BSN's vs. Community college

Oh, just when you think you've met all the small minded snobs another one comes along.

I'm not sure how my saying I wouldn't want to work for a unit manager who only has one year of experience makes me small minded.

i only read the first 2-3 replies, there is no point in arguing this with an obviuos nursing neophite who will face a LOT of growing pains. another thread that should be locked.

sjrn85-perhaps writer not calling you a snob, perhaps a jab at persons-and they do exist-who only think that BSN and above are quality nurses. This statement by me does not only mean OP, but anyone who carries this attitude. Anyone who passes boards-and we all take the same NCLEX test-is deserving of the title nurse, and we should all be grateful of the differences among us-educational levels, personalities, and specialties-and just appreciate each other:wink2:

Your right! I never looked at the date of the first post. I had never seen it before so assumed it was a fresh post. This is a ridiculous thread that should be put to bed and forgotten.

Very interesting. . . I have been an ADN for 1 1/2 years after 3 years of LPN. I have thought about persuing a BSN because it would be a step closer to MSN where there is more money. I then realized how much money I would add to my student loans. How many years would it take of a pay raise to equal the added debt? And then I realized that I learn more everyday, every hour of working than I would probably learn about true life nursing in 2+ years of school. I am new to the Emergency Dept. and I am "awed" everyday. Most things can't be taught in nursing school. And I agree, WE ALL DESERVE MORE MONEY.

I believe the BSN vs. ADN debate is of more interest lately. The advantage of a BSN used to be that you had the advantages of management and some different job opportunities whereas the ADN was a bedside level nurse. This has changed...I have had some ADN managers in the past few years. So, it raises the question why even bother with a BSN?

However, why go to a "2-year" program which is taking 3-4 to complete? Is this because the psych, chemistry and anatomy and physiology requirements are so much greater than an ADN?

I would have to say that looking at the BSN completion program requirements, this would be the easiest way to go. The traditional BSN program has many more prerequisites, which in my program from 1992, had 95% to do with obtaining my BSN. Lots of science and psych/sociology. Needed??? All I know is it prepared me for many things, enhanced my critical thinking and ability to look at multi-system issues. However, I also felt it should be a 5 year program when I graduated.

I do believe that in every program you will have a great nurse and a bad nurse despite their educational level. I also see some BSN programs which suffer and some ADN programs which suffer.

Years ago an LPN was a 2 year program, now an RN can be a 2 year degree and an LPN is a 1 year program. The most effective program which gets the least acknowledgement and respect is the 3year diploma RN. An ADN can go into management but not a diploma? Something's wrong with this.

However, since I've been in this field (1990), I have seen a general decline in the preparation of nurses...knowledge base, skills level and desire to care and advocate for the patient. At times this is appaling to me! I have witnessed this as I mentor student and new RN's, whether ADN or BSN prepared. Is this due to the lack of educators? The need to push nurses through?

examples: no aspiration prior to an IM injection; not looking up medications prior to giving something never heard of; refusing to do personal cares; not being alarmed when there's a sustained vtach on the monitor; talking to mom while a pale and struggling 13 yo has an asthmatic attack. These things scare me!!

This general decrease is quality I've witnessed is insulting to those of us who pride ourselves in being GOOD RN's, despite all the crap going on in healthcare. I wonder, will this only add to the general lack of respect given to RN's in the workplace???? It really is a disheartening trend...

The sole reason I am currently pursuing a RN-BSN crossover is because I need it to get my masters (Which is required for what I wish to do) not the pay or status. I dont think there is a big difference in responsibility is there?

Hi all.

I just wanted to say that nurses with BSN's in my opinion should be paid more, and have preference in the hiring process. In community college they basically pay you to go, and at a University, you take on soooo many student loans. The upper division classes are much more difficult at a University and I truly feel it's unfair to group the two (BSN, and community) together. It's completley different. I have heard that there are some states that requrire a BSN if that's true, I think it's great.

Bye for now.

OMG! I'm really gonna bite my tongue here! LOL You have your nerve. Coming from a current ADN student you need to get your facts straight also. I don't know where you heard BSN students take a different state NCLEX! Here in CO atleast all RN students take the same boards and you know what? Two year students have consistently done better on them than four year students. I think the two year RN program is great. There is a lot of wasted time and coursework in the BSN program hence money too. Sounds like someone is bitter that they spent all that money when they could have spent half the time and half the money in a two year program. Everyone has student loans so dont' sit there and wine because you think you should get paid more.

