BSN degree seems off topic

calivianya, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2016

That's exactly why I got my BSN right off the bat. I didn't think I could handle taking the fluff classes alone.

My fluff classes were mixed in with the good stuff. The semester I had med/surg, psych, and pharmacology, I also had my leadership/delegation class. Having to do that leadership class by itself would have probably made me want to gouge my eye out with a rusty nail.

brillohead, ADN, RN · Jun 5, 2016

Must nurses will agree that they only get their BSN so they can apply for ARNP/CRNA school or because they want a job away from patient care.

I'm going to get my BSN simply because my hospital requires it within five years of hiring on. I have no desire to become a CRNA or NP or get my MSN or get a job in management / away from patient care.

But to me, the fact that I can go from RN to BSN completely online tells me all I need to know. This isn't about making me a better nurse -- it's about making me a "more well-rounded person" in general.

I wouldn't be so cynical if it involved taking classes in microbiology, wound care, pharmacology, etc. -- those are things that would be applicable to my patient care. IMO, classes on public health policy, statistics, management, etc., aren't going to make me a better bedside nurse.

JustMeRN · Jun 5, 2016

A lot of people I know call the BSN degree a B.S. nursing degree if you get my point. Throughout my my BSN program I have felt that many of the classes were not truly nursing related. I don't think that classes such transcultural nursing is important enough of a 4 credit hour class when we could be learning more about subjects such as pharmacology or advanced nursing skills. Basically I think that the classes offered in the BSN programs are just not important enough to dedicate an entire semester worth of work to. Must nurses will agree that they only get their BSN so they can apply for ARNP/CRNA school or because they want a job away from patient care.
Does anyone else agree with me? What are your thoughts about the BSN?

no, I don't agree with you at all. I just completed my BSN, and I have been a nurse 16 years with an ASN. Every single class, every credit hour, every paper has benefitted me in some way. One of the big points of a bsn is to improve critical thinking skills and leadership skills. A bsn is not about advanced nursing skills or pharmacology. If you want advanced skills you choose a specialty, train by working that specialty, and become certified. Advanced pharmacology knowledge is generally covered in proscriber level education (np programs) and masters programs. Honestly it's a bit unfortunate that you wouldn't see the immense benefit in learning about transcultural nursing. You want more technical teaching, but the point of a bsn is not to improve skill, but round out knowledge. Nursing is about a lot more than hands on technical skills and training. Your adn programs give you the basic skills you need to be a nurse, a bsn program improves how you use those skills.

WheresMyPen · Jun 5, 2016

I agree that there should be more pharm. I am almost done with my Bsn but I did learn a lot. Most of the core nursing I already learned but not as in depth. Was a good refresher for me!

I am one of those nurses who wants to always be at the bedside though. I only moved on to persuit more job security, and to learn.

WheresMyPen · Jun 5, 2016

no, I don't agree with you at all. I just completed my BSN, and I have been a nurse 16 years with an ASN. Every single class, every credit hour, every paper has benefitted me in some way. One of the big points of a bsn is to improve critical thinking skills and leadership skills. A bsn is not about advanced nursing skills or pharmacology. If you want advanced skills you choose a specialty, train by working that specialty, and become certified. Advanced pharmacology knowledge is generally covered in proscriber level education (np programs) and masters programs. Honestly it's a bit unfortunate that you wouldn't see the immense benefit in learning about transcultural nursing. You want more technical teaching, but the point of a bsn is not to improve skill, but round out knowledge. Nursing is about a lot more than hands on technical skills and training. Your adn programs give you the basic skills you need to be a nurse, a bsn program improves how you use those skills.

Very good point. I do wish they spent more time on pharm though. I guess it's just incredibly hard because there are so many medications. I do a lot of learning on my own. But I do very much agree and appreciate everything I've learned. I do not want to be a NM or DON, but it's good to have leadership skills because I apply them even as a bedside nurse. And although I hate being charge nurse I do utilize what im learning in school and when I apply it, it all comes together!

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2016

If all your classes are "fluff," maybe it's the particular program which is lame, not necessarily the BSN degree itself.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2016

Generally, as we ascend in higher learning, the coursework tends to have less of a practical focus and more of an analytical focus. We're not paid for what we do; rather, we're paid for what we know.

The papers, 'fluff' and 'unimportant classes' are devised to promote the student's abilities for synthesis and higher-order analytical reasoning.

Boomer MS, RN · Jun 5, 2016

Generally, as we ascend in higher learning, the coursework tends to have less of a practical focus and more of an analytical focus. We're not paid for what we do; rather, we're paid for what we know.
The papers, 'fluff' and 'unimportant classes' are devised to promote the student's abilities for synthesis and higher-order analytical reasoning.

Well stated. Thank you.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2016

Totally disagree. Where are you getting "most nurses will agree"? How many nurses did you survey? What were the questions you asked? What area do they work? How long have they been RNs? What is a "job away from patient care"? Do you mean bedside nursing? Because as a head nurse you are still providing care to patients. Nurse Case Managers are still providing care to patients.

If I understand this you are saying a BSN is a "b%%% s%%%" degree? Because you think "transcultural nursing" is pointless? Do you understand what a Bachelors degree is? What "advanced nursing skills" should be taught? Why those? What evidence do you have that this will matter? How does this fit into what a Bachelors degree is?

I have two bachelors degrees. My first is business admin. I had many classes that "I" felt were not "related" to business. However I learned: Study habits, broad ranging skills, time management, meeting deadlines, and most important completing the mission whatever it is. You may view it as stupid and pointless and that is your right. However maybe developing a good work ethic will serve you more than what was on page 345 of a pathophysiology book from a class 10 years ago.

iLOVEbees · Jun 5, 2016

I agree with the OP. My BSN was all fluff. I am not a better nurse because of it. It was needed, however, to get into the master's program I wanted.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 6, 2016

what we do[/i]; rather we're paid for [i']what we know[/i].

Exactly!!! Often times, depending on the patients' condition, we teach patients and their families how to do what we do for when they go home. But it is the why that we teach, that will hopefully discourage those individuals from taking any shortcuts with health maintenance once they are discharged.

To the OP, I initially felt as you do. But when I began my Communith Health Nursing course, I found my passionate area of nursing after 28 years in the field! During that semester, I realized there was far more to community health than health departments and home health. I found a position in the regulatory aspect that has me now in business attire and a rolling briefcase, instead of scrubs and the usual 'I Love Nursing' tote. (However, I'm back at the bedside on a weekend shift for the hands-on skills maintenance and pay).

Had I not entered into the BSN program, I never would have taken a deeper-then-second look into the area. Now, I have a refreshingly autonomous full time position that has added pep to my step at the bedside simply because now, I don't have to do acute care regularly. Additionally, going into these facilities out in the community allows me to still share my nursing knowledge regarding and explaining State Regulations prior to issuing citations for failing to comply with said regulations. When a facility administrator says to me "I wished that had been explained to us before" and says 'thank you' instead of "I'll see you at the court hearing", my BSN program gets the credit. :yes: