Difference in dregrees and licensures

live4today, RN · Mar 12, 2002

Yes, we as women need to continue to voice our concerns in regards to our career as nurses, but we definitely need to "tone down" the way we approach one another when trying to come to an understanding of one another's opinions so that we can really "hear" what one another is saying. Jumping back and forth with this degree being better than that degree is not accomplishing anything. Sharing is one thing, throwing our degrees and certifications back and forth at one another is quite another.

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"Be aware that a halo has to fall only a few inches to be a choking noose around one's precious neck."-- Dan McKinnon (with a few extra choice words from my own philosophy)

Q. · Mar 12, 2002

Thank you JMP. Sometimes when all I hear is negativity, it makes me think that perhaps there is no hope for nursing and that I might as well go into real estate. But the occasional words of support from fellow nurses, like yourself, make me feel better.

So.. hear that folks??? I AGREE with JMP!

fergus51 · Mar 12, 2002

I am with Suzy, education is important. An instructor once told me that 10 years of experience doesn't mean anything if it is just the same year of experience 10 times over. It's the theoretical education that helps make the experience something enriching. I think nurses in general really downplay the importance of education. I have never heard a doctor or an engineer say they shouldn't have had to waste so much time in school.

JMP, I am in BC and we're doing the same thing almost. Our LPN prgrams aren't changing to my knowledge, but the RN programs are. It isn't a really huge issue. Before it went through, the diploma and BSN prgrams were the same until the third year when diploma grads left and BSN students stayed for another year. Now the diploma students just don't have the option of bridging out. I have an instructor friend who told me out of their class of 60, they haven't had more than 6 bridge out in the last 5 years anyways. I think this will benefit nurses in the future.

mattsmom81 · Mar 12, 2002

My experience is many females have not learned to integrate their femininity with women's lib! As a result, I see many become 'aggressive' and never learn 'assertive'.

I agree with the premise that an organized movement of bedside nurses could accomplish great things...and I believe this is what UAN is attempting. Most anti nurse legislation I see originates from AHA, AANE, and AMA lobbying efforts. Sure wish we could pick up the pace and outshout these powerful groups.:)

RNed · Mar 12, 2002

Nursing is fractured into many pieces. We have "nurse" in labels from Nurse Practioner to Certified Nurses Aide. It is little wonder that nursing can not speak with one unified voice.

Just a few: Nurse Practioner, Registered Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Licensed Pratical Nurse, Nursing Assistant and Certified Nurses Aide. This is not to mention all the lay people working within a Doctor's Office, who do not clarify to the patient, they hold no license and only assist the Doctor under his directions and allow patients to incorrectly identify them as nurse.

When society thinks of nurse, they think of all those who have "nurse" in the title. Society is confused because we are confused.

Why should they, we have failed to educate society and continue to bicker among ourselves about the ADN vs. BSN. We go so far as to continue fracturing the Registered Nurse into Certifications such as CCRN, IV Certified, etc, etc.

The list will be endless. I am not agaisnt these certification, I use the example just to demonstrate we continue to divide ourselves and then ask the question, " Why do we seem unable to unite".

MQ Edna · Mar 12, 2002

This thread, and the threads that view the different "caring" if not always actual "nursing" elements of healthcare, are so interesting to me. I jumped through lots of hoops on my way through the different phases of my professional development (I won't say 'levels', as in one being "higher" because each contributed to my personal growth). I went from CNA (back in the pre-glove days-gave lots of bare-handed enemas!) to LVN (LPN to non-Texans) to BSN to MSN/CNS. I've taught in a BSN and a diploma program (one of the few still left), which both produced outstanding nurses. I still love working with patients, as well as with staff of all levels. I've had my butt saved by the observational skills of a CNA, worked side-by-side with another LVN in an ICU, and been fortunate to have learned from outstanding colleagues with an alphabet-soup of titles behind their names. I agree that our professional diversity has made it difficult for us to unite into one politically-strong voice to save ourselves. Where we do unite, as educators, bedside caregivers, managers, or wherever our professional paths have led us, is in wanting the best for those whose care is our responsibility. I think it is that concern that has made us a political force to be reckoned with, perhaps in spite of ourselves. (IMHO:)

semstr · Mar 13, 2002

Since we "only"have the diploma-education here (takes 3 years) and a nursing- aide one (takes one year), can't really discuss about the others.

I do know though that the first university trained nurses are getting out next year after 4 years of lots and lots of theory and just a few hours of practise and we are all very anxious to see what and how they will be working on the wards.

of course they won't work with us diploma-nurses side by side, since they go right to the top of the management and/ or education.

Ah well, we'll see!!

Take care, Renee

fergus51 · Mar 13, 2002

It doesn't have to be that way Renee. My four year BSN had more clinical time than the diploma, and I NEVER want to go into mangement or teaching (four years of school was enough for me! I can't imagine teaching like you:))

lever5 · Mar 14, 2002

If all the nurses that frequent this board; decided to unite around one idea, it would become reality. Absolutley, without a doubt. There is endless power in one idea that is supported by many.

semstr · Mar 14, 2002

No it is planned that way. They study to go into management or education.

And I know fo a fact that their clinical hours are 200 med/surg, 200 OB/Gan, 200 Geriatrics and 100 Healthcare/ Homecare.

Not really much in 4 years!! In the diploma-thing we've got more then double!

Teaching is fun! (weeeellllll, not on friday afternoon, from 1-5pm, like I have to do tomorrow!!)

Take care, Renee

live4today, RN · Mar 14, 2002

Originally posted by mattsmom81
My experience is many females have not learned to integrate their femininity with women's lib! As a result, I see many become 'aggressive' and never learn 'assertive'.
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Oh how I AGREE with that quote of yours, mattsmom81! :) I took an Assertive Training Course for Nurses during my last year of college, and it was so helpful to me when I started working in the field as a nurse. It's almost like I could easily detect who was and who wasn't being aggressive or assertive. Amazing! Once you see it in action, being able to respond to it is "key" in how the conversation or situation plays out. Perhaps hospitals should offer an Assertive Training Class for all healthcare professionals, mandating they repeat the class annually on their "birthdate" as set up by the hospitals they work for. :)

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2002

Howdy Yall

From deep in the heart of Texas

I went into nursing to be a nurse, So I chose to become an AD RN. I have no complaints. I have been in administrative for almost 15 years now..

We are nurses together, UNITE FOR POWER

keep it in the short grass yall

teeituptom