My personal ADN vs BSN debate in Las Vegas

vegas2009 · Dec 18, 2009

Just curious, where did you hear about NV preferring RN people w/ BSN over ADN?? Nowadays, there AREN'T any jobs at all! It's frustrating for ANY recent grad to GET jobs in NV. Whoever told you that is either lying OR on something they shouldn't be on. It's a funny statement.

For me, I decided to go to CSN because: I got accepted. If you work, it is literally impossible to do the BSN route for most people. CSN ADN program is taught just like a BSN program would be. There are less classes required but the program itself is rigorous and the grade you have to maintain is NOT easy to get.

melement · Dec 18, 2009

I have also heard this not about NV, but about all places in general. My mother in-law is a nurse practitioner in Michigan and stresses to me all the time that I have to go on and get my BSN. Right now I plan on going to CSN then going to Nevada State to do the RN-BSN.

I think employers are always going to hire someone with more education over another, unless they have more experience.

SockMonkey.ecb · Dec 18, 2009

Sorry to say I've heard the same thing. At a recent ER visit I was told that my ADN would be useless, that if one of them DOES get hired, the drs will ask for their patients to not be placed with them. My opinion? That's SOOO offensive.

That being said, CSN is supposed to be a GREAT program. And if you work and can't handle the courseload of a BSN combined with a job, then why question it? Apply to CSN, and if you get done and find that you don't have enough education, do a RN-BSN bridge program.

moneyline702 · Dec 18, 2009

see that is what i was thinking too.

moneyline702 · Dec 18, 2009

Sorry to say I've heard the same thing. At a recent ER visit I was told that my ADN would be useless, that if one of them DOES get hired, the drs will ask for their patients to not be placed with them. My opinion? That's SOOO offensive.
That being said, CSN is supposed to be a GREAT program. And if you work and can't handle the courseload of a BSN combined with a job, then why question it? Apply to CSN, and if you get done and find that you don't have enough education, do a RN-BSN bridge program.

it isnt so much i dont want a bsn later but i have to finish asap to bring an income into the household. i just want to know if it's possible to just get a position in las vegas for a year, long enough to get through the rn-bsn program at nsc?

moneyline702 · Dec 18, 2009

and if csn is so great (which i believe it is) then why is the hospital and medical community in las vegas opposed to an adn prepared rn??

vegas2009 · Dec 18, 2009

melement is right. I plan to do the same. Hopefully graduate w/ an ADN then work on my RN-BSN while working as an RN (I'm keeping a positive outlook).

Yes, Hospital/Med centers are saying this. But they're mostly hearsay. There'd been talks about states requiring a BSN now because of the unemployment crisis - too many US recent grads w/ NO jobs. Even if this is true, it's going to take a few more years to implement it. By the time NV requires it, many of us would be in some kind of RN-BSN program by then. Why worry about it now?

In my case, I don't want to STILL be working on more pre-reqs to get to schools that MAY or MAY NOT accept me (UNLV/NSC)? I don't know if I want to stay in NV myself, since I hear the medical community doesn't appreciate NV nurses much. I choose not to worry about things that I have no control over. I want the nursing work experience as soon as I can get it.

moneyline702 · Dec 19, 2009

melement is right. I plan to do the same. Hopefully graduate w/ an ADN then work on my RN-BSN while working as an RN (I'm keeping a positive outlook).
Yes, Hospital/Med centers are saying this. But they're mostly hearsay. There'd been talks about states requiring a BSN now because of the unemployment crisis - too many US recent grads w/ NO jobs. Even if this is true, it's going to take a few more years to implement it. By the time NV requires it, many of us would be in some kind of RN-BSN program by then. Why worry about it now?
In my case, I don't want to STILL be working on more pre-reqs to get to schools that MAY or MAY NOT accept me (UNLV/NSC)? I don't know if I want to stay in NV myself, since I hear the medical community doesn't appreciate NV nurses much. I choose not to worry about things that I have no control over. I want the nursing work experience as soon as I can get it.

true. and i do want a bsn eventually. but i would like to get that year of experience WHILE i work on that rn-bsn program. so that when i finish the bsn (btw finishing at the same time i would've had i gone straight through and did a bsn-only program) i will have a year of experience i can utilize for entrance to graduate programs.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2009

Sorry to say I've heard the same thing. At a recent ER visit I was told that my ADN would be useless, that if one of them DOES get hired, the drs will ask for their patients to not be placed with them. My opinion? That's SOOO offensive.

