Does ANYBODY enter a traditional BSN program anymore?

dudette10, MSN, RN · Feb 10, 2012

It may be because there are a lot of second degree students that are entering nursing. If you already have a bachelor's degree, why in the world would someone want to take the first 60 hours of gen ed courses again?

I've seen a lot of people on this board criticize the accelerated programs without understanding exactly what they are. They say, "You can get a bachelor's degree in nursing in 16 months? That's AWFUL!" What people tend to not realize is that any bachelor's in nursing program accelerated or not--has 60 hours of general education courses and at least 60 hours of major-specific courses.

The only difference may be in RN to BSN programs. The programs are allowed to provide "RN transfer credits," i.e. credit for being a working nurse, but the total number of semester hours MUST add up to at least 120.

Once I got my pre-reqs out of the way, I received my bachelor's degree in nursing in 16 months because I had a previous bachelor's degree. It was accelerated because we received only 1 week off between semesters. It was still a four-semester program, and nothing was cut out of the curriculum to make it accelerated.

Cathylady · Feb 10, 2012

My daughter's in a traditional BSN program at VCU. There are 60 students total in her junior class, 60 in the sophomore class, and 60 in the senior class.

I just don't think most traditional BSN students do too much posting on Allnurses for some reason or at least I don't see many. Maybe they're just too busy to blog.

RN In FL · Feb 11, 2012

Thanks for the reponses everybody. Congrats on your daughter Cathylady. I am hoping my daughter gets accepted into "a" trad BSN program this fall, for she has applied to many!!! Its a good thing too, if the trad students are too busy to post here...LOL means they are doing something right!! :yelclap:

@ Dudette.....I feel perhaps, using the word accelerated has "upset" alot of nurses. I too also figured out that nothing is accelerated out of the program. I just feel "that word" attracts people with other degrees into nursing, making them feel they will finish sooner or something. The actual nursing program is what counts...and believe you me, there is no acceleration to that whatsoever.

Thanks for sharing

mrmedical, ASN, BSN · Feb 11, 2012

Perhaps consider social factors as well; many BSN students are full time university students from 19-24 years old who live on campus and don't have as much time to spend on forums between core classes and social functions as opposed to many ADN or fast-track programs which generally consist of either and older population or second degree seeking students who may or may not have more free time, generally live at home, and comparatively speaking are not as involved in the whole "college atmosphere" as the younger students. I know personally when I was at the U I rarely went online expect for checking emails and Facebook as there was always so much going on at the campus or dorms.

RN In FL · Feb 11, 2012

I just read on sooooo many post from "accelerated" hopefuls, comparing gpa's, teas's scores, prior degrees, many times grad degrees, its almost INSANE! Many should not have problems getting in to the nursing programs...near perfect scores. Just don't hear it from the traditional bsn students. But from the post thus far, makes sense..

@ mrmedical. You are totally right about the age population of students, could have alot to do with it.

Cathylady · Feb 11, 2012

mrmedical, you are right about the age factor and BSN VS ADN or Accelerated students. My daughter's Traditional BSN class at the university where she attends has only one 40 year old man, and one student that has children; the rest are young, single, and are involved in campus activities. My daughter never reads allnurses for some reason but I do. It's my window into her life as a nursing student as I read the accounts of others.

@RN in FL, where is your daughter applying? I'm from FL in fact I graduated from UF!

RN In FL · Feb 11, 2012

@ Cathylady, my daughter is applying to University of North FL, Florida A&M, University of South AL, Pensacola State College (just became 4yr), Tallahassee Community College, and Jeff-Davis. She is pre-nursing, and has her AA in nursing completed. So we are praying for fall 2012. TRADITIONAL BSN PROGRAM.... :yeah:

Vespertinas · Feb 11, 2012

I was a traditional student.

My understanding of the RN-to-BSN program makes me displeased. From what I hear, they don't have to take those basic patho, pharm, med-surg, A&P classes because supposedly their experience fills in for it. Instead, all they have to take are all the "other" classes we took as BSNs like statistics, holistic health, community nursing.

I don't think those "other" classes are what made me a true BSN nurse. I think it was the way I was taught in my core classes which went into great detail and encouraged critical thinking. If you walked in an RN and walked out a BSN but having gained NOTHING in your knowledge of or approach to med-surg then I think something crucial is lacking.

RN In FL · Feb 11, 2012

I was a traditional student.
My understanding of the RN-to-BSN program makes me displeased. From what I hear, they don't have to take those basic patho, pharm, med-surg, A&P classes because supposedly their experience fills in for it. Instead, all they have to take are all the "other" classes we took as BSNs like statistics, holistic health, community nursing.
I don't think those "other" classes are what made me a true BSN nurse. I think it was the way I was taught in my core classes which went into great detail and encouraged critical thinking. If you walked in an RN and walked out a BSN but having gained NOTHING in your knowledge of or approach to med-surg then I think something crucial is lacking.

I believe you do have to take the stats, and the chemistry and the rest of the classes, including patho, in the last 2 yrs.

RN to BSN, are ADN's who want to complete their BSN's. Thats a whole nother ball game, outside of "2nd career accelerated programs" and traditonal BSN programs. The last 2 groups aren't nurses at all.

when ADN's want to complete their BSN's, they don't go back and learn to give meds and bed baths all over again, unlike the above 2 groups.

Somebody correct me if i am wrong.....

boushie87 · Feb 11, 2012

I wish I could be in an accelerated program but they do not offer one in my area. I already have a BS degree in Biotechnology and went to grad school for a yr for Genetic Counseling. I would love to take more intensive year to finish this off then take 2.5 years when I have already been in school for 5 years before that. My bank account would love it too.

MunoRN, RN · Feb 11, 2012

I was a traditional student.
My understanding of the RN-to-BSN program makes me displeased. From what I hear, they don't have to take those basic patho, pharm, med-surg, A&P classes because supposedly their experience fills in for it. Instead, all they have to take are all the "other" classes we took as BSNs like statistics, holistic health, community nursing.
I don't think those "other" classes are what made me a true BSN nurse. I think it was the way I was taught in my core classes which went into great detail and encouraged critical thinking. If you walked in an RN and walked out a BSN but having gained NOTHING in your knowledge of or approach to med-surg then I think something crucial is lacking.

I assume "RN-to-BSN" program refers to ADN to BSN. There is no path to an RN (AS or BSN) that doesn't include A&P, pharm, med-surg, etc. The pre-req's for an ADN are nearly identical to that of a BSN program except for a couple classes like nutrition or sometimes statistics. Although there are no longer any ADN programs in my area that still don't require statistics. It is because these classes are required of both degrees that ADN-to-BSN programs only cover the remaining additional topics covered in a BSN program, such as in-depth Nursing leadership and community health.

While each type of program includes somewhat differing curriculum, the classes themselves are are by design identical (the A&P that a ADN student takes is no different than the A&P that a BSN student takes).

Med-surg experience, or clinical skills, are not typically taught in ADN-BSN programs mainly because hands-on clinical experience is often cited as an advantage of ADN programs, so it's not as though ADN graduates need to catch-up in this area.