Is my Bachelors degree in another field useful in nursing??

SarahRN2013 · Mar 13, 2018

I have many co-workers hired as ASN-RNs who are now completing their BSN's as part of their new hire contract (75% paid by our employer!) for a magnet-certified hospital. Actually, even nurses who have been at our facility for a long time were given a deadline for earning their BSNs or finding new employment.

For the most part, the RN-BSN classes are theory type classes about informatics, management, research, etc. -- not focused on skills the directly relate to better patient care. Most who have completed the RN-BSN programs don't feel it's made them a better nurse. Basically, it's a hoop they had to jump through to keep their jobs. I'm aware of the research suggesting that there are better patient outcomes when there are more BSN nurses on staff. Just sharing what the consensus seems to be for the ASNs at my facility who have gone through, or are going through, the RN-BSN process. (I have a bachelor's and a master's degree in non-nursing fields, as well as my BSN. The two non-nursing degrees have meant nothing to any of my nursing employers in the last 5 years.)

OP - when you mention "classes for and advanced nursing degree" are you talking about your BSN, MSN, DNP or something else?

verene, MSN · Mar 13, 2018

Unfortunately as others have pointed out a BA/BS + ADN is not equivalent to a BSN.

The primary difference between a BSN and ADN is additional education in community and public health nursing, case management, quality improvement and leadership/interdisciplinary skills. More weight may also be given to statistics, nursing research and health promotion. The goal seems to be producing RNs who are capable of thinking on the systems level and those who can interpret and create new research.

Some people find these courses worth while and meaningful and others resent them and find them fluff with little meaning to their day-to-day work as a RN. I personally loved my community and public health coursework, and enjoyed engaging in case management, but I will also admit that much of my interest in nursing lies in non-hospital based nursing so these courses were relevant to me and my career goals.

There is some indication that mortality rates fall with a certain percentage of BSN prepared RNs in a hospital - which is part of the push behind Magnet hospitals having a high percentage of BSN prepared RNs. However having read some of that research it is quite possible that there are confounding variables at play and more is involved than just having a BSN. (My personal guess is that hospitals with the job competition to screen for BSN only applicants have a large enough pool of applicants that they can be selective in who they hire generally and end up taking only those with the most skill and most potential which would also improve outcomes. These hospitals also tend to be larger and urban with associated resources which can also improve patient outcomes).

klp2006, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2018

Previous posters have made clear that a BA/BS does not mean you have a "bachelors degree" for employment purposes. I have a BS in Business and 6 years of managing a team of 30+. For numerous reasons, I have chosen to get my ADN first, but I will immediately do my bridge to BSN. I have spoken to quite a few hospital administrators and my background will be beneficial... One day. First, I need experience and to finish my education (BSN). Second, I need to gain even more experience. As I further my career, my experience will help, but I humbly realize that I am new as all other nursing students to the field. For now, my experience and education just aids me in being a better student.