BSN not worth it?

PAERRN20 · Oct 22, 2009

Yes it is worth going for a BSN. How can anyone say that furthering your education is a waste of time or money? Nothing in the world is more valuable than an education and knowledge. Those two things will get you far in life.

GilaRRT · Oct 22, 2009

Allright, so I have a few questions...I was reading about how "BSNs are often the least clinically prepared" and all that kind of jazz, so now I'm worried...is it even worth going for my bachelor's? I already have plans to do so, so I'm curious as to what you guys think. Is it worth it? It's not an issue of money - I'm covered either way.
Opinions?:heartbeat

You conclude that BSN educated nurses are the least clinically prepared based on what? Posts on Allnurses? The truth is, most nurses who graduate have rather limited clinical experience. I cannot find any solid evidence of ADN students receiving significantly better clinical experience compared to their BSN counterparts. Accredited programs must adhere to minimum guidelines regardless of the degree awarded.

I am an ADN, for the sake of disclosure.

nohika · Oct 22, 2009

I had just seen more of it around, and was curious if there was any fact to it. Thank you for clarifying. =)

GilaRRT · Oct 22, 2009

I think if you have the time and money, go for the degree. It would be unwise to pass up a BS if you have the time and money. This will open oppertunities and ensure you can do graduate work if and or when you so desire. Give yourself an edge and keep as many doors open as possible.

It's a sad day having to suffer through piles of inane classes for a BSN after you have been in the field for several years.

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2009

It used to be that diploma/ADN nurses were the best clinically prepared.

I think that disparity is gone; all the new nurses I have met lately are not well prepared and require the Versant Residency program.

Not sure that is all they will require but it is a start......

Anyway, get your BSN....

neonatal_nurse · Oct 22, 2009

I soo agree with GilaRN! You cannot generalize and conclude without any basis!

And fyi, BSN is still the way to go (not to discriminate against the other degree holders) as it takes four years to complete it, maybe just choose to go to a good school with a reputation of quality instructors and high rate of passing in the boards. For clinicals, just every chance you get in school to practice, then volunteer during your duty hours so that you can learn it with the help of your teacher.

Don't worry, you will learn more during your residency training and when you eventually become a staff nurse.

BmoreCRNP · Oct 22, 2009

I think it depends on what your long term goals are. I knew that I wanted to go on and become an NP, or possibly go to Med school. I started as an Associates degree nurse because I wanted to work and gain experience while I worked my way up the ladder. A number of my co-workers had no interest whatsoever in leaving bedside nursing, so there really was no point in going back to get a BSN in their minds. Since I did an RN-BSN bridge program my experience is a little different than those who did straight BSN programs. I personally prefer climbing the ladder. I think the work experience you gain along the way will ultimately help you in the long run.

geekgolightly, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2009

Most BSN students appear better prepared than ADN graduates in PA. I don't know how it is in the rest of the country, but here the BSN's can spend an entire semester on critical care, which is so fantastic. In Texas, I spent one week in critical care. Enough to do just about nothing. I am jealous of these BSN prepared nurses who get so much time to study critical care.

(I have an ADN)

KalipsoRed · Oct 22, 2009

I'm a BSN with 18 months experience. I can tell you that I was not prepared for what I needed to do after graduating and that was working part time as a nursing tech in a very large metropolitan hospital for 2 years prior to graduating. My school was also great about clinical hours my last semester. I had 144 hours of on the floor experience my last semester, however that is only as good as the preceptor you have is. Mine never let me have more than 2 patients because she was so afraid about being responsible for me while I took care of her patients. It got better as the hours went by, but she never ended up trusting me with a full team.

I agree with other posts that say no new RNs are really prepaired for floor nursing through RN programs today. You learn what you are suppose to do on the floor at your first job (scary huh?). If I went through it all over again this is what I would do:

1)BE A TECH! It is the closest thing that comes to being a nurse. Helps you to become familiar with hospital operations and understand the basics in patient care. If you are going to a 4 yr program then try to switch your tech experience up during the time you are in school. The responsibilities of floor techs are very different than one that works in the ER or in surgery.

2)SPEND AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE!! DO NOT be disillusioned into believing that paying for the better school will mean that you are more prepaired. Nursing school SUCKS! It is not a fair or forgiving environment in ANY college or university. The goal of school is to make sure you pass your boards not really how to teach you how to be a nurse (sounds kind of messed up, but it is true. Kind of like how schools are now teaching children to pass state exams to recieve funding instead of teaching children how to think. Think of it like this: If you are shopping for a school I bet you've been looking at the schools pass rate for the NCLEX instead of how their program is designed. Why? Because you have to pass your boards to be a nurse; knowing how to be a nurse afterward is just a bonus). I know that is sarcastic, but it is true. If you are using any sort of loans to pay for school I BEG you to take the path that will lead to you having the least amout of debt when you are done. I owe $47,000 after my BSN and I only was there for 3 years. The program was $28,000, however, I couldn't cover my monthly bills with the $600 a month I made working part time as a tech so I had to supplement with my student loans. PLEASE, PLEASE USE AS LITTLE LOANS AS POSSIBLE!!! If you decide to get your ADN at a community college (spending a lot less than I did) then you can go get a job at a hospital and get the hospital to pay for your BSN. Please be assured that the classes required for a BSN are BS compaired to the ones that you have to take to learn how to be a nurse. Most of the time it only takes a year of classes to go from ADN to BSN.

I hope that helps. Good luck.

nohika · Oct 22, 2009

Just to clarify, I was asking if there was any clinical basis or if there was any sort of factual evidence for this - I'm not assuming it's correct. Since I can, and I see soooo many job postings where I live that are "BSN preferred", I figured I'd just bite the bullet and go for my bachelor's. Of course, if I don't get accepted into any four-years (and yes, I do shop by NCLEX pass-rates!), I'll go to my community college (where I'm taking my pre-reqs.

Thank you guys so much, and if anyone else has any advice on the better schools in my state (I'm in Washington), that'd be helpful too. =)

blueheaven · Oct 22, 2009

Allright, so I have a few questions...I was reading about how "BSNs are often the least clinically prepared" and all that kind of jazz, so now I'm worried...is it even worth going for my bachelor's? I already have plans to do so, so I'm curious as to what you guys think. Is it worth it? It's not an issue of money - I'm covered either way.
Opinions?:heartbeat

If it's not an issue for you either way...GET YOUR DEGREE NOW! I'm a 52 yo who is currently back in school to get my BSN. Anything you don't get in school, you WILL get in the outside world. Nursing is about learning, you will be learning for the rest of your nursing career. So go ahead and get the paper with the BSN on it.

I cannot apply for many positions that I am qualified for because I don't have those 3 little letters after my name. Who cares if you have been working for 31 years and know the position backward and forward..."Sorry but you really have to have a BSN for that"

Good luck!