"Don't waste your time getting your BSN..."

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People are always trying to tell me that I am going to waste my time by not stopping after getting my ASN. They say that getting your BSN just gets you management positions and that it does not pay more. I am going for my masters so I can be a CNM, so I have to have my BSN anyway but, how could it be true that a person with a BSN gets the same as a person with a ASN? (Aside from the fact that working in different dept can make a difference)

Would someone tell me what ADN is?

Associate Degree in Nursing

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Is any advance education a waste of time? Even if you go to school, and never use your degree, it's still advancing the mind.

So, even if the pay isn't different, why not advance yourself? I don't think it's a waste of time.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

Could not have said it better!!!!

Is any advance education a waste of time? Even if you go to school, and never use your degree, it's still advancing the mind.

So, even if the pay isn't different, why not advance yourself? I don't think it's a waste of time.

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Is any advance education a waste of time? Even if you go to school, and never use your degree, it's still advancing the mind.

So, even if the pay isn't different, why not advance yourself? I don't think it's a waste of time.

This is where someone is suppose to say "a brain is a terrible thing to waste." :)

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This is where someone is suppose to say "a brain is a terrible thing to waste." :)

Yes, a mind is a terrible thing to waste. And even after getting that BSN, taking a class or two a year keeps one's mind sharp. :)

Grannynurse :balloons:

Once a student, always a student

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Well, I don't see my BSN degree as a waste of time. You do learn things about management, budgeting, organization, wellness and community health, professional writing, and nursing research that are not taught in ADN programs. You also learn pathophysiology and assessment skills that are more advanced than what is taught in a 2-year program.

Yes, its true that an RN is an RN, but it is also true that in many places, if you have a BSN you get first dibs at most opportunities for advancement in your nursing career, ahead of ADN-RNs who've been in nursing for many more years than you.

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I agree that you need to do what's best for you. I'm in a BSN program that will take me 2 1/2 years (I have an associates degree, but it was not in nursing). For me that worked out best.

When I was doing my pre-req's at a local CC, I had many classmates that were pursuing an ADN that had a B.S. and one also had a M.S. The ADN program fit their needs and goals better than a BSN or accelerated MSN program.

Decide what you want and find the best path for you. All this debate about who/what is better is counter-productive.

I also had an associates degree in business, a lot of the classes I had taken went towards my pre-requisites to apply the the ADN program. I checked out the BSN programs, because I definitely want to further my education beyond RN

From what I saw it seems like it could be faster or maybe easier to get the RN, then take on your RN - BSN those programs don't appear to be as strenuous for those already working in the field.

I think ADNS are good for people in our position to start off on, so that you can get through the program get your RN and start earning some money, and get experience in the field while you are continuing on in school.

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Specializes in MICU.

"yes, there is a differance in bsn and adn, more booklearning. the best rn is an aid which went to adn then on to the bsn or the diploma trained nurse. a streight through bsn has only books to rely on with little to no acutal patient contact."

first of all, the word is "straight". you would know that if perhaps you had more "booklearning". the following definitions are from websters:

1a. free from curves, bends, angles, or irregularities

2 a : lying along or holding to a direct or proper course or method

bsn is about professionalism. as the adn stated at my clinical today, "we [adn] are taught to do and you [bsn] are taught to think". not my words.

"no actual patient contact" - not. read up on the facts before you disresect others' chose paths (of hard work). everyone will be partial to the path that they chose. if you chose to become an adn nurse, then naturally, you will think that is the best path. if you chose to go the bsn route, you will think that is the best route. however, until you have walked in another's shoes, don't say crap like "bsn has only books to rely on with little to no acutal patient contact." it is not true and it only makes people mad.

lifelongstudent -

wasting time and 45k for a bsn, evidently

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Sorry but at my school we're taught to do both. Thank god . :stone

Z

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Specializes in CVICU.

I am currently in a BSN program and I work at my local hospital. I know great ADN nurses, as well as BSN nurses. At this hospital, there is a $1 pay difference, but BSN are the requirements for any nurse manager, etc. position. My hospital no longer hires LVN's. Here, the badges clearly show the difference. NAME, RN or NAME, RN , BSN.

As far as differences, my mother graduated 5 years ago with an ADN degree. She had approx. 10 hours a week of clincials, and at my program it averages at about 30 hours a week of clinicals. She had 2 lectures a week, whereas BSN has 3-4 a week. BSN's just have to take extra classes (nursing research, pathophysiology, management).

Many people live in areas where it is not possible to get a BSN so this is understandable. Cost is also a reason. Community College is cheaper than a university, by far. After you graduate, you can easily do a 1 1/2 year online BSN program. If you have no intentions on getting your MSN as a NP or CRNA, etc, than an ADN is great.

I do not understand why people say that ADN's have more experience starting out, because (at my school vs the two local ADN programs) BSN's generally do 3 times the clincial.

Just my thoughts...

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
BSN is about professionalism. As the ADN stated at my clinical today, "we [ADN] are taught to DO and you [bSN] are taught to THINK".

It's remarks like this that further the divide. If peopel would stop making these know-it-all-look-down-my-nose-my-degree's-better-than-yours comments, the nursing world would be a little more pleasant to work at.:rolleyes:

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[quote name=lifelongstudent

bsn is about professionalism. as the adn stated at my clinical today, "we [adn] are taught to do and you [bsn] are taught to think". not my words.

so then who is going around to the hospital units and doing all the "thinking" for the poor adn's who are merely "doing"?

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