Is BSN ( bachelor degree in nursing) worth it ?

ilstu99 · Jul 17, 2008

I have an associate degree in nursing and am RN for about 2.5 years. I work on med- surg floor, and have no interest in any of the nursing management positions. I know that I don't need BSN for bedside care. But I have more than 30 yrs ahead of me in nursing and am thinking that I should go for a BSN ( 2 semesters), just in case I would need it in non-bedsite nursing position in the future, if I would really get tired of bedsite care. I just don't know if it is really worth it. It would be an expense, and I just don't want to throw money away.
For those who have BSN- how did this degree helped you, please tell me.

I don't think it could ever hurt you. I would recommend that you look at the clinical ladder in your institution (or other places you might consider working), and see what it takes to advance up the rungs. Then think about whether you want to take those opportunities. Not everyone does, and that's totally okay.

My hospital is HUGE on the "Magnet" status, and part of that is the number of RN's with BSN's or better.....so they give you a TON of incentives to go back to school, and pay for the majority of the tuition. If someone else is paying, I'd jump right on that.

iteachob, MSN, RN · Jul 18, 2008

i never got my BSN and never regretted it. i can't justify the money spent for nonsense courses that have little to do with nursing. having said that, the big push is for degrees. if you have ANY inkling that you would someday leave the bedside, a degree is almost a must. none of the hospitals i ever worked for payed a bedside BSN more than a bedside diploma grad. good luck with your decision.

I'm having a hard time here trying to remember what "nonsense" courses I took! :rolleyes:

I had a BSN from the start, and never regretted my 4 year degree. Those nonsense courses taught me how to think in a different way, I think, than another route might have. No, I've never gone to an ADN or diploma school, but I have been a professor in an ADN program for >10 years now, and I know how we cram in everything possible in a 2 year span (there's little time to work on how students think).

Furthering your education is never a waste. I have a MSN in nursing education now, and have multiple opportunities (at the bedside or away) open to me. Will I ever pursue a PhD? Don't know. But, if I do, it won't be for the money.........just the pleasure of learning (being the best I can be at what I do). Knowledge is power.

neatnurse30 · Jul 18, 2008

Thank you all for your wise replies. Working at the bedsite, you really are asking yourself why bother with BSN. There are couple of older nurses working with me that say they will not pursue BSN, because it's not worth it. My hospital also wanted to be Magnet, but lost it and I know part of it was that many RNs and patient care directors didn't have advanced degrees. Since then hospital offers some bonus for pursuing BSN but only for full time and part time nurses. I am PRN nurse, so I have to cover all expenses myself. Many of you are right, you never know, what future holds for you and it's better to be prepared for it!

BSNin2008 · Jul 18, 2008

Knowledge IS power!

It will never hurt and can only help...I say go for it!

mom and nurse · Jul 18, 2008

it was worth getting the BSN...... I agree that Education is never a waste of time.

signed

Mom and Nurse MS RN CRNP now working as a new Adult NP and loving it (so far) :)

luckylucyrn · Jul 18, 2008

you never know what you'll want to do in the future. If you have the time and money now, do it. I doubt you'll regret it.

allnurses Guide · Jul 18, 2008

At the risk of being repetitive, education is never a waste.

The main difference in an ADN and BSN degree is the breadth and sometimes depth of knowledge, not in the daily bedside skills so much. I have seen research articles that state BSNs are better at critical thinking, but I personally think that is an awfully hard thing to measure. (no flames now, its in the lit, not necessarily my opinion :coollook: )

I'm close to finishing my masters, just for the fun of it. Our ER has a number of master's prepared nurses at the bedside, as well as LPNs doing their RN bridge.

Now is as good a time as any, and sometimes life events may get in the way in the future. Go for it! Have fun!

nurseylove22 · Jul 19, 2008

To view nursing as a profession and not just a job, I think it is very important to seek out knowledge in our practice and going back to school to become as well rounded as possible is very important.

With 30 years left in the nursing field you never know what path you may choose in 10-20 years.

Follow your heart, I wish you the best!:heartbeat

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 19, 2008

I think all that's been said is all there is to say, really. Just wondering one thing: if you have an ADN now, how do you plan to get a BSN in only two semesters?

NsgChica · Jul 19, 2008

Why not go all the way? It can only benefit you in the long run! The benefits aren't always financial in nature. Learning new things as you know adds to you as a person. That's the whole idea of having a bachelor's degree, is to make the student more well-rounded. With that being said there was an article recently written about the declining value of a college degree, read here...http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB121623686919059307-KCj0qZQultjVDT5IFcUceXOCo4M_20080817.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

Now taking the article into perspective this is nursing we're talking about so, not to take anything for granted but there is always a need for a NURSE.