Do I REALLY need a BSN?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hi. I just graduate with my ADN as a second career. Before that, I was full time mom and before that I was an attorney (yeah, weird, I know). So, I'm hearing here and there that if I want even a chance at a hospital residency position (I want to be in the ICU one day), I need a BSN. But I keep thinking, "really? I already have a B.A. and a J.D.!" My original plan was to work, gain experience, and then go for a masters in a clinical specialty. But now, I'm now sure. I just can't believe that all my other experience and education doesn't count, especially when the BSN program really doesn't have any clinical component -- it's just more research and writing. I'm working in a really well run SNF, so I'm not really unhappy, but my dream has been to be in the ICU. I'll do what it takes but I'd like to know what other people have heard before I jump back into school. Thanks!

Plan your career from the top (where you want to max out) down. So you want a Masters at some point....then you need a BSN in order to go for you Masters. Some say that there is more clinical experience with the ADN. But, if you dont want to do an extra year of studies...then go straight for your BSN.

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As for my area, Miami Valley area in Ohio, having/getting your BSN is turning into a must. Majority of the positions I was going to apply for, part of the requirements were BSN or X amount years previous experience. I truly enjoyed my clinicals in the hospital and truly prefer to find a job at a hospital. More and more it looks like that is unlikely until I get my BSN. I have researched a few online BSN courses and will be beginning classes in January.

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I'm not against education or advanced nursing degrees. I don't think any nurse is. BUT in this economy- come on!! Don't these hospital hiring nursing managers and Nursing academia review or read the news/current events? and actually hear themselves? Who can affort to shell out thousands of dollars for a degree right now? Where do these ***holes think an unemployed nurse( and there are many, many of us) think the money is going to come from?

I would think- critically think- the first order of business would be to get unemployed nurses back to work and then think up ways to spend a nurse's money.

I just saw an article on the news about the states with the highest forclosure rates- some of the states on that list are where the nurse's who identified their home state are from. OHIO is on that list. Do these hospital and nursing ( BSN crazed) administrators and nurses in academia have any shame at all- that is what makes me thinking twice about committing myself to spending money I don't have in a profession who has such disregard for what is happening around them!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I have a BA and ASN. I'm very fortunate that at the hospital where I work the credentials for staff nurse are: RN license required; BSN preferred. With the BA I have had opportunities for management and research whose credentials are: RN license and bachelors degree and 5+ years experience required; BSN or MSN preferred.

I ultimately stayed with staff nursing because I like the flexibility. I understand that things at my hospital may change. I was ready to start the ASN to MSN program but I plan on starting a family instead.

Another thought: Once the affordable healthcare act comes into play, coupled with the aging population (including the number of nurses who will be retiring), there will be a need for a lot more nurses. Perhaps nursing will be what it was back in 2007 where just having an RN license opens up the world to you.

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Specializes in LTC and School Health.

I have an ADN and got hired into ICU as a new grad RN. They also hired me because of my previous LPN experience. I'm looking to pursue my BSN but not having it has not held me back in my career thus far.

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Where i work, i was hired on as ADN nurse but I was hired and working on my BSN right now. I think its worth getting so they are not requiring it later. I live in Austin and the Seton system is requiring ADN nurses hired now to sign a contract saying they will get their BSN in 2 years.

I want to work ICU also eventually and know that it can't hurt my chances. There is a long waiting list already and I need something to stand out in the crowd. But we do have an LVN working intermediate care so who knows? Experience means a lot too.

:)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

As people said, having your BSN will depend upon the area you live, and where you want to work. The whole BSN debate is irrelevant also, since whether or not we collectively agree, BSN/MSN prepared nurses is where this profession is headed. Really, your decision to obtain a BSN will depend on how long you intend to practise, because within the next 5-10 years, opportunities for ADN's will diminish.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Don't these hospital hiring nursing managers and Nursing academia review or read the news/current events?

I would think- critically think- the first order of business would be to get unemployed nurses back to work and then think up ways to spend a nurse's money.

They don't care about that, they care about staffing their hospitals and meeting their objectives. There is a surplus of good nurses with baccalaureate and postbaccalaureate degrees so they can set those requirements and still be deluged with qualified applicants. In that case, why wouldn't they choose education as a screening method?

One reason I chose the DEMSN route, and incurred the debt associated with it, was because I recognized this phenomenon 5 years ago when I was making the decision. It's been awhile coming but it finally opened up the right door for me.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

That's it exactly. Nursing has always been political, and hospitals could care less about what people think when their objective is status and money. Also, nursing is global, so when other nations have eliminated their diploma nursing programs, it's only natural that the US would follow. Doesn't mean it's fair, but this is the current trend.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Because this is part of the Magnet requirement.

*** Actually that's not the case at all. There is nothing about obtaining Magnet that requires staff RNs, or a percentage of staff RNs to hold BSNs. There IS a requirment that nurse leaders, managers, CNO's have degrees in nursing.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Here in NM, there is a program for those with an undergraduate degree in another field to apply straight into the Master's program. I have my undergrad in Psychology & am planning on applying into the Master's program (hopefully before they get rid of that option! :nailbiting:)

Good luck!

*** That might be a great option for you. Or it might not. I would investigate the hiring market in the area you plan to work before investing in a DEMSN program. Where I live the DEMSN grads have a very hard time getting jobs. There is considerable discrimination aginst them, at least at the two large health systems that operate in this area. The flagship hospital of the larger system doesn't even consider direct entry masters grads for employment after their experience with a numbers of those grads, unless they already are experienced bedside RNs.

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As people said, having your BSN will depend upon the area you live, and where you want to work. The whole BSN debate is irrelevant also, since whether or not we collectively agree, BSN/MSN prepared nurses is where this profession is headed. Really, your decision to obtain a BSN will depend on how long you intend to practise, because within the next 5-10 years, opportunities for ADN's will diminish.

It's reality. I think demands will open up, but it will not be as it once was, b/c so much is now done on a limited basis in the hospital and has moved to outside the hospital.

It is becoming a moot point overall. Most places, especially those that desire or have Magnet status, will require BSN. Right or wrong, like it or not--IT IS WHAT THE MARKET IS DEMANDING.

Certain geographical areas will make exceptions, and again, strong experience, even if has been a while, is still better. Please, unless you are a shallow learner, or didn't really get it with your experiences early on, you don't forget how to practice. You may be updated on certain things, but you get back up on the horse or the bike, and you find that in no time, you are riding like a pro again. This has been true for most people I have worked with. The nursing process is the nursing process. You either get it and are a continual and quick learner, or you don't.

The prejudice about nurses that have been out of practice for a while is assinine in most cases. The curb of refreshing is a lot less than a BSN with no real practice experience that is learning from jump street.

I don't understand why people aren't getting the reality here. This is all about nursing politics, money, and the subsequent market demands.

Really what most units need are truly excellent nurse educators that can make appropriate adaptive plans of learning and/or refreshing for each individual nurse being oriented to the unit. It's like doing IEP for kids--you know, Individualized Education Plans or Programs. Problem is, they just don't want to spend the money on them a lot of times, or they get people that are merely educated, but are not talented as educators. Anyone that knows anything about educators knows this: Great educators are born, not made. Sure they need appropriate education and experiences, but the difference between those that are made by shear education versus those that are educated and born gifted to education--well, it's totally like night and day.

Nursing as a "profession" still has so much to learn, it isn't funny.

In the meantime, I say, at least ultimately, yes. You will need at least a BSN--unless you want to fight city hall and all it's powerful allies.

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