for BSN students

Agnus · Jul 11, 2003

You never said why you are unhappy with your current program. Understand that could shed some light on how to answer your question.

I do not want to get into the ol' ADN vs BSN they both have their mirits.

Keep in mind it is not necessairly wether it is ADN or BSN. Some ADN schools are better than others and Some BSN are better than others. Lets face it every school has its individual personality so to speak.

If you are merely finding school hard. Welcome to the real world of nursing.

PennyNickelDime_RN · Jul 11, 2003

I am going for my BSN but originally wanted to do the ADN. In my area unfortunately, you can get into the courses but there is a waiting list for clinicals until January 2006. With that in mind, I had already taken some college credits which transferred so I will get my BSN before I could finish up the ADN.

I have no clue if one is better than the other to be honest. I think it really depends on the school and what they have to offer.

KristinWW · Jul 12, 2003

I think it depends on your individual situation. Access is so limited now that we can't be picky. For those who already have a BS, like me, it's probably easier to get into another BS program.

New CCU RN · Jul 12, 2003

Originally posted by KristinWW
I think it depends on your individual situation. Access is so limited now that we can't be picky. For those who already have a BS, like me, it's probably easier to get into another BS program.

This is quite true. A friend of mine is pondering becoming a nurse, they already have a bachelors in a different field. I did a little research to help them out, and it turns out it would take 16 months (jammed into 5 semesters) for them to get the BSN thanks to accelerated bachelors programs while it will take over two years closer to three to get the ADN.

As far as which one is better, I personally felt very well educated and prepared in my BSN program. I had tons and tons of clinical time over 2000 hrs, have a good background, and was able to enter an ICU as a new grad and now a little over a year later feel like a competent ICU nurse. I plan on furthering my education and becoming a CRNA in the future and so BSN made the most sense for me.

As far as the BSN vs ADN debate, I don't think that it was the intent of this thread to even go there. I think that the poster was asking the benefits of a BSN education. This board gets very testy when titles get brought up and honestly, sometimes it gets a little overboard... people should be able to discuss the benefits of each route without feeling like it is a personal attack.

shirleyTX · Jul 12, 2003

I just finished my last pre-req for the BSN program which starts in Aug. In my class, at a CC there were other students starting their ADN program in the fall also. They were very intelligent and did very well in our class(microbiology). If I could have done it again, I would have gotten my ADN first and got the experience while working towards my BSN. So I could have applied for graduate studies sooner.

NurseHolly79 · Jul 13, 2003

Not to throw a wrench in the gear but......I went to a diploma program and found it worked best for me. I had three years of schooling got my diploma in nursing and my general assoicates alongside it. I have one more year and then I will have my BSN. But I'm taking time off for me!. I love nursing and how flexible it can be. But you know the real schooling starts on the floor. :-)

essarge · Jul 13, 2003

When I decided to go back to school to get my nursing degree I did quite a bit of research on ADN v. BSN. In my area, the clinical hours required for ADN and BSN were very close as were the clinical sites. The big difference was in the pre-req's and the actual nursing courses required. In the BSN program, besides med/surg, maternity, mental health, and pediatrics etc., there were requirements for statistics/research, community health, and also critical care. Where the ADN program did not have these requirements.

The time line for an ADN was at least three years and the BSN could be done in three years also (going during the summer semesters to do basic ed requirements).

This research that I did along with personal factors (age, ability to go into fields requiring a BSN, etc) were the reason that I chose to get my BSN.

My best advice is to research and find out the pro's and con's of what you want to do with your career, what is required at each school, personal requirements and how much time is involved.

As far as clincal skills (just taking into consideration the area that I live), ADN and BSN are required to have the same basic nursing skills.....this includes entry level nursing at any facility. I do not agree that one is better than the other and ALL levels are needed to give good nursing care to the population....no matter what level of nursing education you choose.

EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2003

Originally posted by szccdw
Can you tell me more of what you do in the 4 year programs. I've been told there is more concentration on administrative duties than clinical, more papers to write and not enough hands on. Can you please give me your opinions. Thank you.

