"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)

Specializes in mostly in the basement.
Is the horse dead yet???????????????????

No, and it won't be, at least for me until every Diplmona/ADN/BSN would just GET IT that it's not about how great your education/clinical time/blah blah is or was. It's NOT about who make a better nurse and enough with the anecdotal "well my school does this....".

It's about being considered the lowest rung on the healthcare ladder (based on our minimally required education) and being compensated as if this were true. It continues to me amaze me to watch nurses FIGHT, actually ARGUE to keep the standards down while continually being shown disrepect from the public our employers and in our paychecks. Well, some of your paychecks.

I only drop into this discussion every once in a while. The sheer number of mind numbing arguments FOR keeping this "profession" below all else in the workplace despite our education and responsibility is a guaranteed BP elevator. They just DONT GET IT!!!

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No, and it won't be, at least for me until every Diplmona/ADN/BSN would just GET IT that it's not about how great your education/clinical time/blah blah is or was. It's NOT about who make a better nurse and enough with the anecdotal "well my school does this....".

It's about being considered the lowest rung on the healthcare ladder (based on our minimally required education) and being compensated as if this were true. It continues to me amaze me to watch nurses FIGHT, actually ARGUE to keep the standards down while continually being shown disrepect from the public our employers and in our paychecks. Well, some of your paychecks.

I only drop into this discussion every once in a while. The sheer number of mind numbing arguments FOR keeping this "profession" below all else in the workplace despite our education and responsibility is a guaranteed BP elevator. They just DONT GET IT!!!

I couldn't agree more. I wish that I had a nickel every time I was told, "what do you GIRLS expect? You only went to school for two years"? I rest my case. And thank you for stating what I have been saying for years, and taken alot of heat over. I am glad that I am not the only one to see the farce that has been drummed into nurses' heads since the beginning of time.

It never ceases to amaze me how nurses can be do gullible! Just look at the source where this nonsense came from! The same hospital administration that treats nurses like dirt. That deliberatly understaffs and expects you to do the work of three people, get no breaks, while they take two hour lunches, get out on time, get every Christmas off, etc. And you believe these people when the tell you that, a nurse, is a nurse, is a nurse, and you ALL do the same job, so WHY should that uppity BSN get paid more than you?

Can't you all see it is the hospital who has a VESTED interest in keeping nurses, "barefoot and pregnant". If we all had a BSN, then we would ask for more money, and respect. And just like the PTs, OTs, Pharmacist did, and would demand to have ADN to BSN programs on site in the hospital, like they have done for the pharmacists. Do you really think they want to spend more money on NURSES? Can you just consider the source?

They are counting on nurses needing to validate their self worth and self importance, by not supporting a BSN. They need it to make sure that they get their hefty bonusess at the end of the year, while you work Christmas again for the fourth year in a row. With nothing to show for the hard work that you put in all year, but a plastic "attaboy".

Think out side the box for a change. JMHO, and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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I couldn't agree more. I wish that I had a nickel every time I was told, "what do you GIRLS expect? You only went to school for two years"? I rest my case. And thank you for stating what I have been saying for years, and taken alot of heat over. I am glad that I am not the only one to see the farce that has been drummed into nurses' heads since the beginning of time.

It never ceases to amaze me how nurses can be do gullible! Just look at the source where this nonsense came from! The same hospital administration that treats nurses like dirt. That deliberatly understaffs and expects you to do the work of three people, get no breaks, while they take two hour lunches, get out on time, get every Christmas off, etc. And you believe these people when the tell you that, a nurse, is a nurse, is a nurse, and you ALL do the same job, so WHY should that uppity BSN get paid more than you?

Can't you all see it is the hospital who has a VESTED interest in keeping nurses, "barefoot and pregnant". If we all had a BSN, then we would ask for more money, and respect. And just like the PTs, OTs, Pharmacist did, and would demand to have ADN to BSN programs on site in the hospital, like they have done for the pharmacists. Do you really think they want to spend more money on NURSES? Can you just consider the source?

They are counting on nurses needing to validate their self worth and self importance, by not supporting a BSN. They need it to make sure that they get their hefty bonusess at the end of the year, while you work Christmas again for the fourth year in a row. With nothing to show for the hard work that you put in all year, but a plastic "attaboy".

