difference in degrees

[skbella]

I have a BA in psychology and I'm an RN. I'm told that this is not equivalent to a BSN. Does anyone know why they are not looked at as the same? I really don't want to return to school to get a BSN when I've already done all the general ed. courses and the associate level nursing courses. What addition courses would I be taking that I haven't already had?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

[firstinfamily, RN]

I finished my ADN in 1981 and continued on to get my BSN in 1985. Because I had my RN and had passed boards there were certain Nsg. courses I could challenge. I had to take all the science courses, my nutrition course transferred as did my Psychology courses. I was lacking the sciences to get my BSN. As far as being prepared to work in the field, my ADN was more than adequate, I had much more clinical experience than the BSN nursing students did. A BA is a Bachelors of Arts, BS is a Bachelors of Science. You need the core science courses to get your BSN, you most likely did not have them for your BA degree.

[anonomous]

Man I feel you. I have my ba in psych and an lpn lisence and no one cares about the ba. It's frustrating and feels unfair but it's the reality.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

If you have a pre existing degree and you want a BSN, why not take an accelerated second degree BSN program in the first place? Why take an ADN or LPN program post BA when it justs makes the path longer.

[guest64485]

If you have a pre existing degree and you want a BSN, why not take an accelerated second degree BSN program in the first place? Why take an ADN or LPN program post BA when it justs makes the path longer.

Its generally much cheaper to get an associates than get an Accelerated BSN.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

It is generally much cheaper to do career due diligence before undertaking one education program, never mind completing two education programs without checking the career options first.

[guest64485]

Many hospitals offer financial programs to assist RNs towards getting their BSN.

[wheeliesurfer]

Just because a person is "more educated" does not mean they are "more knowledgeable" about their field of practice. Although the OP has a BA in Psych it does not mean that his/her schooling in Psych will make him/her a more competent RN. I could have gone to school for a BA in Performing Arts and then found out that my degree was worthless unless I went back to school to be a drama teacher or something similar, and decided to then change career paths to become an RN. My BA combined with my ADN might make me "more educated" in the fact that I went to college for a longer time than someone with a BSN, but the BSN would be "more knowledgeable" as an entry level nurse.

I could be be completely off base, but onthewaytoCRNA might be a bit bitter that their BA doesn't count towards a BSN because with the way the economy is now, many hospitals are only hiring BSN prepared nurses. He/she probably wants to get into an ICU PRONTO so that they can gain the required for application to CRNA schools, and is now bitter because they have to take a few extra classes (and use extra money and time than they expected) to get the required experience and degree necessary for their CRNA. Just my .02 (and again, I could be way out in left field).