Nurses with BSN - necessary?

Trauma Columnist · May 24, 2004

As staff nurses - there is no difference in a BSN, ADN or diploma RN - IMHO. However, once you get to the supervisor/manager role, all of the hospitals I've worked at require at least a BSN and preferably an MSN. Just my take on it though and I think someone will be along soon to disagree with me. Good luck...

Dixiedi · May 24, 2004

I am a Director of Nursing. I only have one BSN degree nurse that works for me. Do you think nurses with a BSN is necessary in Home Care or in any nursing field? What do you think are the advantages of having BSN nurses on staff?

A BSN really won't give you an advantage until you have the desire to be a supervisor. However, the BSN still needs some years of experience before she is qualified to supervise (she/he has to start someplace).

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · May 24, 2004

Please use the "search" option. Hundreds of threads on this topic.

smk1, LPN · May 24, 2004

This seems like a different spin on the bsn-adn topic, I am a student but would like to hear form some of you DONs and ADONs out there why BSN is preferred for certain jobs (non supervisory) such as home health etc.. is it the community health education that they get or something else or is it just a directive from the administration? This could be an educational topic!

lroche · May 24, 2004

The reason BSN nurses are preferred is because they do have the community health education part of their program. Another reason is the autonomous way RN's work in home care. BSN nurses tend to have better critical thinking skills and can work autonomously. They don't always have to report to someone at a higher level. BSN nurses are better prepared for a supervisory role - management role - whether or not they actually have a supervisory/management title. They fucntion that way normally. More education is always better. I haven't always thought this way, however. "A nurse is a nurse is a nurse..." isn't really true. Granted there are excellent ADN's out there - some of them my best friends and I would entrust the care of my family member to them. But - they're not always that way. I prefer a better prepared nurse (BSN) rather than taking my chances that the ADN is as good. BSN nurses also need good clinical experience. The fact that they have their BSN does not make them more qualified automatically. They need to pay their dues like everyone else. Nursing is like anything else - the more education you have the better off you'll be. In other professions - with less responsibility - bachelor's or higher is required. Why not nursing? I think it would help to raise the view of the nurse as a "professional". It think nursing would receive more respect if the requirement to become a RN is BSN or higher. I hope to never stop educating myself - no matter how many degrees I end up with!

Cherish · May 24, 2004

Well then if thats the case, I am currently doing an AD degree in Health Care Management which is a business degree that has many courses on public and community health. I am then going to take classes towards a Bachelors in Health Care Management, later on. I also started a BSN program, my question is would I be considered for a managerial job or just floor nursing when I get my RN? Just wondering, if I could start in a community health or public field as assistant supervisor or manager since I will have my ADN shortly? Or have to start from the ground up being a floor nurse? I originally didn't want to become a nurse but be in management at a hospital, thats why I'm a semester away from obtaining my Health Care Management. But I wanted to not be management that didn't know about the nurses p.o.v. so thats why I decided to do nursing (also wanted to be a CRNA, lol many possible options). Thanks for any reply.