Planning to get RN, should I get my BSN?

Gently.me · Oct 3, 2011

I think a BSN is really appropriate if you want to be an administrator, or move on up with education (masters, ANP, PA, etc).

I work at a neurosurgery center and we have several RNs who have BSNs, and Several who do not. They can do the same. I dont think there is a difference in pay in that particular situation either.

I always like more education, and it adds more letters to your name. Rn, BSN. I am an LPN looking to get into RN school next year, and I plan on going right on through until I get my bachelors. Then take a break, then get my NP. Good luck with everything!

NightAngelle · Oct 3, 2011

Check out the BSN in 10 initiative. http://www.americannursetoday.com/article.aspx?id=5272&fid=5244

Here is my first tip as an ex-ADN, now BSN. Don't do anything just because anyone else has done it before. Always do things that are backed by scientific evidence. This is what will eventually gain us respect as professionals. Start by making the decision to get your BSN. :)

Annals of Nursing · Oct 3, 2011

BSN of course. Sicne you have BA, try looking into accelerated BSN or ARNP. I don't know what you are planning to do with license, but BSN makes it easier to get a job too. ADN people limited facilities they can work for (at least where I live).

Flo., BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2011

Depending on where you live, the hospitals may have already made the decision for you. Many areas will not hire without a BSN or above. If you a BS you can do an accelerated program. Just curious what does one do with a geriatrics degree?

EDnursetobe · Oct 3, 2011

It depends. I think you'd be ok either way because you already have a bachelor's degree. like one of the other posters said you could try an accelerated program.

I'd go for the BSN if you're hoping to do a graduate program in nursing like MSN or NP down the road.

Good luck!

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2011

Get your BSN. It gives you a leg up in terms of a tough hiring market. Right now my company is looking to hire another RN. They got 58 applications for one job. The role is quite varied. HR asked me how to do an initial rough screening. My response? Start with BSN only. That was our first cut and I suspect that happens fairly frequently.

aikz · Oct 3, 2011

Get your BSN, it will be easier to find a job in the future. Most hospitals want BSN & 1 or more yrs experience. I only have an associates degree and it was hard for me to find a job anywhere. Luckily the hospital where I work as an aid hired me.

MomRN0913 · Oct 3, 2011

when i became an RN, I would say no, that was in 2006. I got my Associates, found a job pretty much right away. Even moved into the ICU within 4 months.

Now, I need my BSN.

I wanted out of bedside, got a NM position by reccomendation. Well, that didn't work out (poorly administrated start-up LTACH)

Now I am out of work. Trying not to go back to bedside for a few reasons.

Everyone really prefers or requires a BSN.

Hospitals are trying to gain a magnet status now, and it requires a certain percentage of BSN's as a whole and since there are ADN's already working, they are mainly looking to hire BSN's.

I wanted to work for a particular homecare company. Though maybe 5 years of critical care experience might be helpful. Nope, BSN graduates are excepted, a 5 year critical care RN with management experience is a no go.

So, go for the gusto.

TheDreamJourney · Oct 3, 2011

Hello, my life sounds a little similar to yours. I going to become a Certified Nurses Aid in 2 weeks and will start working at a nursing home, hopefully sooner than later. However, I have a BA in pyschology. I applied to a lot of nursing schools and got accepted into an accelerated bsn program....So, i'll be getting my bsn in 15 months instead of 4 years. Since you also have a bachelors I say you go for accelerated program and graduate in a couple of months with your bsn!! A lot of students new to the nursing profession are doing it. I was thinking about getting my associates with the diploma in nursing...but after I spoke to my CNA instructer (whos an RN), she advised me to go for my Bachelors. She said that getting a job in nursing is becoming competitive and most hospitals prefer a bachelors. Not that associates in nursing is bad, I have respect for them and they are also RNs in their own right. But now everything is more competitive and I advise you to go for the accelerated bsn since you have a bachelors already.

iPink, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2011

I'm not a nurse yet, but I agree you should get your BSN. I also have a BA and after much research and speaking to current nurses (both RNs and LPNs) who advised me to do an ABSN, I went in full force. That has been the best advice since some of the nurse managers at the hospitals where I do clinicals said they only hire BSN nurses.

All the best.

noahsmama · Oct 3, 2011

I have a BS in a different field and went the accelerated BSN route for nursing school. I'm really glad I did! I was applying to both ADN and BSN programs and had decided to go to whichever school I got into first. I was under the mistaken impression that BS + ADN equals a BSN, and only found out halfway through nursing school that that's not the case, so I'm lucky that the program that accepted me first was the accelerated BSN program. A BSN is required for public health nursing so I couldn't do my current job without it -- I had no idea when I entered nursing school that I would like PH nursing, much less that I would end up doing it as a career. Getting the BSN gives you more options, and accelerated BSN programs are actually faster than ADN programs. Only downside is that accelerated BSN programs tend to be much more expensive than ADN programs, so that's something to consider.

Good luck!