It's like this, we take our pre-reqs which include everything from Art and Society to Pathophysiology. Than we go into nursing school for the next 2 years where you study pediatrics, obstetrics, medical/ surgical, psychiatric, and leadership. If you believe what you've been told that there is more concentration on administrative duties than clinical you are in for a surprise. However, we do cover the administrative side the last semester during leadership. Your 16 hours/ semester of nursing school will be more like 32 in reality. But you will be a good novice nurse and a well rounded individual come graduation. And after you have grown tired of a certain area of nursing you can take your BSN back to grad. school and get a shiney new degree.

p.s. the best way to get good hands on experience is to graduate and become a nurse. :)

54xstar · Dec 25, 2003

Originally posted by nursbee04
"BSN students get the best education"

I'm sorry, but I didn't like that post. To say that BSN's get the "best education" is like saying that BSN's are the best nurses. Maybe you didn't mean it in that way, but that's how it sounds. As for ADN being the harder road, maybe it is to you, but not everyone can afford a BSN education right off. I am currently in an ADN program on an academic scholarship, and plan on getting a job as an RN, then working towards my BSN. This was the easiest path FOR ME.

sczccdw - from what I hear in my area, there is really not that much of a difference in clinical time. Maybe you should contact the Dean of Nursing at the school and let her/him help you with your concerns.

No flame intended here

:smokin: I gree

54xstar · Dec 25, 2003

I thought of it:

P-makes perfect.

NYCRN16 · Dec 25, 2003

I am not about to get into the BSN/ADN debate, as I work with nurses who are prepared both ways, and unless they told me they were BSN/ADN I would never know it. What I am going to say is based on nurses who are new grads. RN's with experience who are ADN/BSN/diploma, they are a horse of a different color. Whether or not you go to a BSN or ADN program is a personal choice, and whether or not it will effect your job opportunities depends on what you want to do, and where you are. In areas where they dont offer many or any BSN programs are not going to "care" as much whether you are BSN/ADN, as places where there are many programs might be a little more selective. If a hospital you are applying to is affiliated with a BSN program they may prefer BSN's, they may not give preference. In this area (NYC and metro area) some of the major hospitals are stating in thier ads that they "prefer" BSN grads, and some specialty areas are requiring BSN for entry level. Some hospitals do not require/prefer it. It all depends.

I do not agree with the fact that BSN programs are mainly management and we dont get as many clinical hours. Our program just increased thier hours last year and are increasing them again. We have more hours than any program in this area. Does this mean we are better prepared for starting a new job? I dont think clinical time in ANY program really prepares you for life as a new nurse. You learn when you start working. Yes you learn basic skills, but working under the safety net of your instructors and fellow students is not the same as being out there on your own. We touched upon management in school, but there is not much time devoted to it, as there are more important things like med-surg/OB/peds/community/psych to deal with.

No matter what you decide to do, there will be state boards to pass and plenty of jobs out there waiting for you. Good luck!

mitchsmom · Dec 25, 2003

Here are the exact course titles in my Florida BSN program, in order through the program:

Fall 1-Pathophysiology, Assessment, Rural/Cultural, Shaping Healthcare in 21st Century (was a class that all health majors take, we learned about health systems, insurance, blah blah - the classes like this, that all health majors take (as opposed to a core nursing class) I'll label as "IHS". Even though they are IHS classes, all BSN people have to take them as well as the core NUR classes.

-Spring 1- Chemical, Herbal (aka Pharmacology), Caring Scholar I, Vulnerable Populations, Issues Based Care (those last two include med-surg, nursing home & psych)

Summer 1- Crisis Based Care, Management & Leadership (IHS), Colloquim (this is some thing everyone at our school has to take to graduate)

Fall 2-Special Populations (aka OB & Peds), Nursing Elective, Challenge & Shaping, Research Methods (IHS)

Spring 2-Nursing/Health Elective, Community, Caring Scholar II, Practice Elective (clinicals are commonly called 'practice' at our school), Senior Seminar (IHS)

Hope that's helpful.