Need help from new BSN grad

April13RN · Dec 1, 2009

Umm our clinicals are spread out over a longer period of time. I would need to know more about your ADN program to know how different it is.

SummitRN, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2009

Wait... what are they asking you???

Katie5 · Dec 1, 2009

Wait... what are they asking you???

I'm not entirely sure, but I think he means scope of practise. What can BSN do, that an ADN cannot do and why is that so? That's what I gleaned from it, could be wrong.

christieb01 · Dec 1, 2009

I just graduated last week- so I haven't actually worked yet but I can tell you about our program. I had three "writing intensive" classes in nursing- classes in which I had 10-20 pg papers to write in addition to care plans, etc. I also had several classes which we were told aren't always included in the ADN programs. These were Community nursing (included classroom and clinical), Policy, Leadership, Informatics, Cultural awareness class, and ethics. I think some of these classes are offered with some ADN programs. Hope this helps. Feel fee to ask any questions.

Steve Hatch · Dec 1, 2009

What the dear professor is asking is unclear. If he was asking whether there was differentiated care on a unit between ADN and BSN graduates, it would be clear. But he seems to be asking it in reference to education.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 1, 2009

I'm not entirely sure, but I think he means scope of practise. What can BSN do, that an ADN cannot do and why is that so? That's what I gleaned from it, could be wrong.

If this was so the essay would be a one liner... ADNs and BSNs have the same scope of practice. They are both RNs so they can do the same things. :up:

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 1, 2009

what the dear professor is asking is unclear. if he was asking whether there was differentiated care on a unit between adn and bsn graduates, it would be clear. but he seems to be asking it in reference to education.

i am getting the same. i am in a bsn program now and the only differences for me are more term papers and additional courses as listed by the above poster. scope of practice will be the same for me when i graduate (still a licensed rn), however some employers (including the military) will allow me more opportunities due to the additional term papers and leadership courses.

OhBoy123 · Dec 1, 2009

The scope of practice for both graduates is the same. The difference between the two degrees comes into play with career advancement. In order to move into management type positions etc. A BSN degree is needed. Also in most cases you will need a bsn to move onto graduate school. I did notice when I graduated in may many employers stated they were interested in hiring bsn grads, which worked in my favor, but overall the difference upon graduation is negligible.

Steve Hatch · Dec 1, 2009

My understanding of differentiated practice is that it differentiates who does what based on their education, experience, and competence. So a BSN would be assigned the more critical tasks, and the ADN would do lesser tasks... sort of a stretching out of the line from UAP/CNA to LPN to RN and now within RN. I gather that BSNs have done more research, taken statistics, and written more. Differentiated practice isn't mandated, but there are those who advocate for it. How this all bears on my professor's question still escapes me.

nohika · Dec 1, 2009

My understanding of differentiated practice is that it differentiates who does what based on their education, experience, and competence. So a BSN would be assigned the more critical tasks, and the ADN would do lesser tasks... sort of a stretching out of the line from UAP/CNA to LPN to RN and now within RN. I gather that BSNs have done more research, taken statistics, and written more. Differentiated practice isn't mandated, but there are those who advocate for it. How this all bears on my professor's question still escapes me.

To be honest (and I'm not a nurse), I don't think that it is how it works. BSN grads and ADN grads (in many cases, especially floor nursing) do /the exact same job/. Neither of them take more critical or less critical patients (as far as my understanding goes).

Calibean · Dec 1, 2009

Just skimmed through the replies so if this has already been covered, sorry! In a BSN program, along with all the courses that you take that are the same as those in a ADN program, the BSN nurse also completes courses and clinicals in community health. Community health positions normally require that you have a BSN versus an ADN. In addition some states provide BSN prepared nurses with a PHN (Public health nurse) to put after their name. I believe it only requires only paying a fee since BSN nurses have already completed training in community health during school. Hope that helps!