I looked to see if this would fit in another forum... not really. (no ADN--->BSN forum).
How many of my fellow aged-ADN's are in the process of, or thinking about completing their BSN?
What has been shocking to me, is that even after perusing many different programs, are the amount of classes I am having to take, and some of them seem so silly. A full year of "pre-req's" (including FT summer classes), then the actual "RN--->BSN" program through the university...which means another full year including summer.
I did a full year of "pre-req's" the first time around (an ADN is really three years, not two), but even though my college accepts my old credits, it seems academia has tacked on many more classes and required credits since the 90's.
Many of the classes (that I've tried unsuccessfully to get out of) seem to be nothing more than revenue-generators.
In that light, I wonder how many ADN's > ten years out are going to be surprised at the amount of coursework they have to do?
Is it worth it? I worry about my "experienced" colleagues that are having to try and complete BSN's while working full time. I am not having to work FT while doing this, and it's STILL a mountain of energy and time commitments.
I graduated with my ASN in December 2012 and went straight into a BSN program pretty much. I graduate this month. :) (Well, I get my diploma, I walk in December). I will tell you that I found the courses ridiculous, and nothing but giant time wasters full of busy work. I learned nothing additional, IMO, that will enhance my career as a nurse. Basically, I just paid for three more letters after my name.
Why did you pay money to a school that did not meet your needs? There are so many possible schools out there to choose from. Why not look for one that would have classes that interested you?
Sure, there are lots of "diploma mills" out there ... where you can pay for a degree with money and some meaningless busy work. But there are also more rigorous academic programs out there -- though they may not be as convenient and require harder work. Don't choose the easy school and then complain about it being not rigorous enough for you. You can't expect to have it both ways.
Many hospitals, including my own, are requiring all staff to have the BSN by a date certain. At my institution, the date is December 2014. We do not hire anyone who does not have a BSN. (And this requirement was promulgated about 2 years ago). We are also required to achieve certification in our specialty.
This is the way the world of nursing is going. One either adapts or gets left behind.
Has the ANA finally decided to make a BSN the entry into practice for all RNs? Did I miss this momentous announcement? If not, why is eveyone rushing to earn their BSN?
Not that I disagree with making a BSN the enry into practice, I also believe that LPN/LVN, should be an Associates Degree. The PTA program is an Asssociates Degree, so their is no reason that LPN/LVN, should not have the equivalent education.
That being said, I remember several years ago, here in Washington State, when the Pharmacy Board, make a Doctorate the entry into practice for Pharmacist. Pharmacists had to earn their Pharm D, to be competive for jobs. That does not mean that they had to get it.
I distinctly remember, that the hospital that I worked for, provided the necessary coursework for the Pharmacists to earn their Pharm D, at the hospitals' expense, in classrooms provided by the hospital for the Pharmacists to attend, on site
In California, at Long Beach Memorial, the hospital provides on site classes for the RNs to earn their BSN through Cal State Long Beach. Why are nurses not doing that all over the country? Why are nurses being the Martyr Marys, and just bending over and taking it??
Why are nurses scurrying to earn BSNs, at their own expense, inconvenience, etc, without the expectation of a higher paycheck, for all of their work? I know for a fact, that when PT went to a Doctorate, and OT went to a Masters, they ALL asked for, and received, higher wages commensurate to their higher levels of education!!
It is truly amazing that nurses are jumping through all of these hoops, essentially, for nothing. The, "attaboy", gets old with no reward. But I guess, that is just nursing. And we wonder why nothing ever changes!!
Has the ANA finally decided to make a BSN the entry into practice for all RNs? Did I miss this momentous announcement? If not, why is eveyone rushing to earn their BSN? Not that I disagree with making a BSN the enry into practice, I also believe that LPN/LVN, should be an Associates Degree. The PTA program is an Asssociates Degree, so their is no reason that LPN/LVN, should not have the equivalent education. That being said, I remember several years ago, here in Washington State, when the Pharmacy Board, make a Doctorate the entry into practice for Pharmacist. Pharmacists had to earn their Pharm D, to be competive for jobs. That does not mean that they had to get it. I distinctly remember, that the hospital that I worked for, provided the necessary coursework for the Pharmacists to earn their Pharm D, at the hospitals' expense, in classrooms provided by the hospital for the Pharmacists to attend, on siteIn California, at Long Beach Memorial, the hospital provides on site classes for the RNs to earn their BSN through Cal State Long Beach. Why are nurses not doing that all over the country? Why are nurses being the Martyr Marys, and just bending over and taking it?? Why are nurses scurrying to earn BSNs, at their own expense, inconvenience, etc, without the expectation of a higher paycheck, for all of their work? I know for a fact, that when PT went to a Doctorate, and OT went to a Masters, they ALL asked for, and received, higher wages commensurate to their higher levels of education!!It is truly amazing that nurses are jumping through all of these hoops, essentially, for nothing. The, "attaboy", gets old with no reward. But I guess, that is just nursing. And we wonder why nothing ever changes!!JMHO and my NY $0.02.Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRNSomewhere in the PACNW
Why should an PN school require an AA, which adds up to about 800 hours total education (12 hours per week being ful time/credits) over two years/four semesters, versus the about 2000 hours (40 hours per week over 13 months, with one two week break, about half of that in direct clinical experience, to boot)? You seem to say RNs, also should require a BSN, at the same time you say they are wasting their time getting a BSN?