That is also utterly ridiculous.

First, the vast majority of MDs do not know what degree that you hold, and few care. MDs also do not control staffing/assignments, your nurse manager/charge nurse does.

Second, in my entire nursing career, I have never seen an MD prefer a nurse with regards to his/her degree. They pick whom they prefer on personality, skill, etc. And having worked at 5 of the top 15 hospitals in this country (including the consistantly rated #1), the MDs "prefer" those with good nursing skills, efficiency, intelligence. And as they do not know the degree, degree has little to do with that when you check the stats.

Is a BSN great to have? Certainly, but as far as MDs picking and choosing a specific degreed nurse. I have never seen that as a staffer or traveler, in 17 different facilities.

vegas2009 · Dec 19, 2009

true. and i do want a bsn eventually. but i would like to get that year of experience WHILE i work on that rn-bsn program. so that when i finish the bsn (btw finishing at the same time i would've had i gone straight through and did a bsn-only program)
Just so you know, even if you've gone through the BSN track and attempted to take ALL the pre-reqs within a year, you'd be suprised of the number of people who taught exactly like you have! So far, I haven't met anyone who finished all BSN pre-reqs within a year (honestly).
If you go straight the ADN track, it WILL take you close to two years+ to work on your RN-BSN. There are extra classes aside from A & P II and micro. On the top of my head, I'd say: Chemistry I & II, a Diversity class, PSY 201, etc. Go to the website for NSC nursing program. There are no shortcuts. Being an RN doesn't excuse you from taking both the required pre-req and BSN nursing classes. You'd see what I mean, a year is not realistic.
Either way, it's going to take you longer than ONE year to work on your pre-reqs. It's possible, but your going to have to be a complete URKEL to do it! Goodluck.

moneyline702 · Dec 19, 2009

Just so you know, even if you've gone through the BSN track and attempted to take ALL the pre-reqs within a year, you'd be suprised of the number of people who taught exactly like you have! So far, I haven't met anyone who finished all BSN pre-reqs within a year (honestly).
If you go straight the ADN track, it WILL take you close to two years+ to work on your RN-BSN. There are extra classes aside from A & P II and micro. On the top of my head, I'd say: Chemistry I & II, a Diversity class, PSY 201, etc. Go to the website for NSC nursing program. There are no shortcuts. Being an RN doesn't excuse you from taking both the required pre-req and BSN nursing classes. You'd see what I mean, a year is not realistic.
Either way, it's going to take you longer than ONE year to work on your pre-reqs. It's possible, but your going to have to be a complete URKEL to do it! Goodluck.

do you know that i took general chemistry (8 semester credits)? as i stated before, i am enrolled at unlv? maybe to absorb the requsite material i should be a somewhat urkel at least, lol. i know what additional classes are necessary. i had taken all (save for three) pre-req's & the nursing classes. i was debating schools based on perceived preferences of hiring managers. i'd hope that carolladybelle is right and it doesn't matter. i like the idea of getting a year of experience while working on the remainder of a bsn. perhaps to some a year isn't realistic, true. but there are plenty of people that perhaps have made an honest assessment of their goals. i have sat down with transfer counselors at both schools. my query is based on just seeing what the market wants. who said anything about shortcuts? i never mentioned anything about taking shortcuts. if i get an adn i would be an rn correct? where's the shortcut in that?

mr (or ms) vegas i see what you are saying about the perceived taking of a shortcut but i have tackled a lot of pre-req's. you see what i mean, to me, a year IS realistic. i do thank you for taking time to reply. it (your opinion) is appreciated. thank you again.