Is it true? BS + RN does not = BSN?

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jun 21, 2011

I would look at some of the posts on this forum re: Master's Entry nursing programs. These programs are not looked upon very well by hospital administrators/hiring managers, as there is less clinical time than even some ADN programs. No need to repeat all the info here, just search for Master's Entry.

Not true at all. My clinical hours were the same as the ADN and BSN programs in my state. Clinical hours needed are not set by the specific school/program. Its determined by the BON. And generally speaking, the only ill I have heard spoken about direct entry Masters alumni are in some posts/threads here. My whole class is gainfully employed, with a vast majority of them right after they sat for their boards, with the rest following a few months after. I fell into the latter group, but I was also 5 months pregnant by the time I sat for my boards and started interviewing. But as of now, I am working per diem and interviewing for an additional per diem job.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jun 21, 2011

Re the direct entry MSN, I have heard negative words about it too from NMs.

Those programs are getting a bad rap. Nursing can be so ignorant of the ways of the world - which is scary. In other professions it is common for students to continue on to obtain a masters prior to entering the working world. If you have the means, many feel it better to condense the edu part instead of going back to school while working. Why not in nursing? No Hospital is going to hire some nurse to an advanced level nursing position when it is obvious they have no prior experience as a nurse. But, for some reason the whole thing scares the heck out of the "little people" which is a very derogatory term I use for the nursing decision makers these days, BTW. I guess they are afraid that they will hire the wrong person for an open position or something?! LOL.

miss81, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2011

Ok, this is a stupid question but I noticed that people are making a distinction between BSN and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. We have BN around here so I always thought that BSN stood for Bachelor of Science of Nursing, can someone clarify for me?

anie10 · Jun 21, 2011

"I would look at some of the posts on this forum re: Master's Entry nursing programs. These programs are not looked upon very well by hospital administrators/hiring managers, as there is less clinical time than even some ADN programs. No need to repeat all the info here, just search for Master's Entry."

Thank you, Jelly221 ~ my intention is not to work private sector, where the competition is fierce and most are hired based on who they know, not what they know. If public sector is willing to take people from UoP, i am more than positive they will take my entry level Masters' program from a worldclass California State University...

Cathylady · Jun 21, 2011

My daughter is in a BSN program at a state university. She was the one that told me that she heard that if you have a BS degree and go to an accelerated RN program at a university, not at a community college, you may end up with a RN but not a BSN.

anie10 · Jun 21, 2011

i think that is going to be true of any program that doesn't guarantee a BSN at the end of the program...

I think it's a situation where people become so accustomed to using certain verbiage to describe something, not cognizant that the terms change... Like when people call SUV's "trucks" ~ most will get the jist of the description, but there will be some on either side that need the specificity of the correct term.

Moogie · Jun 21, 2011

My daughter is in a BSN program at a state university. She was the one that told me that she heard that if you have a BS degree and go to an accelerated RN program at a university, not at a community college, you may end up with a RN but not a BSN.

Most universities do not offer associate degree programs. Some do but most don't.

Accelerated BSN programs are intensive programs, many less than 18 months in length, for persons who have previous bachelor's or higher degrees in other fields. While some programs offer a BS with a major in nursing (or a BN or a BA) the end result is the same.

Many people get confused about this terminology and think that an accelerated program is the same as a completion program. A program enables a nurse to get to the next higher educational level without having to repeat previous nursing content. For example, an LPN-ADN completion program would build on the nurse's previous education and experience and not repeat basics such as medication administration. An RN to BSN program builds on ADN or diploma nursing education. A bridge program allows the nurse to "bridge" more easily and skip a step. For example, there are RN to MSN programs that allow the ADN or diploma nurse to take the bachelor's content and then move into graduate work. Sometimes bridge programs offer a bachelor's degree upon completion of the bachelor's coursework. Sometimes they don't. There are also BSN to PhD programs; again, some confer the MSN after completion of the master's coursework and some don't.

Your daughter would be wise to check this out with her school if she has questions about what degree she will receive. If she is indeed getting an associate's degree at her school, she might want to look at other programs so she can get a BSN (BS in nursing, BN, or BA in nursing.) A BS degree in any field other than nursing plus an ADN or diploma does NOT equal a BSN, BS in nursing, BN, or BA in nursing. In other words, if an employer specifies that only BSN nurses may apply for a position, the ADN or diploma grad who has a BS in another field will not meet that qualification.

Does it make any more sense to you? It is very confusing...

Cathylady · Jun 22, 2011

Moogie,

My daughter is in a traditional BSN program.

Thank you for clearing up so many misconceptions about degrees in regards to nursing.

My daughter's point was that some programs that offer BS to RN programs do not give you a BSN. I was surprise to hear that. I thought if you had a BS and went to an excellerated program the end result was a BSN.

Cathylady

Moogie · Jun 22, 2011

Cathy, you're welcome but I am not sure I cleared up any confusion! There are so many different nursing degrees that it's hard to keep track of all of them. :confused:

chestrockwell · Jul 9, 2011

What in the world is everyone confused about here? Lets break it down: "BSN"- A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing. Its not a license, not a title. "BSN" is just some weird abbreviation that nurses made up to feel special. Its not a specific degree separate from any other B.S. degree. A B.S. in Mathematics is not called a "BSM". A B.A. in English is not a "BAE"... and so on. Anyone who says a BS with a concentration in nursing is different from a "BSN" is blowing smoke up your a**. This obsession that some nurses have with degrees and credentials is borderline neurotic, sad, and pathetic. An MD doesnt sign his name "John Smith BS, MD". He signs MD, which is his title, granted after passing the boards. Same with "RN". BSN is not a title. I might as well sign my name ChestRockwell, 5th grade graduate, 8th grade graduate, HS graduate, BS, RN. That makes just as much sense as ChestRockwell, BSN, RN.

Cathylady · Jul 9, 2011

FYI, Master's Degrees are identified such as mine is a Master's degree in computer science education so it's written MCSE, MBA (business administration), MEd (education).

Nothing to get all fired up about, I just wanted to know what the difference is. I realize as I have been told multiple times that an RN is an RN is an RN BUT, degrees are different and I was just interested in the different BS RN degrees.

There always seems to be so much defensiveness on Allnursesover regarding any topics having to do with RN degrees.

I was only curious.

ZippyGBR, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2011

My daughter is in a BSN program and she just heard that soon students that have a BS in another field and go through an excellerated program they will graduate with a RN NOT a BSN?
Interesting.

being a Registered Nurse is due to meeting the pre-reg education and training requirements and passing the examinations required by the licencing organisation - for the US this means the state board of Nursing and the NCLEX ... for the UK this means successfully completing an NMC approved program ... and maintaining the requirements to remain registered

a BSN is a Academic degree - a Bachelor of Science in Nursing it is not the only way to get the education to be an RN . iut is like all degrees an award for life and does not depend on maintaining registration.