BSN not worth it?

rngolfer53 · Oct 22, 2009

The way the world is going, and not just in nursing, bachelor degrees are becoming the entry level requirement for many jobs, and I think RN will be one of those before long. A MSN will probably be a requirement for many jobs in a few years. To get there, a BSN is a starting point.

I'm not suggesting judgment on BSN or ADN programs, as good and bad nurses can come out of either.

If life circumstances allow you to get a BSN now, I think you should do it.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Oct 22, 2009

I think it depends on the person and what you want. If you have the money and time for the BSN, why not?

However, I graduated from an ADN program and I feel I got a good education..I'm going for my BSN now but I'm doing it because I may want to pursue an advance degree in nursing(ie NP, CRNA etc). If I didn't have these plans, I'm not sure I'd bother. My facility doesn't pay you any more to have the BSN and many of our supervisors don't have their BSN either.

kbm318 · Oct 22, 2009

I think it all depends on the school as to the amount of clinical experience you recieve. I know of diploma/ADN schools with over 1300 clinical hours and some BSN schools with only around 900. so I think it's what you personally prefer. I'm personally getting a diploma then BSN because I want the clinicals I'm more of a hands on learner so that's what best would fit me. I also think though if you plan on going past your BSN go the cheapest way possible. Nothing is worse than tons of stundent loans trust me I know haha. Good luck

OC_An Khe · Oct 22, 2009

Remember also that almost half of all potential RN employment is not in direct patient care in the hospital setting or in the hospital at all for that matter. A BSN is a definite plus when it comes to nursing positions that are not at the bedside. Also there are some hospitals that are only hiring BSN prepared RNs.

RNperdiem, RN · Oct 22, 2009

Schools measure passing rates on NCLEX. Quality of educational/clinical experience is difficult to measure.

If you are young and have the money or someone else is paying, go for the BSN.

prinsessa · Oct 22, 2009

I would be careful to not just look for the school with the highest NCLEX rates. All the NCLEX rates show is how many of the students who were allowed to graduate passed the NCLEX. There are several schools around me that have 99% NCLEX pass rates. I have heard students complain that the reason the NCLEX rates are so high is because a lot of people either drop out of the program (because it is too hard) or weren't even allowed to take the NCLEX because they couldn't pass the HESI. I'm not saying to go to a school with low NCLEX pass rates but just be aware that NCLEX pass rates can be misleading. Good luck in school!

fiveofpeep · Oct 22, 2009

I found some evidence for you:

Outcomes Study Makes A Case
For The Entry-Level BSN
Hospitals with large numbers of nurses with bachelor's (or
advanced) degrees have lower mortality rates than facilities
with few RNs at that education level, a new study suggests.
After examining data from more than 232,000 surgical
patients at 168 hospitals, University of Pennsylvania School of
Nursing researchers reported that a 10% increase in the pro-
portion of nurses with BSNs is associated with a 5%
decrease in postop mortality.
At facilities where less than 10% of the nurses had bache-
lor's degrees, the death rate among patients who underwent
oommon general, orthopedic, and vascular surgeries was
nearly 3%. That compares with a death rate of 1.5% at hospi-
tals where more than 70% of the nursing staff had four-year
degrees. Raising the proportion of bedside nurses with BSNs
from 20% to 60% could save four lives per every 1,000
patients undergoing such procedures, the researchers calcu-
late, About 45% of hospital nurses have bachelor's degrees,
according to the Department of Health and Human Services

consistent link: http://mcc1.library.csulb.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=2004018529&site=ehost-live

source: RN (RN), 2003 Nov; 66(11): 14, 53, 82-3

I've also heard that magnet status came about by looking at studies from Beth Israel and some New Jersey hospital that had mostly BSN nurses which lead to higher retention and better patient outcomes.

My mom is an ADN nurse and she is a fantastic nurse. I dont really think there is a difference, but I do feel the need to stand up for my degree (BSN) when people rag on it...just like I do when people rag on ADNs.

Oh and PS I also noticed that BSNs are being asked for more and more in the "required/recommended" section of job apps for new grad jobs in this tough economy.

CuriousMe · Oct 22, 2009

I think it all depends on the school as to the amount of clinical experience you recieve. I know of diploma/ADN schools with over 1300 clinical hours and some BSN schools with only around 900. so I think it's what you personally prefer. I'm personally getting a diploma then BSN because I want the clinicals I'm more of a hands on learner so that's what best would fit me. I also think though if you plan on going past your BSN go the cheapest way possible. Nothing is worse than tons of stundent loans trust me I know haha. Good luck

I think it does depend on the program much more than the kind of program (diploma/ADN/BSN). I'm in a BS program that has right around 1300 hrs of clinicals.

Research the programs in your area.

Peace,

CuriousMe

tvccrn, ASN, RN · Oct 22, 2009

FWIW, I'm ADN and am looking for a new position. All the ones I want I'm qualified for except the BSN. And all of them have gone with people who are more "qualified" meaning they have their BSN.

I will be returning to get my BSN in the spring, so if I were you I would get it right off.

Tweety, BSN, RN · 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. =)

I think it depends on the BSN program how clinically prepared you are. There are also ADN programs around that don't prepare nurses clinically. In the old days it might have been true that BSNs didn't get as much clinicals, but they have since improved and there are minimum requirements by the NLN for clinical hours. However, the myth survives that "BSNs are paper pushers and ADNs get more clinical time".

Best of luck to you!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 22, 2009

I don't think it's so much the degree program that's a factor, as it is the school itself. I've seen both ADN and BSN students come through for clinicals and were fantastic...and then I've also seen both ADN and BSN students come through that were train wrecks. So research the schools themselves and see how many clinical hours are required for their programs. Then talk to actual students (current or graduated) from these programs and see what they do in clinicals--you want to know how much is "hands-on" and how much is observing. That is the best way to find out how much experience you'll get.

If you have done your homework and found yourself a BSN program where you know you'll get a good amount of clincial preparation...by all means, go straight for the degree if you can!

Susan82 · Oct 22, 2009

In my community we have 3 nursing programs. 1 ADN and 2 BSN. The ADN program that I attend has a higher Board pass rate and a lower tuition than the other 4 year schools. ADN programs in general have higher board pass rates than BSN programs across the counry. BSN is good but I am going for mine after I complete an ADN program. Learn Nursing first then complete your education.