Non-nursing B.S. what's my move B.S.N or ADN??

nurse2be in ny · Oct 6, 2003

Originally posted by maggiesma
I disagree here....a fast track program usually is for someone who already is an RN...

I think what was meant by "fast-track" was accelerated, correct me if I'm wrong. I'm applying to one of the accelerated programs for non-nurses myself. If you can work it out financially, I think the BSN would be the route to go.

RN2FNP · Oct 6, 2003

Reply to your BSN question. Whether you get a ADN or a BSN

you will be in school for two years. The ADN takes two years, then you sit for the exam. With your previous B.S. degree, you

qualify for an Accelerated BSN degree program where you will

be done in two years, then sit for the exam. If you are going to

be in school for two years either way, go for the BSN. You will

end up way ahead of the game, girl. If you choose to get a Master's degree in the future, which I did, you will be happy you

got your BSN. Good luck.

lulu4 · Oct 8, 2003

Thank you all for your responses, it has greatly helped. I do think I will be applying to an Accelerated BSN program, probably Mount St. Mary's, Azusa Pacific and Loma Linda University since there is not to many to many to pick from in Southern California.

Many thanks and best of luck to all of you :)

SanFranSRNA · Oct 8, 2003

Hey Lulu..

i'm also in socal and the only accelerated program is at St. Mary's.

Azusa and Loma require RN.

ainz · Oct 8, 2003

I get flamed alot for my view on this. Here is a question in response to your comment that you already have a BS and is a BSN necessary to become a nurse.

If you already had a doctoral degree and wanted to be a medical doctor, would it be necessary to go to medical school to get yet another doctoral degree?

Get the BSN. If you already have the prerequisites it will take the same time as the ADN. We really need to professionalize nursing and higher education is one way to do it.

Get the BSN.

hllybenn · Oct 8, 2003

Ditto as a lot of people- same boat- BS and a Masters and the accelerated degrees (BSN) made so much more sense for me. 11 months I did and have a BSN and now an RN (officially as of this morning-I passed my boards on monday). Look around there are a lot of accelerated programs out there- in my area alone there are 4. When you already have all those credits why not put it towards another BS- like transfering... The longest 2nd degre program in my area is 14 months!

Good Luck! (p.s. I would do it all again- cause I am now an RN)

Holly

SJSU_Mami · Oct 10, 2003

You asked the difference between ADN and BSN training. From my experience at school, BSN nurses learn and focus on more theory. We are told that as BSN nurses we learn with more depth about how diseases progress, what causes them, etc. We learn the reasons WHY we do the hands on care we do. We are taught to understand WHY certain occurances are expected. We don't just say, yes this person needs his insulin shot. BSN nurses know the general physiology behind it. BSN programs take a more theoretical experience rather than hands on, which ADN nurses get more of. Yes, we get paid the same. Yes, we do the same work. But if you want to go higher into advanced practice nursing, a BSN degree might be exactly what you need. Hope this helps...

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 10, 2003

Originally posted by SJSU_Mami
You asked the difference between ADN and BSN training. From my experience at school, BSN nurses learn and focus on more theory. We are told that as BSN nurses we learn with more depth about how diseases progress, what causes them, etc. We learn the reasons WHY we do the hands on care we do. We are taught to understand WHY certain occurances are expected. We don't just say, yes this person needs his insulin shot. BSN nurses know the general physiology behind it. BSN programs take a more theoretical experience rather than hands on, which ADN nurses get more of. Yes, we get paid the same. Yes, we do the same work. But if you want to go higher into advanced practice nursing, a BSN degree might be exactly what you need. Hope this helps...

OK I HAVE TO INTERJECT HERE, so I will don my flame suit and say it: This is what you as a BSN student are TOLD you learn over and above ADN programs, however this is inaccurate. WE spent a LOT of time on patho-phys in my ADN program. HOURS...and it was incorporated into our careplans which in themselves took HOURS to write. WE ALSO KNOW THE PHYSIOLOGY BEHIND THE INTERVENTIONS WE DO.....e.g. why insulin works and how and when to withhold etc. We learn how diseases are inter-related, e.g. how CHF and chronic renal failure are related in the same patient, etc. Gosh, I hate that BSN's are taught they are the only ones taught the "why's" of professional nursing. ARE YOU A NURSE YET??? HAVE you met an ADN RN yet? Likely not, making this broad statement.

I am sorry, this should not be a BSN versus ADN thread, but just don't believe everything you are told at school, ok??? In this case, you are wrong!!!! (and yes i would know, being in a bridge ADN-BSN program, I CAN draw comparisons).

I agree with the others when they say pursue the BSN, but not because you will be a more prepared professional nurse but because it is a logical career path for this case.

GOOD LUCK in your studies!!! GO FOR IT!!!

SJSU_Mami · Oct 10, 2003

Yes, I have met many ADN nurses; I work with them all the time in clinical. I KNOW they are also taught patho in school, but I notice differences when I work with them at the hospital. I'm not going solely by what I'm told at school. BSN nurses are taught more in depth, period. Many of the things we all learn are best learned out in the field. We all do hours of careplans. My main point was that BSN is mostly theory, not hands on. Our nursing program isn't packed into 2 years; it's 3. Obviously, both ADN and BSN programs produce great nurses, but they take a different approach.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 10, 2003

specifically what differences do you notice? i am curious. where i work, no one knows a BSN from an AD at all...really.

you can't tell unless you ask. so i wonder what you mean.