Which is better?

[getbabygirl]

Which is better?????

[Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Ok, I really hate to flame someone in public, but turn about is fair play.

VSummer; I realize you may have come to the above conclusion because you have not had the education nor the experience of being a nurse yet, so I'll help you out....

Your conclusion is like so many philisophical conclusions that do not work. For example: All battleships are gray. My row boat is gray. Therefore; my rowboat is a battleship.

So I will reply to each of your complaints:

1. ...Who are rich and can afford it.

School is an investment in your future. If you are so get anything of value, I think you will agree that you need to work for it. I grew up poor, but I was smart enough to look for resources that are available to me. I worked hard, saved money and when I could afford to go back to school (see next line) I then went to college.

2. Who are young and have 4 years to go to school.

I went to school when I was 30 years old. That, by most, is considered rather on the older side. If you didn;t go to school for 4 years and instead did something less productive during that time... would you then, at the end of those 4 years still be 34 years old? My way, I am better educated and have more potential.

3. Live in areas that do not have a 4 year program available.

I know it is hard to go away to school. It does not always fit into your life's plans. It is not always convenient. But that is what makes nursing a "woman's job" and not a profession. We are considered by the public (not by those who really know) hand maidens and dispensible. That is why nurses are treated so poorly at some hospitals. Why some MDs consider them less than equal. In essence: make a sacrifice- go to school. All other professions don't whine that their degree isn't offered at the community college.

Nurses need to be professional and become educated to be respected. We need a larger knowledge base than anyone could possibly get in 2 years.

Nurses who do their job to the fullest, are medical team members and not there to "work for" the MDs. We critically think in a whole different pathway than MDs. We are trained to heal/treat the whole body, not just the body part. We work with the patient, his body, his mind, his soul and his family to work toward a recovery. (in most cases).

That is what a nurse does. A nurse does not just pass meds, change sheets and chart.

If that is the job you are in; you need to make changes and make them now.

Nurses save lives. Nurses make the transition toward death and afterlife easier. Nurses help the family to cope and to find necessary resources.

The next time anyone of you are working with a patient that you have learned to love....and their electrolytes go off and their neuro assessment changes and....... Wouldn't you like to have been educated enough to know more? (No, we can never know it all, nor can we ever know enough...) But wouldn't you want someone who may catch that suble sign that could save your loved one?

STOP... don't think about FLAMIN' me for that comment. Some of you will say that, "I know ADN nurses that are better than BSN.." We all know there are exceptions to every rule. But in the rule.... the majority still prevails. Besides, it took that ADN more than 2 extra years to learn that extra stuff.

The nursing shortage will never be over until:

1. We are considered a profession desirable to get into

a. with respect

b. with more money

c. more men are in the profession. (we all know how the game works; so I won't elaborate).

2. We start showing a more professional profile to the public

a. professional attire. Quit going to work in wrinkled clothing, hair and nails that should be on someone from Sunset and Vine.

b. conduct and publish nursing care research

c. stop attacking each other

d. be educated a a min of a BSN.

Flame away to my personal mailbox. Don't clutter this thread.

Challenge: print this off and have your instructors read this.

Lastly; If only a ADN is available to you at this time.... PLEASE continue your education asap. So many more doors will open for you. I love to be a nurse... I want everyone to know my joy.

[Vsummer1]

I am not flaming, nor was I speaking on behalf of myself. I am merely pointing out that if a program is certified to teach to the RN level, and students pass the NCLEX, than someone has decided that they have the training to do so ON A LIMITED LEVEL. Most specialties and jobs only hire BSN's.

I surely hope that all the CNA's, LPN / LVN's don't realize that they aren't nurses. Because according to you, not only are they NOT nurses, but neither are State recognized RN's with an ADN.

[Vsummer1]

Originally posted by rhona1

I would rather put two years of my education into something that will transfer someday. I will be proud to earn my ADN .

WELL SAID! I will be even prouder when I pass the NCLEX though! Prouder still when I get my BSN... then my masters, and if I don't drop dead of old age first, my PhD.

But, one step at a time. It is most important to TAKE that first step though! And I think THAT is what this thread was about-- whether a Diploma program or an ADN program would be a better program.

[BBnurse34]

Hmmmm, If all nurse had to have a BSN, what kind of nursing shortage would there be now?

I feel that there is room for both ADNs and BSNs.

BTW I am neither rich nor too lazy to continue with school. I am curently upgrading my ADN to a BSN mostly because work is paying for it. Don't think for a minute that getting new letters behind my name will make me a better bedside nurse. It does, however, open new doors and possibilities.

[monkijr]

Both are nurses, neither is better, unless they chose to be.

[DelGR]

That's the best reply yet URSULA!!