I believe the BSN vs. ADN debate is of more interest lately. The advantage of a BSN used to be that you had the advantages of management and some different job opportunities whereas the ADN was a bedside level nurse. This has changed...I have had some ADN managers in the past few years. So, it raises the question why even bother with a BSN?

However, why go to a "2-year" program which is taking 3-4 to complete? Is this because the psych, chemistry and anatomy and physiology requirements are so much greater than an ADN?

I would have to say that looking at the BSN completion program requirements, this would be the easiest way to go. The traditional BSN program has many more prerequisites, which in my program from 1992, had 95% to do with obtaining my BSN. Lots of science and psych/sociology. Needed??? All I know is it prepared me for many things, enhanced my critical thinking and ability to look at multi-system issues. However, I also felt it should be a 5 year program when I graduated.

I do believe that in every program you will have a great nurse and a bad nurse despite their educational level. I also see some BSN programs which suffer and some ADN programs which suffer.

Years ago an LPN was a 2 year program, now an RN can be a 2 year degree and an LPN is a 1 year program. The most effective program which gets the least acknowledgement and respect is the 3year diploma RN. An ADN can go into management but not a diploma? Something's wrong with this.

However, since I've been in this field (1990), I have seen a general decline in the preparation of nurses...knowledge base, skills level and desire to care and advocate for the patient. At times this is appaling to me! I have witnessed this as I mentor student and new RN's, whether ADN or BSN prepared. Is this due to the lack of educators? The need to push nurses through?

examples: no aspiration prior to an IM injection; not looking up medications prior to giving something never heard of; refusing to do personal cares; not being alarmed when there's a sustained vtach on the monitor; talking to mom while a pale and struggling 13 yo has an asthmatic attack. These things scare me!!

This general decrease is quality I've witnessed is insulting to those of us who pride ourselves in being GOOD RN's, despite all the crap going on in healthcare. I wonder, will this only add to the general lack of respect given to RN's in the workplace???? It really is a disheartening trend...

Unfortunately this is not just with nursing. College graduates in all fields are stepping out of college unprepared for the workforce. I've seen it even in fields like medicine. I personally think that a lot of nurses enter the field unprepared due to the lack of clinical time and practice. This has nothing to do with what program you are in because I hear 4 year students complain they don't feel they've gotten enough hands on experience or clinical time. Whos' to blame for that? Id' say the hospitals. It's very hard for schools to get clinical time let alone find enough nurses really willing to nurture students one on one. Hospital is a business nowadays like everything even college. Having a bunch of nurses trying to nurture students on the hospitals dime is bad for business and one instructor to 8 or 9 students is not very practical to facilitate great learning and practice.

Crappy RN's are crappy nurses regardless of education. The worst and most useless RN in my unit has an MSN.

omg! i'm really gonna bite my tongue here! lol you have your nerve. coming from a current adn student you need to get your facts straight also. i don't know where you heard bsn students take a different state nclex! here in co atleast all rn students take the same boards and you know what? two year students have consistently done better on them than four year students. i think the two year rn program is great. there is a lot of wasted time and coursework in the bsn program hence money too. sounds like someone is bitter that they spent all that money when they could have spent half the time and half the money in a two year program. everyone has student loans so dont' sit there and wine because you think you should get paid more

she didn't say they took different boards, just that some states require a bsn as entry-north dakota used to be one, but they reverted to help end the nursing shortage (correct me if i'm wrong, just what i've heard), and i hear new york is looking into this issue, as well as indiana (which directly effects most of my coworkers), and probably a few others. i know some individual facilities are making it a requirement for magnet nursing......my thought, there really isn't a simple answer to this debate of cc vs bsn-been there/done that, had more fun and learned more as far as pt care in cc, bsn mobility program okay, just a little more spread thin as most of us balancing careers, families, and all the other fun stuff of life

as far as paid more: the asns in my facility are currently making the same $$ as bsns with same experience, which doesn't bother me in the least-but, in fields like business and some mechanical/technology fields, the more education, the higher the $$ starting out, and experience gives even more money. no easy answers there either