Bachelors Degree for New RN's

SusanJean · May 17, 2005

Are you talking about a BSN? There is no harm in starting as soon as possible as long as you manage your time well and can afford to do it. Ck and see if your employer will help w/ tuition.

Good luck.

SJ

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 17, 2005

Are you talking about ADN to BSN? If so, then yes, go immediately for it, get it out of the way, lack of expereince is not going to be a hinderence.

The local college here just opened up a RN to BSN program a couple of years ago and they encourage all their ADN graduates to go for it immediately.

Don't wait 15 years like myself. :)

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · May 17, 2005

Considering that the BSN is an entry level in its own right, there is no reason whatsoever to require/expect/recommend experience before obtaining it.

llg, PhD, RN · May 17, 2005

Considering that the BSN is an entry level in its own right, there is no reason whatsoever to require/expect/recommend experience before obtaining it.

I think that is the perfect answer.

Well said!

llg

jkharley · May 17, 2005

Are you talking about a BSN? There is no harm in starting as soon as possible as long as you manage your time well and can afford to do it. Ck and see if your employer will help w/ tuition.
Good luck.
SJ

Thanks for your input, it is appreciated

jkharley · May 17, 2005

Are you talking about ADN to BSN? If so, then yes, go immediately for it, get it out of the way, lack of expereince is not going to be a hinderence.
The local college here just opened up a RN to BSN program a couple of years ago and they encourage all their ADN graduates to go for it immediately.
Don't wait 15 years like myself. :)

I am a new grad from an ADN program at age 52. I don't have a great deal of time to poop around. Thanks for your input, it is appreciated.

jkharley · May 17, 2005

Considering that the BSN is an entry level in its own right, there is no reason whatsoever to require/expect/recommend experience before obtaining it.

Thanks for your input, it is appreciated.

jkharley · May 17, 2005

I think that is the perfect answer.
Well said!
llg

Thanks for your response, it is appreciated

llg, PhD, RN · May 17, 2005

After a little more thought, I do have two pieces of advice if you are thinking about going to a BSN completion program right after completing your ADN.

I recommend not going to school while you are still transitioning to the staff nurse role -- particularly while still in orientation. It's not that the "level of education" would be above you. It's just that the orientation/transition period is usually pretty stressful and deserves your full attention. If you spread yourself too thin, you might end up doing a poor job at both. I've seen several new ADN grads make that mistake.

Also, you might want to talk with people at your school to find out if there are any courses for which experience as an RN would be strongly advised -- and then take those classes last. Some BSN completion programs cater to the experienced crowd and gear their homework assignments, tests, etc. to that group. If you are the only person in the class who doesn't have experience, it could hurt you.

So ... while work experience SHOULD not be necessary, there may be some circumstances in which it would be disadventateous to return to school immediately. Check into the particulars of the program to find out -- and don't overburden yourself by trying to do too much at one time.

Good luck,

llg