Associate vs. Baccalaureate degrees in Nursing

SSUBSNSENIORS · Oct 26, 1998

Gandalf,

Thank you for your response. If the hospital where you worked paid a substantial differential salary for nurses with their BSN, would you then be motivated to return to school? If the hospital paid for your education to return for your BSN, would you be more interested in returning to school? You mentioned that you are happy with the amount of direct patient care that you get right now. Do you think if you had a BSN you would be required to stop engaging in the same amount of patient care you are currently engaged in and be asked to take on a leadership/management role? We value your response! Thanks!

SSUBSNSENIORS · Oct 26, 1998

Gandalf,

Thank you for your response. If the hospital where you worked paid a substantial differential salary for nurses with their BSN, would you then be motivated to return to school? If the hospital paid for your education to return for your BSN, would you be more interested in returning to school? You mentioned that you are happy with the amount of direct patient care that you get right now. Do you think if you had a BSN you would be required to stop engaging in the same amount of patient care you are currently engaged in and be asked to take on a leadership/management role? We value your response! Thanks!

SSUBSNSENIORS · Oct 26, 1998

Jill - congratulations on working toward your BSN. We really appreciate your input. What made you decide to go back to school for your BSN? Do you think ADN programs should be abolished? Or do you think it was a good stepping stone for you? What are your thoughts regarding the requirement of all nurses to have a minimum of a BSN? Would this lead to increased "professionalization" of nursing? Does the facility in which you are employed pay a differential for nurses with their BSN degree? We look forward to your response!

SSUBSNSENIORS · Oct 26, 1998

Jill - congratulations on working toward your BSN. We really appreciate your input. What made you decide to go back to school for your BSN? Do you think ADN programs should be abolished? Or do you think it was a good stepping stone for you? What are your thoughts regarding the requirement of all nurses to have a minimum of a BSN? Would this lead to increased "professionalization" of nursing? Does the facility in which you are employed pay a differential for nurses with their BSN degree? We look forward to your response!

Joellen · Oct 28, 1998

I have been an ADN RN for 18 years and have no plans on returning for a BSN. I consider myself just as professional as a BSN graduate. In my experience, I feel that we as nurses should push for a core amount of continuing education rather than the BSN. The controvery over whether or not to require a BSN has caused a great division in the nursing field. What I have gained through experience and continuing education could never be taught in a four year program. In this day of everyday changes in healthcare you have to keep up with the latest research and technology. I will back 100% mandatory continuing education but I don't believe a BSN is a necessity to be considered a professional.

Joellen · Oct 28, 1998

I have been an ADN RN for 18 years and have no plans on returning for a BSN. I consider myself just as professional as a BSN graduate. In my experience, I feel that we as nurses should push for a core amount of continuing education rather than the BSN. The controvery over whether or not to require a BSN has caused a great division in the nursing field. What I have gained through experience and continuing education could never be taught in a four year program. In this day of everyday changes in healthcare you have to keep up with the latest research and technology. I will back 100% mandatory continuing education but I don't believe a BSN is a necessity to be considered a professional.

buck227 · Mar 28, 2001

they both suck. Diploma in hospital program is the only way to be an RN. The BSN should come after that. Diploma nurses are the only true nurses. The rest just don't stack up

Originally posted by SSUBSNSENIORS:
We are interested in discussing the differences between Registered Nurses with Associate degrees in nursing (ADN) and those with baccalaureate degrees in Nursing (BSN).
Some individuals believe that ADN prepared nurses have had more clinical experience throughout their schooling, leading to increased skills proficiency. On the other hand, many BSN programs tend to stress community health, research, leadership and management, as well as theory based practice.
What do you believe the differences are (education and workplace) between an ADN degree and a BSN degree? If you have your ADN, whould you consider returning to school to obtain your BSN? If so, why? What were the motivating factors in your choice of selecting an ADN or BSN program? We are looking forward to your input!

buck227 · Mar 28, 2001

they both suck. Diploma in hospital program is the only way to be an RN. The BSN should come after that. Diploma nurses are the only true nurses. The rest just don't stack up

Originally posted by SSUBSNSENIORS:
We are interested in discussing the differences between Registered Nurses with Associate degrees in nursing (ADN) and those with baccalaureate degrees in Nursing (BSN).
Some individuals believe that ADN prepared nurses have had more clinical experience throughout their schooling, leading to increased skills proficiency. On the other hand, many BSN programs tend to stress community health, research, leadership and management, as well as theory based practice.
What do you believe the differences are (education and workplace) between an ADN degree and a BSN degree? If you have your ADN, whould you consider returning to school to obtain your BSN? If so, why? What were the motivating factors in your choice of selecting an ADN or BSN program? We are looking forward to your input!

JMP · Mar 28, 2001

I am a Canadian. I am just about to graduate with a diploma in nursing. It is three years-with courses such as Understanding Nursing Reserach, Critical Thinking, etc. and we have 1700 clinical hours over three years.

The Ontario College of Nurses ( our governing body) has recently announced that all new grads, as of Jan. 1, 2005 MUST have their BScN to write the RN's. The rest of us will be "gradfathered in" so to speak.

I agree with this position... I think most professionals in hospitals these days, at least in Canada, have their degrees- RT's, OT's, Reg. Dietians, Doctors, etc. So why not nurses?

I will begin work on my BScN this fall. Iam not a kid- I am 44. But I want to be the best nurse I can be- and getting my degree is part of it. Experience is needed as well- but ANYONE can get experience- education is the solid foundation for that experience.

I am sort of sad that the three year diploma is going- but a four year degree is replacing it...however I do worry about the nursing shortage- because it is here in Canada as well...just not as acute as the US.

Just some thoughts from a Canadian nurse...almost.

JMP

JMP · Mar 28, 2001