Grand Canyon RN-BSN

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jun 10, 2015

Still looking for a 2nd "anything" class that does NOT have a group project. Currently have HLT-314V Health Care Systems as my 2nd class..but no clue if it has a group project or not----my (un) adviser won't say!! So if you know of a class that does NOT have a group project, would love to hear about it.

pinkdonkey · Jun 11, 2015

I think education, irregardless of promotions, is priceless. I am moving forward because I want a BSN, always did. Back in my day, a 3 year diploma was the real deal!! And I do think we did get a super education. However, I want that BSN now, to have for my knowledge base and in my back pocket for future job changes.

I think RN's that follow through are more respected and also I do believe I will learn a ton that will help me understand situations more in depth, perhaps give me ideas for another RN job I might enjoy? Etc...

tokmom, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2015

This very well may be the case. What I learned in BSN was more easily absorbed and applied as I had a healthy foundation to understand how and why I could and should apply extra knowledge to patient situations that I hadn't considered before.
I think this may also be a big difference for me - I went to ADN school so long ago and the program was brand new at the community college I attended. Nursing in general has grown leaps and bounds since then; back then no one cared about cultural competency or patients' perspectives. Certainly there was no focus on patient participation in their own care, the phrase "Health Promotion" hadn't been invented yet. In "my day", everything was so paternalistic and if the patient didn't do what you told them to do (without even bothering to tell them why), they were labeled noncompliant - no questions asked. I find that now I just look at patients differently; rather than body-systems and what can I do to fix this one issue, I look at the whole person (dare I say holistically? LOL) and dig deeper into why they are the way they are and how to get them to help themselves out of their current state.
I think ADN programs in general have grown to include so much more than I was ever taught, so those that have graduated fairly recently probably experienced much of what is included in BSN programs? It was mostly all new to me, and the repeats of info were not at the credit of what I learned at my ADN school, they were a result of on the job training of stuff I picked up here and there by just being observant and curious :)

Totally agree Prism. Nursing programs are much more progressive now.

pinkdonkey · Jun 13, 2015

I think that now, the big push will be 2016. Apparently at that point a BSN will be required in most states.. it does not mean more money. It is that a BSN is required. The UW system already requires it. Denver, CO, where my daughter lives requires it ... or no job period. So you are not wasting you time. You never know what the future will bring. If more and more institutions, then states, want BSN's only... I would be concerned jobs are in jeopardy. And/or, at least prospects for moving would be limited. IDK, but that is what we hear around here.

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jun 13, 2015

I forget which class it was in..may have been a few of them....but fellow students stated they were told to to get thier BSN, or they may be without a job. Some had a certain amount of time to obtain it. When i left my first and only hospital back in 2011, they had just started that. LPNs had a certain amount of time to get their BSN, and RNS (Diploma/ADN) had a certain amount of time to get their BSN. Not sure if they carried out on that or not. Hospital was putting so much $$$ towards it, and even had 1 of the universities come and give classes right at the hospital! Ones hospital may not require a BSN right now....but down the road......

kwmom · Jun 14, 2015

substance abuse may be interesting. At least you could tie it to work

My coworker tested out of a class with the substance abuse exam and she said it was a good one.

kwmom · Jun 14, 2015

Does anyone work where a BSN makes more money? My facility doesn't pay more, but I'm hoping to change that the next time we negotiate our contract. I'm on the team and three years ago, I brought it up to my co-workers who are on the team. They shot it down immediately, even though I had the ADN and all but another have a BSN. They said it would dissuade the facility from hiring BSN.

No pay increase for me with a BSN. There is a $2500 bonus but you have to commit for 2 years additional employment if you take it. I'm debating whether to take it or not since I live 94 miles from my employer. With now having a BSN I could apply for jobs in the Chicagoland area which is half the commute and more money. Problem is that I actually like my job and fear leaving a job I like and landing somewhere that's awful.

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jun 14, 2015

My coworker tested out of a class with the substance abuse exam and she said it was a good one.

I have known 2 that have taken the test...1 has to study..but doable. Being in Ecuador...not an option! I did find they offer the class every 3 weeks at GCU

rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jun 14, 2015

I'm debating whether to take it or not since I live 94 miles from my employer. With now having a BSN I could apply for jobs in the Chicagoland area which is half the commute and more money.

This is it exactly! I believe that my facility and other like it do not understand the market value of BSNs. Most of the nurses at my facility obtain other jobs once they get their BSN. I for one have had thoughts of doing so as well. Once I graduate I will have almost 2 years experience, BSN, and a great smile. There are other hospitals within driving distance that will pay a premium for me that will be well over the added costs of commuting.

This inability to retain trained, educated, valuable nurses will cost the facility greatly by hiring new graduate nurses. In fact this is what my capstone paper is based on. The solution would be to increase the pay a little so that it isn't cost effective enough to commute. This would increase the experienced nursing base and cut costs of new employee orientation. Not only that but the patient care would stabilize at a higher level rather than increase and decrease with employee cycling.

This is the concern of rural area nursing and facility management. This would not completely affect you Kwmom because your expenses would decrease if you worked closer to home. But in my situation it is the opposite. Maybe I am just trying to make the argument fit my situation.

beccajean · Jun 15, 2015

I'm one of those who actually believe that the BSN enhances knowledge and improves care.

Prism, I drank the kool aid, too! I talk with my coworker who I am going through the program with, and she laughs at me, but I really do see the value in the degree.

derkfamily · Jun 15, 2015

Any thoughts on Trends? I just finished the first week and can't see straight. :drowning: I also just finished the 3rd week of Patho. :banghead: Why do I do that to myself?? Is Trends going to be this paper heavy the entire way through? I am finished with work for the summer Now that is something to be happy about!! Please someone tell me that it will get better without having to work as I finish these last few classes......

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jun 15, 2015

patho was somewhat enjoyable...the CLC was the best ever for me..oh wait, 1 girl didnt do anything..but it was really a 2 person project, so worked in our favor.....Trends wasn't bad...not as boring as I thought it would be..truly had the best CLC group ever.....people arrived to the group right away, and everyone had their tasks asap....a complete joy...i even told the prof that and she said we were fortunate,lol She too had done her BSN at GCU...well aware of the slackers and she said she paid a lot of attention to the group forums!! best of luck