Better clinicals with BSN program???

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jul 27, 2008

I think it really depends more on the individual programs available in your area.

I've precepted both prepared and unprepared students in each degree program.

Bicster · Jul 27, 2008

Is this true?:stone

uh no.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 27, 2008

As Eric said, it depends on the individual school -- and the quality of the individual program/faculty.

NICUplease · Jul 27, 2008

From what I've been told from Nursing advisors at some universities is that the BSN offers a lot more theory than the ADN, and ADN offers more clinical hands on time for the students. My son's pediatrician is a NP and she remembers her BSN program was a lot of lecture, so she felt unprepared going into clinicals, BUT I definately agree with the others that it really depends on the individual programs!

tinybabynurse · Jul 27, 2008

I have heard from a friend of mine who is a preceptor that she notices that the BSN students have more "book" knowledge and the ADN students have more hands-on skills.

Like others have said though, I am SURE it just depends on the school.

I happen to be doing a BSN, but I believe both prepare you well.

JStyles1 · Jul 28, 2008

around here the hospitals are aiming towards magnet status. with that in mind they are catering more towards the BSN school giving us the best clinical ops b/c they want BSN students to come work for them.

in my opinion i'd rather have someone with the book smarts and have them pick up the clinical skills later. clinical skills can be taught to anyone, thats why we teach families how to take care of family members at home. its something totally different when you have someone with the smarts AND the skills

CuriousMe · Jul 28, 2008

I have heard from a friend of mine who is a preceptor that she notices that the BSN students have more "book" knowledge and the ADN students have more hands-on skills.
Like others have said though, I am SURE it just depends on the school.
I happen to be doing a BSN, but I believe both prepare you well.

I wonder if the folks who are attracted to each program have something to do with this.

Those who are looking to focus more on the "book work" might be more attracted to the BSN programs and those more attracted to getting in hands on to the nursing stuff might be more attracted to ADN programs.

It would be an interesting research question.

Peace,

CuriousMe

Chscruggs · Jul 28, 2008

I wonder if the folks who are attracted to each program have something to do with this.
Those who are looking to focus more on the "book work" might be more attracted to the BSN programs and those more attracted to getting in hands on to the nursing stuff might be more attracted to ADN programs.
It would be an interesting research question.
Peace,
CuriousMe

Personally, I have chosen a Associates program due to the "time frame" and financial factors. I'm anxious to go out and begin working due to my single parent status. However, I do plan on going for my BSN as quickly as possible. IMO..maybe time frames and financial constraints are what attract others to the ADN programs as well?:thnkg:

kstec, LPN · Jul 28, 2008

I'm a LPN, but from what I've heard and gathered from talking to RN ASN, vs. RN, BSN is that ultimately you both take the same state boards, but a lot of the testing is on assessments and what to do first. Well, I gather that you get a lot more time in the RN, ASN because the BSN is prepping them for management so they have a lot more class time. I could be wrong, but I even talked to RN, BSN's when I was doing my LPN clinicals and they all said they couldn't believe how hands on we were already. 8 weeks after starting school we were doing clinical along with classroom. It continued until the end of school. In the RN, ASN program at the same school they were on the floors after 8 weeks until the end of graduation, 2 years later. Everyone can correct me if I'm wrong, but this is what I've either observed or learned. The one thing you definitely want to know is that if your long term goal is management, go the BSN route. I know a lot of RN, BSN who are on the floor, but most are my bosses.

Chantilly · Jul 28, 2008

around here the hospitals are aiming towards magnet status. with that in mind they are catering more towards the BSN school giving us the best clinical ops b/c they want BSN students to come work for them.
in my opinion i'd rather have someone with the book smarts and have them pick up the clinical skills later. clinical skills can be taught to anyone, thats why we teach families how to take care of family members at home. its something totally different when you have someone with the smarts AND the skills

Only thing is that just because someone is in an ADN program doesn't mean they aren't book smart too...not to brag but I am, I ask my nurses in clinical questions they can't answer all the time and my instructors are alwyas impressed with the questions I ask as well. People have different reasons for choosing to pursue each degree, so I don't think we can generalize the student in either program. I really just think it somes down to the individual and not the degree type of progam. (Yeah I am in an ADN:D)

I have noticed that when my clinical groups have been on the floor at the same time as the university students, it seems that they are more timid when it comes time to patient interaction. Maybe because they haven't been in clinical as long as we have...just my guess. That and none of the university students have been able to answer questions asked by doctors, nurses or whoever that I did not also know the answer to. It's all individual...really it is.

jesa · Jul 29, 2008

I'm going through a BSN program and it seems that my understanding is the same as what others are saying, BSN has more "process" classes that are supposed to be more about critical thinking rather than skills, but I don't know that those who are at local community colleges have any less critical thinking skills than my classmates and I do. we all take the same amount of clinical hours. we all take clinicals at the same hospitals, so I don't know that one is better than the other as far as clinicals go

if you are planning on continuing on to get an advanced degree or want to be a manager then going the BSN route is more likely better, but if you know where you want to work and are really wanting to be a staff nurse then getting an associates is probably just as good. either way you come out as a nurse, we all will work together, and we all will be doing the same thing in the end