BSN or More Experience

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Three years ago I graduated from nursing school with my AD RN. Since then I have worked in LTC 5 months and the rest of the time in two different hospitals in med/surg. I am 50 years old and am contemplating going back for my BSN. I love LTC and would love to go back to them in a management roll. I don't want to do floor nursing forever and I am looking at working another 20 years and right now I need to make more money. Would going back to school pay off or should I at my age just work two jobs and make the money and forget school.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Can you work and do school at the same time? I've been in management for years without a BSN. If you really want a management position.....it's management ROLE not roll.

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You are correct, thank you, I need to proofread. Yes, I can work and go to school at the same time and the program is just 20 months but it costs a lot. Can't decide what to do.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

I say Go For It!

I'm 54 and am working on my BSN. I'll be 56 when I graduate.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
You are correct, thank you, I need to proofread. Yes, I can work and go to school at the same time and the program is just 20 months but it costs a lot. Can't decide what to do.

LOL...maybe you MEANT to say roll since you know most managers in LTC have to wear roller skates to keep up.

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU, Psych, Med-surg...etc....

I have been a nurse for 30+ years and have no BSN. I have held management and supervisory positions. I was hired for experience, not education. As far as I'm concerned my RN license is the same as a BSN's license. I have done the same procedures, managed the same units and cleaned as much poo as the BSN nurses. Now-a-days though, someplaces want the BSN in order for one to even apply for management. I am not downplaying futhering education. If you want to and can- go for it! I think that's great! Best of luck.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

I have my ADN..... have been a DON for about 10 years. I keep thinking about school but, I get where I am on my experience.

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Specializes in LTC.

To have management position in LTC, you don't need BSN, you don't even have to be RN. There are lots of middle management LPNs and DONs.

Research pay scale, because where I come from it doesn't matter if you have AD, or BS the pay is the same.

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and you took the same NCLEX. You are a Registered Nurse.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
To have management position in LTC, you don't need BSN, you don't even have to be RN. There are lots of middle management LPNs and DONs.

Research pay scale, because where I come from it doesn't matter if you have AD, or BS the pay is the same.

Again, the scope of practice all depends on the state one works in, and I don't mean the state of confusion,:D

In Massachusetts, to be an ADON or DON you MUST be an RN....you don't need a BSN, however.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS.

In Cali, most (if not all) management MUST be an RN. For DON I haven't seen one without either 20+ years exp or a BSN. and if the DON with 20+ years is retiring, they want one with 20+ years /and/ a BSN. But california is really strict on scope of practice.

I say age is not a factor. Just think, if you get your BSN now, then you have it. When you are working at 60 and you think back on it, you could have had your BSN for 5 years or so!

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