Hi, I need assistance.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 2, 2010

Oh and to the OP, in this day, I think it's best to start with the RN whether it be ADN/ASN or BSN. I know in my area at least they aren't hiring the LPN/LVN at the hospitals anymore. So job wise depending on where you are, it's probably best to start with that as far as nursing degrees. If your able to go straight for the BSN I would go that route, if it's better for you to get the ASN/ADN-RN and work and do the Bridge program for the BSN or even MSN then you have that option as well.

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · May 2, 2010

Can you elaborate on that more, and also how is an ADN/ASN-RN prone to pick up more bad habits than a BSN-RN when both start as new grad RN's. It seems bad habits picked up as RN's aren't privy to what degree they had from what I have seen. From what I have also seen in researching the two programs since I plan on starting my RN-BSN program shortly after I graduate but while working that the classes required for the BSN are more liberal arts and managerial/leadership classes and more paper writing classes. Not so much that the skills at the actual nursing level are greater.
I am only 1 year into my program (which with a six week class this summer would allow me to sit for LPN boards, although I am not going that route) but we are most certainly learning the WHY's more then anything in school and not so much skills. The biggest focus has been the process's and WHY. They give us a rough overview of the skills and admit in the hospital setting it's going to be different and we pretty much perfect those skills in our clinicals.

As a student nearly 3/4ths of the way through my two-year program myself, I cannot elaborate further upon these opinions, merely state that they have been passed on to me from currently practicing RNs (who are obviously at least bachelors-prepared as they're going for their CRNAs and FNPs) as well as from various faculty within and associated with my program.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 2, 2010

As a student nearly 3/4ths of the way through my two-year program myself, I cannot elaborate further upon these opinions, merely state that they have been passed on to me from currently practicing RNs (who are obviously at least bachelors-prepared as they're going for their CRNAs and FNPs) as well as from various faculty within and associated with my program.

Fair enough, if they only have BSN's then I think it's safe to assume their opinions aren't very valid in what the other programs are learning. Especially since even the same degree programs seem to vary so widely with only the end degree being the common ground.

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · May 2, 2010

Fair enough, if they only have BSN's then I think it's safe to assume their opinions aren't very valid in what the other programs are learning. Especially since even the same degree programs seem to vary so widely with only the end degree being the common ground.

They weren't commenting on the educational content of the different programs, just the products of them.

CuriousMe · May 2, 2010

OP, you're young and know that you eventually want your BS (and then grad school). I think there's a lot of value in you getting your BSN first and other than the chance of a hospital paying for your BSN year (keeping in mind, that many hospitals have decreased their amount of support in this area) If you can swing it, I think it would be worth it for you.

Oh and TheSquire.....I've had RN's and NP's tell me the same thing about ADN/BSN prepared RN's.

CuriousMe · May 2, 2010

Fair enough, if they only have BSN's then I think it's safe to assume their opinions aren't very valid in what the other programs are learning. Especially since even the same degree programs seem to vary so widely with only the end degree being the common ground.

There was no mention of whether they only had BSN's or not, just that they at least had their BSN's (so no mention of what kind of programs they got their RN license in).....just what they noticed of graduates from different kinds of programs.

SonorityGenius · May 2, 2010

OP, the best and most "safe" method in this economy and upcoming changing political nature in Nursing is the following:

GET A BSN --> WORK as RN for 1 YEAR --> GO FOR NP IF YOU ARE STILL INTERESTED.

Getting a BSN first is IMPORTANT to secure a job.

It is also a REQUIREMENT to enter NP/DNP programs

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 3, 2010

They weren't commenting on the educational content of the different programs, just the products of them.

Hmmm I must be confused about them saying that in BSN programs they learn the WHY and not in the other programs. I would think teaching the WHY's of nursing is part of the educational content. They aren't here though (that I know of), so I will just let it be since I can't ask my questions directly to them, and it's just second hand opinions being given.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 3, 2010

There was no mention of whether they only had BSN's or not, just that they at least had their BSN's (so no mention of what kind of programs they got their RN license in).....just what they noticed of graduates from different kinds of programs.

Yes and since different programs of even the same degree level vary so widely (at least displayed on this site). I will just chalk it up to nothing. My program, an ASN covers the WHY's in our first year, we also have 2 semesters of Pharm, which appears to be rare according to a lot of the posters.

**new** · May 3, 2010

You should go straight for your bachelor's if it's an NP you're shooting for. It's a requirement.

EduardoLugo · May 5, 2010

I am going to talk to someone in college regarding to this. I need to know more about all this. It's confusing.

I will see if they teach BSN or MSN here. For now I am trying to do Nursing assistant. That's my priority. After that, I will see what I can do. :)

EduardoLugo · May 5, 2010

Thanks! I will certainly try to get into BSN.

So here it is :

Nursing assistant > BSN > NP.

As long as I can work as RN after BSN, that sounds good!