BSN not worth it?

ellakate · Oct 22, 2009

Nursing school was so much fun that I did it twice. My first program was a hospital school of nursing, RN only. Several years later, I earned a BSN. The BSN doesn't make me a better nurse, but it gives me more choices. There is immense wisdom in all of the posts, so see what works for you. :specs:

mich321 · Oct 22, 2009

I agree with the previous comments regarding clinical hours and experience....I think it varies by school and instructor, not necessarily by degree. In addition, I think clinical experiences are what the student makes them to be. For example, when I was in school there were 2 types of students:

1. Students who showed up late to clinical days, asked to leave early, whined about having to help with patient care, disappeared from the floor randomly during the day. Did the absolute minimum amount of work necessary to not be dismissed from the program.

2. Students who showed up on time, ready to learn, sought out experiences, and asked questions.

These people all graduated with the same degree, but I'm willing to bet some were a bit better prepared! Nursing school really doesn't prepare you for the 'real world' of nursing though.

By the way, I have a BSN......and I didn't feel very confident or prepared when I started working.....many days I still don't!

JustMe · Oct 22, 2009

The difference between an ADN graduate and a BSN graduate is the degree. The training is virtually the same since these graduates need to pass the same NCLEX. Yes, some jobs are requiring a BSN, but they want you to have the degree. I tell my ADN students that they can still get into the military, they just won't be working as an RN until they have their degree. BUT they can still moonlight as an RN because they have a license. And I recommend that they return to school if they ever become bored or burned out. Continuing my education has saved my career--I highly recommend it!

Just my :twocents:

Otessa, BSN, RN · 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

Not all programs are created equal. You can't compare one BSN program to another-even in the same town or state. I have a BSN and an awesome clinical experience at my school-one of the reasons I chose it over others.

For me, a BSN has opened doors and I have had job offers that may not have been offered if I did not have a BSN.

Otessa

parfum · 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.

i just wanted to say thank you for posting this. being pressured to go directly into a bsn programme was the only thing i'd been facing, but now i am thinking of looking into PCT just to get my toe in the water and see if i like it. thanks again. :loveya: