How far did you get...?

ckh23, BSN, RN · May 10, 2011

I have worked as a staff nurse my whole career in the ED and ICU. I wasn't until about 4 years in when I realized I wanted to get my Masters that I went back for my BSN.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 10, 2011

Times are changing. Nursing is changing. My state is trying to have BSN as minimum requirement for hospital nurses. I work with plenty of ADN's with awesome skills and experience, but as they retire they are being replaced with BSNs. No need to return to school till you are ready though, as you will have plenty to learn in you job and you will know when it is imperitive.

SNIXRN · May 10, 2011

I agree with classicdame, hospitals can be picky and some states are already requiring BSNs. I graduated December 2010, started my dream job, and am starting my BSN next week. I figure I should start immediately or I will keep finding excuses not to go back (and tuition isn't getting any cheaper).

Good luck to you!

kessadawn, BSN, RN · May 10, 2011

I am completely happy with my ADN, I love working the bedside in PICU, and I have no aspirations for teaching or management. I do alot of teaching and precepting in my unit though. There is a big push for education in my hospital, especially in my unit, not so much a push for BSN or MSN, but for certifications relating to critical care and pediatrics. My hospital rewards well for education, nurses can enter a care ladder track for professional improvement in clinical skills, education, or management, and when you make your goals, the hospital gives you cash, uniform or conference stipends, etc. It's a nice bonus if you plan to continue anyway, but certainly not a requirement at this time. I feel the push is getting stronger every year, statewide, it wouldn't surprise me if BSN eventually becomes a state requirement.

studentgolfer · May 10, 2011

As a staff nurse the only difference between an ADN and a BSN is $0.25/hour, this is at least true at the hospital I work at and it is a major healthcare system.

I don't see how it would be at all "safer" for patients to not allow ADN nurses and transition to an all BSN staff. The skills set isn't higher it's the same nursing school.

In fact it always seemed to be the BSN new grads that weren't liked by experienced nurses and they all seemed like they didn't have any patient contact before clinicals. The ADN nurses all seemed to be able to jump right in no problem the first week of the job.

The ADN nurses are also mostly non-trad so I guess that makes it slightly biased on work ethic, teamwork, experience, etc.

alphabetsoup · May 10, 2011

The bonus to having a BSN is that more doors are open. If you are content to have what you have in terms of your career with an ADN, then an ADN is just fine. If you end up wanting different opportunities, then you might want to consider earning a BSN. It just depends on your goals. You may discover that, after you have a few years under your belt, you actually want to do something else within nursing that requires a BSN or holding a BSN puts you higher on the list for consideration. Just depends on what you want.

RNperdiem, RN · May 10, 2011

I personally am happy with my ADN. I was able to pay for all of my education upfront and graduate debt-free.

I don't have any plans for the BSN as I don't plan to leave bedside nursing.

BUT, I am not a new graduate in these times of degree inflation either.

royhanosn · May 10, 2011

BSCN is sometimes greatly over marketed. Some feel comfortable looking for advancement, into management.

But some BSCN make very poor managers or exec;s. They have risen to their point of incompetence..aka Peter Principle.

Argo · May 11, 2011

I have gone up to director level. My current director at a very large health care system is an ADN. I have no desire to ever do any sort of management again. My current motto, what I tell my wife and people that ask me, is that I will go back for my BSN when it takes me longer than a day or two to get a job OR after my son graduates highschool(6 years from now). It takes me about 12 hours to get a phone call for an interview currently and each of the interviews I have had in the past 18 months has gotten me a job offer. My current hospital is going to magnet status in a year, one of the offers was from a magnet hospital.

Also, I stopped measuring my success by what my title is. I measure it by what amount of good I am doing in general, not just nursing, and how much my pay check is that I am bringing home to support my family and give them a good life. Making 120-130k/year is about where I am happy....

Marie1205 · May 11, 2011

Thanks so much for everyone's feedback! I feel so much better. The only reason why I'm even considering to do the RN-BSN program is because everyone is shoving the idea down my throat, which makes me not want to do it even more. I too love bedside nursing and don't plan on leaving it anytime soon. Management and education is just not my forte. I got into this business to CARE for patients, and that's what intend to do until my knees or hip give out. I guess I'll just see where the road takes me.