Have a Bachelors, Do I Really Need a BSN?

booter512 · Sep 6, 2018

BSNs are required within 5 years of hire in several of the Virginia hospitals. There are exceptions. Some hospitals allow ADNs to stay in the same unit until they retire with an ADN (this is a "grandfather" clause, not for new hires). My opinion: I think this is a little ridiculous. I've seen 50 year old nurses that work in critical care units not allowed to transfer to a PACU just because they didn't have their BSN. I don't believe his/her nursing judgement and/or care is going to be helped by a BSN when they've been a successful nurse for 30 years. I really think nurses have been their own worst enemy over the years. In some areas (like mine), there is a real nursing shortage, yet we are turning away ADNs. I don't think that is smart. It seems we (administration, nurses other than those actually working on the unit) would rather work short as long as the nurse had their BSN. We also got rid of all LPNs at time when were already short. Fine if you start making the entry level for nursing a BSN, but for the short term, its not in the best interest of the patient.

NurseDiane · Sep 10, 2018

What I find ridiculous is that a BSN, even though they try to say that it is "focused" on nursing, is no different than other majors that have to take all the basic stuff any BS major has to take. Everybody takes 101 level courses---English, math, chemistry, etc. They all take stupid basic electives (mine were East Asian music, oceanography 1 & 2 [which I LOVED!!], astronomy, Greek mythology & some other stupid ones) and the "meat" of the major doesn't come until junior year. Sure, for nursing you have to take anatomy & physiology, statistics, microbiology, pharmacology as pre reqs---but you take those in both ADN and BSN degrees. Nursing students at 4 year college don't take any specialized nursing courses or step into a hospital until their junior year.

If you completed pre-reqs for BSN, you can probably have them transferred & do an accelerated BSN program. The only courses you are going to need are the nursing ones--I assume you have already taken anatomy & physiology, chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, psychology. If you have all of the pre-reqs, transfer them over so all you have to do is the nursing stuff. You can probably be done in less than 2 years.

Froggybelly · Sep 16, 2018

If you are sure you want to be a nurse, BSN entry is going to be the way to go. You probably have a lot of the courses done and it will make you more attractive to recruiters. Alternately, if you are interested in a bedside healthcare career but don't want to do another bachelor's degree, look into something like surgical assisting at the master's level, or graduate level professional schools.

holisticallyminded · Sep 16, 2018

I enrolled in a BSN program. I have a BS in nutrition. When I realized it was not only so similar (clinical coursework focus is changed from clinical nutrition to nursing with patient care ideology remaining the same) but that my dietetics coursework involved far more science at the graduate level (5 year degree), I dropped it as a waste of my time. I have never had difficulty getting a job anywhere and I'm in Seattle. Whatever position I might be missing out on because hiring managers don't understand that a nursing BSN is a lesser degree does not deserve me. And as nursing shortages grow, the pendulum will indeed swing the other way. Don't let anyone use fear to swindle you out of your money.

claretree · Sep 17, 2018

Hi- I have an MS in Biology and an associates in nursing and have recruiters calling me constantly to work- you need clinical bedside experience not more nursing theory and management courses. instead of losing money and your precious time spend your off hrs loving your life and family and studying clinical nursing on your own terms. You already have a bachelors degree! Don't let the hospital administrators bully you. I agree with the above post that the trend will swing in the other direction. My friends in oncology and in the ICU and tele floors (I am a float RN) regret starting their BSN because they feel like they are learning so little. Best of luck and stay strong :-)

booter512 · Sep 17, 2018

As you progress in nursing, having your BSN will help you a lot when you get on a Clinical Ladder. Also, in some places, you get paid more. In a lot of places, you have to have your BSN within 5 years of hire. Here, in Virginia, people without BSNs are "grandfathered" so they do not have to get their BSN, but they aren't allowed to change units within the hospital. In other words, they are allowed to finish their careers in their current unit. Working float pool may be different. Not sure what they require of them, but its not as much. Most float nurses don't get paid extra to get on a Clinical Ladder.

Robmoo, ADN, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2018

You should look at BSN as a second bachelors degree programs. Several colleges in the DFW area have them and they are usually 18 months long. This means that it would take you less time to earn your BSN than an ADN.

MilesRN, BSN, MSN, DNP · Sep 17, 2018

Good luck to you on your decision. Since you have a bachelor's might you consider an RN to MSN track? I recommend looking to an MSN in nursing leadership and administration. This would open many other doors that a BSN may not. Best. Gregg Thompson, DNP, MSN, BSN, RN

raggedyann6 · Sep 19, 2018

Some schools require your prerequisite courses be taken in no more than 5 years before applying, so in this person's case they would not be able to transfer any of their previous courses.

MilesRN, BSN, MSN, DNP · Sep 19, 2018

Keep in mind the acceptance of previous credit varies between colleges and universities. First, having a bachelors degree makes one eligible for graduate work including a nursing master. Some colleges offer graduate entry nursing programs for those with a nonnursing undergraduate degree. Consider (online) colleges such as Excelsior College as they offer an RN-MSN program. They may grant credit for your nursing program toward the program. You will still have to take upper-level undergraduate nursing regardless of previous lower undergraduate work. Also, consider CELP exams as they offer lower cost of obtaining college credit. Generally, most colleges may not accept nursing credit courses older than 10 years. However, this is worth investigating as I obtained my BSN from a college that accepted all my previous coursework including my nursing. Do your homework and conduct an extensive search it will pay off in the end. Best to you