How important is it to get a BSN?

[matcha-cat]

I often hear about how important it is to get a BSN, and that a lot of hospitals are often looking for new grads who have a BSN degree, as that's something that they're trying to phase in.

I was wondering, how essential is it for new nurses to get a BSN over just a RN degree? I do plan on eventually getting a BSN, but I'm just curious.

[caliotter3]

The BSN was identified as the entry level for professional nursing at least around sixty years ago, as I read in sources around that time. It just has never been implemented in full force in the US. I don't expect to be around to see what the situation will be in another sixty years.

[sunny2]

The hospitals in my area will hire you only if you have a BSN. You can find work with an ADN at clinics and medical practices but you're also competing against other BSN applicants.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Thanks for all of your comments! I thought perhaps what I heard concerning the importance of getting a BSN was maybe a bit overblown, but I see now that it's pretty much necessary. Thank you for your input :)

I wouldn't say it's necessary. I can get a job just fine without it as just an ADN. I don't plan on going back to get my BSN unless my employer gives me an ultimatum.

[Scottishtape]

Not necessary, like others have stated, but it will help you.

I got a pay raise (not a ton more, but more is better!), and it got me a critical care spot straight out of my bridge program.

My classmates who don't have a bachelors didn't get critical care spots.

So, it's definitely something to consider :)

[direw0lf, BSN]

Thanks llg! I guess I was looking at it like, I will have my bsn before this very good nurse and it seemed like her earning the bsn was for nothing, looking at it that way. Thank you for sharing your perspective because that's good to know that a bsn really does or can help with better patient outcomes from learning about research and theory and utilizing it for practice.

[Sunset87, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN, CNM]

I haven't found it necessary, but my first job was desperate for nurses and the only school in the area was an ASN program. Maybe getting those 3 years of experience allowed me to get later jobs. I am going back to get my BSN now because I want to go to grad school.

[jrbl77, RN]

As an almost 61 yr old diploma grad, my diploma has served me well this far. My next goal is to retire.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I have a Bachelor's degree in English. I went to a hospital school of nursing where I learned how to be a nurse. I make $120k+ a year. Just saying

[caliotter3]

So you do not have BSN listed on your resume. You come across a job listing that floors you, you want it so badly. The education requirements state that a BSN is preferred. You are not selected. Later on, you find out that there were X number of available positions, and each person chosen possessed a BSN. You could have at least been considered for the job in the same pool of applicants if you had already obtained the BSN. Think of the BSN as 3/4 of an ounce of prevention when job hunting.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

So you do not have BSN listed on your resume. You come across a job listing that floors you, you want it so badly. The education requirements state that a BSN is preferred. You are not selected. Later on, you find out that there were X number of available positions, and each person chosen possessed a BSN. You could have at least been considered for the job in the same pool of applicants if you had already obtained the BSN. Think of the BSN as 3/4 of an ounce of prevention when job hunting.

Are you speaking to someone?

[caliotter3]

"How important is it to get a BSN" was a question posed by the original poster. One usually answers the original poster when they are not addressing other people in the thread. If the original poster does not care for the comment, they will certainly speak up. I am certain there have been many job hunters, not just hypothetical ones, who kicked themselves in the behind because they could have easily met the minimum requirements for a job posting. The BSN has been mentioned as that minimum for decades now. It is not a new concept, so scores of utterances about how one succeeded without a BSN don't do any good for the person who missed the job they needed because they didn't want to make that choice when it was available to them. This comment is meant for anyone who might find it useful, not to start an argument.

[Reyn04, MSN, RN]

My experience: I completed an ADN program & got a job at the hospital associated with my school. BUT when I tried to move to a different state I couldnt even get an interview until I completed the coursework for my BSN (which was already in process).

Magnet facilities will show preference to BSN as well. Some wont hire Associates Nurses, others may require the BSN with a certain frame of time. To maintain magnet staus they must employ a majority percentage of BSNs

Finally, there is talk of making the BSN a minimum standard of education by the ANA in an effort to move nursing towards becoming a "profession" vs a job (a topic discussed in my ADN program as well as journals).

Given all that, to me if you plan to make nursing your career, I strongly suggest that if you have 15 or more years left before you retire it would be wise to invest in your degree. I am actually working on completing my MSN with about 20-25 years to retirement minimim. The primary reason: it gives you options later. To me, entry level bedside nursing is the same regardless of your degree but the advantage of the higher degrees is the options for the future career development.