BSN's vs. Community college

biting my tongue

bite away

Hello all!

This thread is almost 3 years old.

Please everyone, let the dead horse lie.

:deadhorse

I say we declare this horse a DNR.

seems the OP was a troll anyway

just popped in to get others going

Look how great it worked, shame.

my personal experience is that the ADN nurse is much more clinically prepared than the BSN nurse. The BSN nurse spends time in classes that really aren't necessary and less time in the clinical areas. I think it's great to further your education, however. I think we should focus on the ability to care for our patients rather than the degree in which we have. There are nurses ADN as well as BSN, MSN that are extremely incompetent. The person who said we all take the same NCLEX exam said it beautifully...I'd rather have a clinically prepared ADN nurse on my unit anyday....and I'm a BSN who began as an ADN..and, by the way, there are tons of ADN nurses in managerial positions...and they are there because they are excellent clinical nurses who know how to take care of the patients in their units if they have to....

my personal experience is that the ADN nurse is much more clinically prepared than the BSN nurse. The BSN nurse spends time in classes that really aren't necessary and less time in the clinical areas. I think it's great to further your education, however. I think we should focus on the ability to care for our patients rather than the degree in which we have. There are nurses ADN as well as BSN, MSN that are extremely incompetent. The person who said we all take the same NCLEX exam said it beautifully...I'd rather have a clinically prepared ADN nurse on my unit anyday....and I'm a BSN who began as an ADN..and, by the way, there are tons of ADN nurses in managerial positions...and they are there because they are excellent clinical nurses who know how to take care of the patients in their units if they have to....

That really isn't the experience here.

The difference between the ADN's and BSNs are more than just a few unnecessary courses. BSNs take more detailed assessment classes, patho-pharm, community health, research, etc. They also receive the exact same amount of clinical time that the ADNs do.

They both come to the beside after graduation equally prepared to practice at a beginning level and I wouldn't care which one was my unit. I have precepted both.

It also depends on the hospital and the area whether or not ADNs advance into management positions. I'm locked out of many positions in my hospital because I don't have a BSN. However, there are students in my RN to BSN class that have high managment and director level positions. The ADN didn't hinder them at all.

Just wanted to post another perspective from your experience.

In my community college program most of us were 2nd career students who already have advanced degrees in many different fields so we have taken the HARDER courses. We also have LIFE experience that does not come with a BSN. The decision to go to a community college is usually based on several variables. These programs are wonderful and do prepare RNs for the workforce-just look at the base rates compared to rates for BSN programs- no difference in my state.

Wow... CottonCandy could you please call the CC I am attending and tell them they are supose to be paying ME to go to school??? Cause I have already given them about 9,000.00 and still have about another 4,000 to give up. Thanks... the number is 603-555-1212 I am sure like the rest of us they will have a good laugh AT you and your ideas!

swtooth

I think I offer a slightly different perspective on this issue since I was in a BSN program- one yr from graduating and then dropped out to have a baby. the courses were hard and the tuition was more. Then when my baby was 3 I started a ADN program. The 2 are TOTALLY different and in ways that cotton candy probably would't understand. The demographics of the students in both programs were completely different. ADN programs offer a nursing education in a more condenced form and without all the BS classes to take. Also- community collegeallows non tradional students to seek their degrees- people working full time, or with kids to raise. Not everyone does things the same and so I think that pay should be determined by pt care and NOT how many letters are behind your name. I work with some real crotchety nurses with their BSNs and some super sweet gals from ADN programs. If it were your daddy in the bed would you rather have self rightous BSN nurse or sweet suzy????

I am a nursing student and I really don't care what I make as long as I can pay off my student loans and support my kids before school I was a cashier at a gas station making $8.00 an hour. I am new here and think that everyone who wants to become a nurse and devote their lives to helping people deserves an equal amount of credit regardless of education. (By the way I am working on my BSN and by the time I am done will have amounted about $30,000 in student loans) I think that pay should come with experience, as well as things like evaluations (meaning what do patients think of your bedside manner, etc. because I have known some not so nice nurses in my time who seem like they are only in it for the paycheck, not that all of them are by any means) regardless of the letters behind your name. Being a nurse is not about status how many nurses do you know that have a household name? Not many. I can name more celebrities than I can nurses...haha. Maybe for nurses that want more advanced degrees though and more recognition, the upper level positions should be judged on experience as well as education. That's just my opinion.

Got tired of biting my own tongue a bit. Tell ya what, you come back here after getting at least (minimum) a years worth of RN experience, and re-read your post, and tell us all how honest it is. But hey, maybe you are the exception. Nobody gets into this business just for the money, but to say money isn't a factor... well, perhaps not if you don't actually need any (i.e., you are independently wealthy or married to someone who is). I once told a boss: "This isn't a hobby, its a job. I don't work for free." That should sum it up pretty well, I think. I love the idealistic views though (especially the patients' evaluation on your bedside manner. But anyway, hey, good luck with all of that :)

In any case, I'll side with SuzyRN. As one who went back in my mid to late thirties to change careers and get into nursing, BSN wasn't an option -not financially by any stretch of the imagination, and not course/time wise. I had to keep my full-time job while going to school at night (bank wouldn't let me take a big multi-year break on paying the mortgage -and we won't eveng go into detail about the other bills and requirements of everyday life).

Had a teacher once tell me (in the ADN prgram at the local CC) that it was unreasonable to expect to keep a full-time job AND go to school full time. My response to her was "is it reasonable for you to expect to get paid? I don't live with mommy and daddy. Too old to go back home while I go to school."

I did finish. I'm an RN. I'm downright proud of that -even though its not a BSN. Will I bridge the gap and get my 4 yr degree? Eventually, yes. But it (like everything else) will be nothing more than a means to an end. In any case, I'll take an experienced ADN over an inexperienced BSN any day of the week.

In any case, I'll take an experienced ADN over an inexperienced BSN any day of the week.

I pretty much agreed with you until this last sentence, which I don't necessarily disagree with but has me scratching my head thinking "huh??? what's the point?".

I'll take an experienced BSN over an experienced ADN anyday. I'll also take an experienced ADN over and inexperienced ADN as well. I'll even take an experienced BSN over an inexperienced BSN.

Not to flame, but I'm not following your point. Are you mearly saying experience is the great equalizer as far as degrees go? This is true.

re-read the last part. I said I'd take an EXPERIENCED ADN over an INexperienced BSN. To me, experience counts for quite a bit. Now, all things being equal, of course I'd take the one with the most education (who wouldnt? )

:)

You had me going a bit there. Lost my glasses (came off while riding -and no point in going back when they come off the face at highway speeds on the interstate. Won't get my new ones for another few days yet (sigh). I can still see, just not as well as I'd like (grin)