Think out side the box for a change. JMHO, and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

I would also like to add, that continuing to refuse to reward nurses with BSNs more money in the workplace, only fuels the exodus from the bedside of these nurses. We all want a return on our investment, and when there is none to be had in bedside nursing, guess what? BSNs leave for greener pasteurs. As people do in other industries.

And then to add insult to injury, BSNs are chastised for leaving bedside nursing because we, "are too good to wipe buts". Nothing could be further from the truth. We leave because we are not rewarded for our education. But of course, this is exactlly what the hospitals want. And nurses just go along with this tactic and play right into their hands. And the rift continues, with "divide and conquer". It still works.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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As the daughter of union organizer I learned early that this is one trick that corporate America relies on...dividing the workers against each other. Not that I am necessarily advocating unionism for nurses, my father even said the best worker friendly environment would have no need for a union. I agree that the BSN should be required for every nurse. But at the same time with the shortage of nurses, we cant afford to lose the nurses that ADN programs provide. Why not require that within 5 years of an ADN program all nurses must have a BSN to be licensed? Having said that, my own entry into the field will be an ADN, followed by my earning a BSN. If I had had to get a BSN as the entry into the field (1)I couldnt have afforded it (2)There would have been fewer entry slots available in this part of the country(Currently we have 4 ADN programs, 1 Diploma School, 3 BSN programs)(3) I may not have been able to space out my education(taking 3 years to finish a 2 year ADN)as I have.

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Specializes in Everytype of med-surg.

Just my .02-btw first time posting...

I wish that nurses in general realize how insecure and petty they look when attacking other people's credientals. Personally, I do have a BSN, everyone in my family has a four year degree, it was stressed to me that I should do the same and I do hope to become an NP. HOWEVER, yes I do think a diploma, ASN, LPN, etc. can all be great nurses. But, if you are the less educated one, who are you to tell someone their education was in vain? Personally, I think a nurse manager on our floor wasted alot of time and money to get her MSN in management when it is possible in our hospital to get the position with an ASN. Yet, I keep my mouth shut because I think I would look like a moron being the less educated one that I think her MSN was a waste when she is making more money, has better hours than me, etc.

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Specializes in My first yr. as a LVN!.

ADN is the Associates Degree in Nursing!

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Specializes in Everytype of med-surg.
ADN is the Associates Degree in Nursing!

Oops sorry!

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ADN is the Associates Degree in Nursing!

...and ASN is Associate of Science in Nursing, so what's your point?

ASN is not incorrect.

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An ADN is an associate degree in nursing. This is a two year program for RN's. This is an entry level for nurses and the same boards are given to BSN nurses.

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and my degree says

A.A.S. - associate in applied science

which looks EXACTLY like my first associates degree that I earned in medical records. The only difference between the two are the graduating years. I was truly disappointed when I saw that no where on my degree does it say 'nursing'.

Is there a reason for the different abbreviations, ( AAS, ADN, ASN) ?

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and my degree says

A.A.S. - associate in applied science

which looks EXACTLY like my first associates degree that I earned in medical records. The only difference between the two are the graduating years. I was truly disappointed when I saw that no where on my degree does it say 'nursing'.

Is there a reason for the different abbreviations, ( AAS, ADN, ASN) ?

I think it may depend upon your school and how the departments are structured and the like. The degree counts for the same thing but due to organizational structure and obscure regulations, a school may have different titles attached to the associates degrees they grant in different fields.

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Specializes in ICU, School Nurse, Med/Surg, Psych.

It is true that there is a lack of financial incentive for higher education, including certification. I worked in AZ and got paid more because I had a BSN and a generalist certification through ANCC for med-surg nursing. I live in IA now and don't get any pay incentive for my increased education. The old idea that increased education allowed a nurse to go into administration is no longer holding as the nursing shortage (and it seems to be regional) has forced facilities to hire nurses with appropriate experience and wave the education requirements in order to get the position filled.

I have an MSN and am glad that I got the degree for me but some let the amount of time and money that they have spent on education change thier perspective of who they are and the competency of nurses who have not spent as much time reading books and taking tests.

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