I have always thought that besides perceived increased job security, people put in the effort to get their BSN so that they may pursue grad school for one reason or another.
I have always thought that besides perceived increased job security, people put in the effort to get their BSN so that they may pursue grad school for one reason or another.
But what about people that don't want to be a lifetime student, just want a job?
In fact- how many credits or degrees does it warrant to insert a catheter? Start an IV? How many degrees should it take to be able to treat a wound? How many certications should be had along with degrees to be able to assess a patient? I've started thousands of IVs, given gallons of blood transfusions, as a LPN (lowly paid nurse). Does it ever end? This talk makes me feel incompetent, but I'll take on a lot of RNs (real nurses) in a skill test any day. At what point is a nurse a nurse?
In fact- how many credits or degrees does it warrant to insert a catheter? Start an IV? How many degrees should it take to be able to treat a wound? How many certications should be had along with degrees to be able to assess a patient? I've started thousands of IVs, given gallons of blood transfusions, as a LPN (lowly paid nurse). Does it ever end? This talk makes me feel incompetent, but I'll take on a lot of RNs (real nurses) in a skill test any day. At what point is a nurse a nurse?
Slow down.....lets don't start the Lpn vs r debate.i think that u are taking what the precious poster said out of context. And to the op, having been an Lpn, now an rn adn and in rn to bsn progra, a LOT of te educational component is rediculously redundant.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I have always thought that besides perceived increased job security, people put in the effort to get their BSN so that they may pursue grad school for one reason or another.
That's where the IOM and others are funneling grant money and new scholarships. It's another component of the money-generating thing. Convince people an epic nursing shortage is right around the next corner, the corollary is well we are desperate for more goodies for ourselves in the form of loan forgiveness and scholarships for post-graduate degrees! What they don't mention or explain who taught the students comprising the 62% increase in new graduates between 2002 and 2009, the largest cohort ever observed.
In fact- how many credits or degrees does it warrant to insert a catheter? Start an IV? How many degrees should it take to be able to treat a wound? How many certications should be had along with degrees to be able to assess a patient? I've started thousands of IVs, given gallons of blood transfusions, as a LPN (lowly paid nurse). Does it ever end? This talk makes me feel incompetent, but I'll take on a lot of RNs (real nurses) in a skill test any day. At what point is a nurse a nurse?
I agree with EVERYTHING you just said. I was an LPN for 24 years before returning for the RN. I had no choice because economic changes caused a lot of cancellations at my hospital job and no other hospital would hire me....I was met with the usual, "you're just an LPN; we want RNs". Now that I'm looking to relocate, most of the hospital jobs say "BSN required" even though a lot of them say, "BSN preferred". Fortunately, my hospital is not requiring ASN or BSN 'yet'; only assessing experience for LPNs and degrees for other potential employees, being that this is a teaching hospital. The hospital that I worked at when I was an LPN-turned-RN did at company-wide survey, right after I passed the NCLEX, of how many of their RNs held BSN degrees. Lightbulb came on! So, I've been casually pursuing the BSN before being 'made' to do it with the threat of my job over my head.
Nursing school is not the easiest thing to do, nor is accepting change. I made the change when doing it was on my terms, not anyone else's, and I imposed my own deadlines. That alleviated a whole lotta stress. If all goes as planned, I will be in my final BSN requirement (capstone) in January. Basically, I took the offensive with obtaining the ASN and pursuing the BSN.....made it my game instead of theirs. So now, if the norm begins the 'BSN withing 4 years' or get out', I'm good.
By the way, I did an online LPN-RN bridge program....took less than a year to have the RN. Doing the RN-BSN the same way. And I was one of those who was very content being an LPN. With my years of experience, I was making more than a lot of RNs. So I never saw myself going back to school for anything. Unfortunately, things change sometimes. And, in my case, ALL of this has transpired over the last 4 years come August 18th (that's when I took my very first exam in an ASN program). I took a year off because of life's usual intereference but back for the home stretch now.
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
I would do it if someone else would pay for it. However, at age 50, I do not think that debt would be a wise investment. I am not a hospital nurse though.
llg, PhD, RN
13,469 Posts
Why did you pay money to a school that did not meet your needs? There are so many possible schools out there to choose from. Why not look for one that would have classes that interested you?
Sure, there are lots of "diploma mills" out there ... where you can pay for a degree with money and some meaningless busy work. But there are also more rigorous academic programs out there -- though they may not be as convenient and require harder work. Don't choose the easy school and then complain about it being not rigorous enough for you. You can't expect to have it both ways.