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.
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?
RN practice is about a lot more than technical skills (which can, in fact, be taught to about anyone, with or without a nuring background).
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
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.
To my "newer" colleagues (those with ADN's
*** Don't do it. Forget the BSN and do an RN to MSN program. Several of them, like the University of Arizona, and American Sentinal University don't even look at what classes you took to get your ADN. As long as you have an associates degree from an accredited school and meet thier work hours (no problem for you) and GPA requirements you are in. In 24 months or less you can be RN, MSN and skip all those money making (for the schools) pre-reqs.
If you are dead set on earning your BSN check out Nova Southeastern Universities RN to BSN program and WGU's.
*** Don't do it. Forget the BSN and do an RN to MSN program. Several of them, like the University of Arizona, and American Sentinal University don't even look at what classes you took to get your ADN. As long as you have an associates degree from an accredited school and meet thier work hours (no problem for you) and GPA requirements you are in. In 24 months or less you can be RN, MSN and skip all those money making (for the schools) pre-reqs.
If you are dead set on earning your BSN check out Nova Southeastern Universities RN to BSN program and WGU's.
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As of April 1, 2013, American Sentinel is now requiring Statistics and some other pre-reqs. A friend of mine from my ASN program had begun with them but pulled out due to life's issues when she was 4 courses from completion. She was really under pressure to re-enroll and update her info and credentials before April 1st, or she would have been subjected to the new curriculum. Luckily, she beat the deadline and is set to complete her program in October. ASU sent me an email since I had inquired about their program a couple of years ago, but I wasn't concerned because I already had those courses under my belt and besides, to go with them would have meant more nursing courses at the time than what I have remaining with my current program.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
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As of April 1, 2013, American Sentinel is now requiring Statistics and some other pre-reqs. A friend of mine from my ASN program had begun with them but pulled out due to life's issues when she was 4 courses from completion. She was really under pressure to re-enroll and update her info and credentials before April 1st, or she would have been subjected to the new curriculum. Luckily, she beat the deadline and is set to complete her program in October. ASU sent me an email since I had inquired about their program a couple of years ago, but I wasn't concerned because I already had those courses under my belt and besides, to go with them would have meant more nursing courses at the time than what I have remaining with my current program.
Just a friendly FYI
U of A also requires stats but not as a pre-req. They include it in the 44 credits. There are other similar programs. University of San Fransico for example.
Degree inflation is the trend these days in so many fields. You pay so much more for your education that gets you less.
Definitely! I work at a community college and the irony is that the office assistants are typically required to have bachelor degrees (so the associates we are selling cannot get you a job as a secretary here).
Colleges aren't really trying to give you job training as much as they are trying to produce "well rounded" individuals who have been exposed to a variety of classes and topics. Every teacher thinks his/her subject is the best and wants it included in the general requirements. The theory is okay for 18-year-olds who typcially don't have much life experience, but it's silly for most students and I doubt those classes make me better educated.
The BSN question is purely personal. If you have a reason to do it, then you should. But for many nurses it won't make a huge career difference. I should add though that I've loved being back in school as a middle aged mom who works full-time. It's nice to learn, meet new people, and do something for myself.
I think it is the biggest scam and rip off. Getting fleeced and for what, a credential. Going back into student loan debt when you should be saving for retirement. So we can work even longer to pay off our student loans or find our social security garnished after we are losing our pensions as well. I am so tired of how everyone is brainwashed that college is the answer to everything. Go to school get a degree if you want a secure future. Now they are requiring BA degrees for secretaries, just because they can. There are plenty of people that regret going back to school and our drowning in debt they can never repay, just to have that shiny credential. The price of college is simply outrageous and unaffordable these days unless your rich or plan to spend decades paying off your student loans. Look how many people with BA/BS in other fields couldn't get a decent paying job so now they are going back to school to be an RN. It's a never ending cycle of student loan debt! I don't want any part of that! I want to be able to retire sooner, not later and to have my house paid off.
Colleges aren't really trying to give you job training as much as they are trying to produce "well rounded" individuals who have been exposed to a variety of classes and topics. ... The theory is okay for 18-year-olds who typcially don't have much life experience, but it's silly for most students and I doubt those classes make me better educated.
Yes, this is the basic, fundamental difference between technical/vocational training and a college education. And, if the college courses aren't making you "better educated," it's because you are choosing not to take advantage of them.
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.
I didn't choose an "easy" program. I finished up my degree at a state university. :) Since I had previous college education, the only classes I needed to take were two electives and my nursing classes. I simply do not think that the classes that I took will make me a better nurse. I spent three semesters completing projects, writing papers, and researching all to earn the coveted "BSN". I am glad that I will have a four year nursing degree, as it's a necessary stepping stone if I decide I will climb the MSN ladder. But you will never convince me that these theory classes make better nurses. That's all. :)
I didn't choose an "easy" program. I finished up my degree at a state university. :) Since I had previous college education, the only classes I needed to take were two electives and my nursing classes. I simply do not think that the classes that I took will make me a better nurse. I spent three semesters completing projects, writing papers, and researching all to earn the coveted "BSN". I am glad that I will have a four year nursing degree, as it's a necessary stepping stone if I decide I will climb the MSN ladder. But you will never convince me that these theory classes make better nurses. That's all. :)
(If you didn't like "completing projects, writing papers, and researching" in your BSN completion program, you'll really hate grad school -- more of the same. That's what higher education is.)
I'm going to presume that a lot of the courses you are identifying as "revenue generators" are actually courses that reflect the difference between academic requirements for an associate's degree and those for a baccalaureate degree.
I think the classes talked about are more of the general studies courses, like literature, history, or humanities course that are required by most bachelor programs.
I like them from an educational standpoint, but I understand they don't always apply directly to nursing. However, I think they round out our education in other ways and have value in that sense.
Hey, Steve Jobs took a calligraphy course in college. How random is that? But, it fueled the idea of fonts used in computer word processing.
Never know where the good ideas will come from! (usually connecting the random dots of life experience!)
Yes, this is the basic, fundamental difference between technical/vocational training and a college education. And, if the college courses aren't making you "better educated," it's because you are choosing not to take advantage of them.
Just to clarify, community colleges and "technical/vocational" schools are actually two very different things. The 2 years of general college education that supposedly separates an associates degree from a bachelor's degree is actually done at community colleges by a significant number of bachelors graduates.
(If you didn't like "completing projects, writing papers, and researching" in your BSN completion program, you'll really hate grad school -- more of the same. That's what higher education is.)
I think hate is a strong word. The only class I truly despised was research, and that was because it consisted of mainly group work, and I'm too OCD for group work! I actually enjoy school for the most part....But definitely need a break from the classroom for a bit after this.... I went straight from ASN to BSN practically, and several years before nursing school were spent hacking away at pre-reqs while the kids were at school. I'm burned out. Give me a couple of months though, I'm sure I'll be bored and researching MSN options. I'm crazy that way. :)
My entire point was not necessarily to down play my education or career goals, but more to simply state that I do not feel that these three semesters will make me a better bedside nurse. Knowing the ins and outs of nursing theory will not make me a better bedside nurse. What it will do is open up the doors in regards to career advancement. Honestly, it's the only real reason to pursue a BSN, in my opinion.
elkpark
14,633 Posts
RN practice is about a lot more than technical skills (which can, in fact, be taught to about anyone, with or without a nuring background).