Better clinicals with BSN program???

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Just curious for those who did either BSN or ADN programs. Do you get more "exposure" with a BSN program? I keep hearing that I should go through a BSN program instead of a ADN program because I won't be trained as good going through community college. Is this true?:stone

Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

I graduated from a diploma program in 2006 and it's been around for a long time as well (100+ years). Very proud graduate. It is a three year program and clinical was intense....actually the whole program was intense! 100% pass rate on NCLEX over the last several years. Each semester when we were to learn a new skill, we had nursing arts labs to learn the skill and practice it. The NAL was always open if you needed extra time to practice it. It is a wonderful program. Prepared us very well for actual nursing.

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We have very few lab hours (only 45 in the whole program). They give us just enough to make sure we know what we're doing in clinicals, but they feel that time with patients is much more useful and prepare us better to be RNs. Since we usually only have 4 students per clinical instructor, we get a LOT of one-on-one instruction during clinicals. We're never doing any new skill alone, but we get to do stuff like using sterile technique to change a central line dressing right from the get-go (I think I did that my second week!). The staff is also really friendly to our students, so the pain management and wound care nurses have let me do stuff like removing Stryker pump lines within the first month of school. I'm pretty amazed -- I didn't expect to be getting to do so much so soon.

Like Alternator81 said, it all depends on the school. My program gets great clinicals at the best hospitals in our area (probably because it has a reputation for producing GREAT nurses and because the program has been around for a LONG time). Like I mentioned, we get a full semester in the ICU (not sure how they manage that, since none of the other schools do) and time in the OR, etc. But I'm sure BSN programs or ADN programs could get better clinicals in other areas. It all depends!

Well thank goodness you don't do skills by yourself for the first time, I'm pretty sure your state's BON would have something to say about that if you did do new skills by yourself for the first time. :D

I think we have 80 lab hours a term (btw, we have ten week terms, it sounds like you have semesters) plus three simulator labs. I like our lab time though, it gives me a chance to work on just my technique.

As you said, everyone has different needs from their program. It's important for me to graduate with my Bachelors degree so that I can achieve my ultimate goals.

I'm glad you enjoy your program so much.

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it DEFINITELY depends! Around here the community college and hospital program are a million times better than the 4 year schools. That's what made my decision. Ask around, if you know any one in the medical field they may be able to offer some insight. Call the schools and find out how many actual clinical hours the program includes!

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i graduated from a diploma program in 2006 and it's been around for a long time as well (100+ years). very proud graduate. it is a three year program and clinical was intense....actually the whole program was intense! 100% pass rate on nclex over the last several years. each semester when we were to learn a new skill, we had nursing arts labs to learn the skill and practice it. the nal was always open if you needed extra time to practice it. it is a wonderful program. prepared us very well for actual nursing.

lol suzy253 did you happen to graduate from st. joes in ri???

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.
lol suzy253 did you happen to graduate from st. joes in ri???

indeed!!! are you there now? do i know you???:nuke:

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I personally have been told by and MD that if he had to pick between to potential nurses and the only thing that differed between the two of them was and ADN and BSN, that he would hire the ADN. Simply because the ADN has more hands-on time and better developed skills, while the BSN has more lecture time.

Other than that, there was a BSN student doing clinicals at the same hospital I had my final clinical and she told me she liked our 'set-up' for clinicals better than what she had.

Just remember that each school is different. You can't judge the whole batch just because one is bad!

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Our Masters Entry program (Clinical Nurse Leader) has over 1000 precepted clinical hours (all 1:1) over a 24-month program. We do not have any group clinicals for this program.

Our NCLEX passrate was for the 2007 grads --- higher than any other program in Virginia (including the AD and diploma programs). Not all of the 2008 grads have taken boards yet.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

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I've had my share of comparing ADN vs BSN or Community College vs. university. Listen I've been to both. Not for nursing school of course but I've been educated on both levels. I personally prepared myself to go through a BSN program only because of future career options HOWEVER I received an offer I couldn't refuse so I am currently in an ADN pgm funded through one of the leading hospitals in our state once I pass the NCLEX which our CC has the highest 1st time success rate in the state.

With no prior medical experience I feel that I am even more competent than a BSN because guess what? I'll be an RN in the time equal to the completion of what would have been my 2nd year in the BSN pgm. We take the SAME Test by the time that same BSN stops fumbling around with foley catheters and IVPB's I will have completed my Accelerated BSN and on to my MSN. I've discovered that my learning comes from seeing and doing.

6 weeks into my first semester of nursing school our clinicals began. I was terrified to death because I did not feel ready. I felt that we were being thrown to the wolves and we were but it made us fit for survival. We latched onto learning opportunities. RN's were grabbing us left and right "do you want to see me insert a NG tube?" "Flush an IV?" "Insert a foley cath?" It was amazing. So when it came down to lecture things became CRYSTAL CLEAR. We didn't have to imagine what it would look like, how to do it or why which left us open to focus on other details which enhanced our "book knowledge". I understand the concepts that I've learned in lecture by immediately getting out there and putting those theories to practice. I feel more comfortable, confident and competent.

I feel that we've been treated well in our clinical rotation and the shift tues/wed 7am-2pm ain't too bad either. After all the hospital is not only our educator but our future employer. I'd say job well done.

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The thing that made me second guess my decision to go to a 4 year program was NCLEX results. When I compared the state's pass rates- out of all the top schools, the 2 year programs scored higher and near perfect (high 90s and 100s) as opposed to the BSN programs (low 80s to high 90s).

I would rather go to the college that can teach me what I need to know to pass the first time around. I can and will go for the BSN later on. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe one is better than the other. I just want those 2 precious letters after my name, and if I have to sweat blood and tears I want to know it was not in vain at a school that can't 'guarantee' passing the NCLEX with flying colors.

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Yes I am a freshman!! Do you work at Fatima now?? I'm doing my clinical on 4 south with Mrs. Bloom, I am LOVING it!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
When I compared the state's pass rates- out of all the top schools, the 2 year programs scored higher and near perfect (high 90s and 100s) as opposed to the BSN programs (low 80s to high 90s).

Please keep in mind, that is not always the norm. I go to a University (BSN program), and our pass rate was 95% last year.

Best,

Diane :nurse:

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