BSN a must have?

Hi CNM,

I am a pre-nursing student. I will hopefully start my nursing program next school-year at UMKC. I live in the KC area. I've been here for about 5 years. The consensus seems to be that professional nursing is heading more and more toward higher education levels (ie. a BSN & now DNP by 2015 for most NP's). There are definitely still jobs for ADNs. Certain positions are stating that they require or prefer BSN nurses but there is still a job-market for ADNs. There is, however, also a certain push for Hospital Magnetization right now, and in order for a hospital to get Magnet status they have to have a certain percentage of BSN prepared nurses working for them. The thinking behind this is based on research that has identified a lower patient mortality rate associated with Bachelor prepared nurses. My guess (and this is only my deduction from what I have heard from teachers and other nurses) is that there will be a continual movement toward BSN as the base education requirement for professional nursing. (This is HUGELY controversial, however...as I'm sure you can imagine)

I have decided to get my BSN because, 1) This is my first degree and I wanted to have a Bachelor's degree (I will be the first in my family to get a degree and that is a big deal to me). 2) I want to go on to a graduate degree in nursing and this would eventually require me to obtain a BSN anyway. 3) For the cost and the time-spent in the program to get an associates (about 3 years'ish with pre-reqs included) and a BSN (about 4-years with preqreqs), I decided I wanted to do the extra time and get a bachelor's degree.

I hope some of this was helpful. :)

:stdnrsrck:

thank you for responding!

I plan on getting my bachelors right away if I go the ADN route first(rn-bsn thru KU) My ultimate goal is to be an advanced practice nurse so a MSN or DNP is the route I know I have to take.

I just wasnt sure if I would need my BSN to land that first job in a hospital. I know that KU isnt hiring ADN's because of the magnet status they have aquired, but I wasnt sure about Olathe Med, Overland Park ect..i know they arent magnet but wasnt sure what their views were on ADN vs BSN for new grads.

Im eligible to apply for a ADN program right now and start this fall..or I could wait and apply for a BSN this fall and start next fall.

Like you I will be the first of my family to have a degree..so its very important and exciting for me.

Absolutely! My pleasure. I think your plan is excellent! It's really good that you are asking these questions now. I think that shows that you're a "planner." You will be glad that you do your research as much as you can ahead of time. I know I am! Then, you'll also be able to share with others when they come to your with questions of their own. I wish you the best!! :redbeathe