Put down for ADN program

[all4ofus, ASN, RN]

Anyone else get crap from nurses at work for being in an ADN and not a BSN program? There's one nurse at work who constantly tries to belittle me. If I haven't learned something yet, she makes these snide little remarks like, "Huh, and I thought ADN and BSN programs were supposed to be the same," or "Don't ADN programs teach _____ too?" First of all, I am only halfway through, and second, I never said the programs are the same (I guess someone else did, in the past?), and third of all, we all take the same test with the state boards in the end! Grrrrrr!!!!!!!!

[chicagoing, ADN, RN]

I'm not even in a nursing program yet, but it always seems like the people who put you down (saying they're somehow better than you) feel insecure with some aspect or aspects of themselves and somehow feel better when putting someone else down.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

Tell this person to get over themselves. The way they each program is taught is very different. In my observations (not saying this is the same for everyone) I find that the BSN students are very smart, but lack clinical skils. On the other hand I find that the ADN students are more clinically prepared, but lack on subjects like pharmacology. I started with an ADN and went on to get my BSN. To be quite honest, the only courses I found relevant to my practice was pharmacology, pathophys, and research.

[kimka]

Depending on what state your in, doesn't matter whether you even have a BSN or ADN... why would anyone care.

[tablefor9, RN]

If this person wasn't being nasty about this, it would be about something else. There are plenty of people in nursing, and medicine, for that matter, just like this. Look at it as boundary setting practice. Enjoy!

[kyboyrn]

First of all let me say I am an advocate for as much education as possible. I have 5 degrees (AA, AS, ADN, BSN, MSN-Nurse practitioner) but I have said this before and I'll say it again: you learn to become a nurse once you are one. Nursing school, whether associate degree or bachelor degree programs, teach you the basics. One program may teach you more of one thing, one program may be better at teaching another, but you really learn to become a nurse once you get on the floor and start treating patients in "real life." You are going to learn something new every day. Whether you have an ADN or a BSN, you should try to continue to read up on things you see or experience each day while in clinical practice. I felt I was no better as a nurse once I got my BSN. Sure, I had a few classes that helped in practice, particularly pharmacology, advanced health assessment, and patho, but as an associates prepared nurse, I could have gotten books and read and learned these things just as well on my own, or eventually learned many of the same things in practice. Experience often teaches you more than pure academia ever could. That's why there are some LPNs that have clinical skills and knowledge bases that many RNs couldn't touch. So, nurses should never put other nurses down for their degree or their program, as they may find that they run into a nurse with less education that blows them away in what they know, and runs cirlces around them on the floor. Just my two cents. I do not think that nurses should ever be REQUIRED to get a BSN, but I do think that all nurses should strive at some point to obtain their BSN for the additional education, and the sense of fulfillment. It may or may not make them a better nurse, but I'm just a supporter of as much education as possible. Still, as an NP, I don't care what education the nurses that treat my patients in the ED have, as long as they are willing to work, willing to learn, and take their job seriously and realize the seriousness of what they are doing.

[all4ofus, ASN, RN]

I worked with this same nurse again last night. This time she said a 'B' at her school is equivalent to an 'A' at mine. LOL, the *******' nerve!!! I wish I had asked her for the objective data that she is based that statement on. I think instead I just let my jaw drop.

[Guest717236]

I worked with this same nurse again last night. This time she said a 'B' at her school is equivalent to an 'A' at mine. LOL, the *******' nerve!!! I wish I had asked her for the objective data that she is based that statement on. I think instead I just let my jaw drop.

Not that it my business, but what about her patients? How is it she has so much time while on duty for peer review?

[LTV950rn]

I'd just smile and nod. Sounds like she's trying to get under your skin. Don't give her the satisfaction. What you are doing is very hard and demanding and something to be extremely proud of.