BSN duties?

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jul 6, 2005

Hi. I actually have a BS in biology (and a MS in biology as well) AND just recently graduated with my BSN because after grad school for biology I decided I really, really wanted to be an RN. I did not think anything I studied in school was especially difficult. However, I did think that my science AND nursing classes were all time-consuming, due to all the exams, papers, theses, labs, clinicals, etc and because you need to put in the time to learn the concepts. I found both majors to be extremely enjoyable and that to me is exactly how you should decide what to major in-figure out what you really WANT to study and major in that. Maybe that is why I did not find either major difficult-because I love biology and love nursing so much I was really happy to be studying them and as a result I really put in the time to study both subjects well. Good luck with whatever you decide. :)
-Christine

By the way, I have been in school for a long time now (the past 10 years straight) and there was a time way back when I thought of going to medical school too. So I know all about the requirements for that. To me, if you really want to be a doctor, it does not make too much sense to go to nursing school. The reasons for this are: (1) A major in nursing does not require you to take 2 general biology classes, 2 chem classes, 2 organic chem classes, 2 physics classes and 2 calc classes that med school requires for admission and (2) you will not have extra time to take both nursing classes AND all these extra science classes. The only (usually) life/physical science classes & math classes a nursing major requires are 2 A & P classes, a microbiology class, and 2 chem classes (this depends which nursing school you are in-mine required chem 1 and chem 2). (3) There is already a REALLY LONG WAIT LIST at a lot of nursing schools. So if you do not want to be a nurse at all, please do not take someone else's spot who is really dying to be a nurse-this is not to be mean at all, I just know how hard it is to get into some nursing schools. and (4) I know from personally talking to med school reps in the recent past that after you take the required science and other pre-reqs after that you are free to major in whatever you want in college. They actually encourage you to major in whatever you want because once you are in med school, it will take up all your time and you won't have time to study anything else besides medicine.

Hope this all helps you. Like I said I have been in school forever and have several degrees in science and nursing now, and I have a great interest in career counseling too-I think I've spent so much time in academia now that it's really fun to pass my knowledge onto others. Good luck! :)

smk1, LPN · Jul 6, 2005

NO WAY! I definitely know that a BSN is really hard....I just wanted to know if it is easier compared to a BS in Biology or Chemistry.

It really depends. A bio or chem degree isn't going to be as time consuming as a BSN. First you have to be accepted into the program and then you will have clinicals which will be difficult and time consuming. Academically a Chem degree may be harder, (unless chemistry comes very easy to you.) but a BSN will require preparation for NCLEX testing after graduation if you want to actually have the option of practicing as a nurse, and it will be hard for you to concurrently take the other sciences that you will need for med school let alone study for the mcat. Most people who go this route have to do a post bac course of study to get the extras in and prepare for the mcat, this will obivously be a longer route for you to take, and there is the issue of taking a nursing school slot when you don't actually want to be a nurse. This could come up in interviews so you must have a great explanation for it. A BSN degree would be very useful, but it could also be probelmatic for the above reasons.

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 7, 2005

A BSN would have clinical obligations and time spent on careplanning----- (sometimes I was up til 2-3 a.m. and only got 3-4 hours sleep before I had to be at the hospital by 6 a.m. for my clinical shift)------these are commitments you won't have in pursuing another science degree such as chemistry or biology. Prepared to do 12-hour clinical shifts in hospitals/longterm care centers/hospice, etc? Cause that is what you face getting into nursing.

Really I would talk to someone you know who has been through nursing school, if you can. It's certainly NOT for everyone and as I said before, it's not necessary the right route to medical school/careers in medicine.

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Jul 7, 2005

I think that getting the BSN would be harder than the BS in Biology or chemistry. And you'd be better prepped for med school if you had those classes. It gives you a good background. Yeah, sure there are russian majors who are going into med school.... But, from what I remember when I was doing pre-med, you're much more competitive in the application process with a BS in a field such as Biology, chemistry. Closely related stuff is ok though. However, if you do nursing you will be so far behind the 8-Ball that you'll really kick yourself. WHy would you want to go through nursing school... (its very hard) and then go and not use it when you go straight to med school. Here's my advice. Go get your BS in Biology. Take your MCATS. Apply to med school. Go if you get in. If you don't, and you feel like you still want to try nursing, then go for it.

nev · Jul 17, 2005

so is it possible for BSN students to make 4.0 GPAs like students majoring in Biological sciences?

KAT NC · Jul 17, 2005

I was told by an instructor not to expect to keep my 4.0 in nursing school.

also was told that the 4.0ers are not necessarily their best clinical students.

We will see!

nev · Jul 17, 2005

so its not very common to see 4.0s in BSN school ,eh?

In that case, working really hard isnt going to help make a 4.0....or will it?

edcampbe · Jul 17, 2005

But, from what I remember when I was doing pre-med, you're much more competitive in the application process with a BS in a field such as Biology, chemistry.

I believe medical schools actually look for students who are well rounded. Sure you can pursue a degree in Biology like every other Joe who applies to medical school; however, what if you complete a degree in Computer Science on top of all of your medical school pre-requisites? You'll stand out above all of the other candidates because you did something different and intriguing in the eyes of the admissions board.

KAT NC · Jul 17, 2005

I look at it this way, I'm going to continue working like I have in all my classes that I've made A's in, that way I know I've done my best and the grade I get is the grade I get. But at least I know I've done all that I could possibly do to retain the information given to me. Unless, I am not understanding the material I don't see why the outcome would not be the same.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2005

I look at it this way, I'm going to continue working like I have in all my classes that I've made A's in, that way I know I've done my best and the grade I get is the grade I get. But at least I know I've done all that I could possibly do to retain the information given to me. Unless, I am not understanding the material I don't see why the outcome would not be the same.

Good attitude. There is no reason not to expect A's out of yourself if you've made A's prereqs. I didn't find nursing school any harder to get A's in than other hard classes like A&P.

There was a learning curve for me in the testing. They test NCLEX style and I wasn't used to that, and I did make one B.

The trick is not to be so hung up on grades that you sacrifice your life and your serenity and get all bent out of shape if you, gasp, make a B. There are far more important things in life than getting A's, but I'm sure you know that.

Go for the A's, expect A's, learn the stuff. Good luck to you.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2005

I was told by an instructor not to expect to keep my 4.0 in nursing school.
also was told that the 4.0ers are not necessarily their best clinical students.
We will see!

Stereotypes are wrong. To say A students aren't the best clinicians isn't fair. Granted there are A students that aren't the best clinicians and some C students are great clinicians. But visa versa is just as true.

Don't believe stereotypes. :)

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 17, 2005

Stereotypes are wrong. To say A students aren't the best clinicians isn't fair. Granted there are A students that aren't the best clinicians and some C students are great clinicians. But visa versa is just as true.
Don't believe stereotypes. :)

you need to copy and post this reply to all the threads that where people try to apply stereotypes and box others in, Tweety.

Truer words never spoken yet on this site.

It bore repeating.