THOUGHT I KNEW NOW I DONT

prmenrs, RN · May 30, 2001

A BSN gives you the most options by far! Even if you don't ever do anything but bedside nursing, you will be ahead of the game. Go for it!

nurs4kids · May 30, 2001

Beautiful reply, P_RN. From another ASN nurse, GO FOR THE BSN. I also have no desire to do anything other than bedside, but you may as well invest your time in a BSN..there's not that much difference in the time, but a big difference in the degree. I had already attended college 2 yrs prior to deciding on nursing. Went with the ASN because the hospital I work for was giving "scholarships" to a particular school. I got a wonderful nursing education, but still regret the choice. I could have obtained a BSN just as quickly. You're also still young in the span of work..you may wish, 10 years down the road, that you had the BSN. As you get older and wish to rest your feet more, you may wish to do management. Another thing to think about is this..You're in a rural area. HMO's are killing rural hospitals. You want to make yourself more marketable in case something happens to your local hospitals. I don't think you'll ever have a problem getting a job with a ASN, but you are even more marketable with a BSN.

ornurse2001 · May 30, 2001

If you are asking wether or not to seek an Associate degree Vs. attend a diploma program-I have an associate degree, and a friend of mine has a diploma.My friend and I are both RN's and she has had no different opportunities than I have, in fact she has held DON positions in LTC.I wondered about what she would do if she decided to get a BSN and asked her-she said that diploma programs also build credits so that she would be able to get a BSN as easy as I would.I don't know....

hoolahan, ASN, RN · May 30, 2001

I say go with whatever your gut tells you is best for you. Most Diploima colleges now work with community colleges, so all science courses are usually college credit. This is the big issue, the science course work, if you decide to go on. No matter what BSN program you choose, and I had checked out a LOT of programs, you will still have to "prove" your nursing experience one way or another, by exam, clinical, etc. So, whether you get a degree or diploma, you will still feel like you are starting from scratch, at least that was my experience and I had an ADN first.

Don't say you never have plans to be anything but a bedside nurse, there are lots of opportunities in nursing besides being a supervisor. In this time of nursing shortage, I have seen no difference in what is offered based on degree. Used to be many hospitals would not even consider anyone but a MSN for a nursing ed job, but now, they will take a BSN or working on a BSN. Because they don't want to fork over the money a MSN is worth (when you consider the investment of their time and money.) I am a supervisor in a HH agency, and the state has manadated that supervisors be BSN. Granted I was working on it, but my former employer wouldn't even consider me for the spot b/c I did not have BSN in hand, and trust me, I was the better candidate. When I looked elsewhere, I asked one potentail employer about how they could hire me w/o the BSN in hand, she said, "There are ways around that." I'm seeing that reflected in a lot of ads I see. Now manager ads are saying BSN preferred.

So, choose whatever you feel will prepare you the best, give you the most support, work the best with your family life, and maybe is less expensive if that is an issue for you. I really don't see where it will make much difference in this day of a nursing shortage. Good Luck and God Bless!

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 30, 2001

Here's my advice; research all the programs you would be willing to go to, and find out which offers the most clinical time, forget about fancy specialty courses. The time on the floor is what will make the difference, and make the transition from new grad easier for you.

Basically the argument against Bsn is that their grads don't have enough hands on experience. Don't rule out the Bsn just because you don't intend to go to a management position though, you may be interested in a charge nurse, or floor supervisor position in a few years, both involve pt care, but also an element of decision making for the floor as a whole. With your maturity you would be a prime candidate.

mustangsheba · May 31, 2001

You might want to consider at least going for the ADN. Diplomas are not accepted in some states. And I have know a few nurses with diplomas who were required to return to school if they wanted to continue working.