to contain more clinical hours because they are not subject to the degree requirements BSN programs have (languages, cultural studies, liberal arts classes, etc.) BSN programs simply have a different focus than ADN programs.

The point here is that no matter where you go to school, you will still learn more in those first 6-12 months of working as a nurse than you ever did in school. -Lorus

Good point, Lorus! And to stray a bit but further make your point, I don't know of any new position where the individual is able to hit the ground running. Think abou it - you'll always need some type of orientation.

Lorus · Oct 28, 2003

Absolutely KristinWW. Its a darn good thing that hospitals offer orientations and preceptorships too. I mean, (to have this thread stray a little further) its kind of funny that we go to school for anywhere from ~1-4 years and we still require additional clinical training when we start a job... Of course everyone needs time to get a handle on your new hospital's protocols, charting methods, where supplies are, and where your resources are etc. But to come out of school, and get your butt kicked for at least the first 6 months... It just makes me wonder if nursing schools could be doing something differently to better prepare new grads for the transition.

Im sure this butt kicking would be more pronounced if you are heading directly for a specialty area after graduation- one that you gloss over in school, (ICU, peds, OB) just because theres no time for it. Theres just too much ground to cover. It would be neat if during the senior year, schools could offer a class that would be a focus in your specialty area. Im not talking internships or cheezy 'observational time', but a full on 7 credit clinical/didactic assault on your interest area... Ok i know this is pretty unrealistic but it sure would make the transition easier... -Lorus

maire, ASN, RN · Oct 28, 2003

Originally posted by Lorus
It would be neat if during the senior year, schools could offer a class that would be a focus in your specialty area. Im not talking internships or cheezy 'observational time', but a full on 7 credit clinical/didactic assault on your interest area... Ok i know this is pretty unrealistic but it sure would make the transition easier...

Amen to that. My school offers a preceptorship elective class during the last semester, but it's I think 1 credit and those that I've talked to that have taken it said it was a waste of time.

manna, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2003

Originally posted by caroladybelle
Well, some of us have posted answers to this question about every other week that we have been here.

I'm of the opinion that if a thread bothers you, or you have answered that question a thousand times before - why not just don't read it?

We were all newbies once upon a time.. hell, some of us are STILL newbies.

Lorus · Oct 28, 2003

SJSU_Mami · Nov 5, 2003

Some tasks are hard to get experience in because hospitals don't allow them. One Kaiser I had clinical at didn't allow finger sticks, some won't allow students to perform IV push, hang blood, etc. So its not surprising that there is still a lot to learn once we're out. I'm eager to get into Stanford's NICU New Grad program to finally allow me to practice what I mastered on the dummies!! I've talked to some alumni who have stated there were things they didn't do until they were actually working, like drawing blood. All the big hospitals had phlebotomists and they wasn't much chance to try unless we were in out home health rotation.. but the hospitals assume you know nothing when they hire you.. it all should turn out ok as long as one is a fast learner and an enthusiastic person.

soulshine · Nov 8, 2003

I am in the exact same position as you...my question is: are you oging on for your masters? i've decided to do the adn route for a few reasons

1) i want to start out doing bedside nursing and travel nursing, where they don't discriminate between bsn and adn

2)quicker

3) cheaper

4) i already have a bachelor's degree. if i'm going to get another post bac degree (and i'm fairly confident that at some point i would like to get further education) there are plenty of rsn to msn programs for me to attend, thereby eliminating the need for the bsn at all...

if this echoes any of the sentiments you're feeling..let me know!

and do you know about adn programs in boston? i graduated from school there and am thinking about moving back for my adn..

thanks!

LauraLou · Nov 8, 2003

Soulshine,

That is exactly what I am doing. I have a BA and MS in other fields and didn't want to take the time or money to get another Bachelors degree. Once I have several years of experience, I plan to enter a RN to MSN program.

It is a little strange to be getting an Associates degree after having a Masters but it seems the best option for me.