"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)

As far as direct patient care is involved there is no difference between ADN and BSN, we all passed the same boards and do the same care and should get paid the same amount. As far as management goes, some say BSN's are better, I disagree, it is the person and not the piece of paper that makes a good manager. I am an ADN and have held management positions and have done very well with them. I personally think there should only be RN and advanced practice RN, do away with all the other designations (diploma, ADN, BSN) or else make boards more difficult and more inline with the higher education.

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Specializes in CNA, former LVN student.

:wink2:Associate Degree in Nursing

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Specializes in Geriatric, Rehab, and Pulmonary.

I work with nurses with BSN and nurses with AAS in Nursing, There is good and bad in both. I personally have an AAS degree in respiratory care and nursing and I am currently working on my BSN and will finish December 2008. I don't think I am better or will be better than anyone. My goal is MSN/FNP. I am not getting my BSN to be "better", but to reach my goal. The debate is similar in respiratory care, which is better, CRT or RRT? In most every field of study, there seems to be a debate between lower and higher degrees of education and/or credentialing. The bottom line is, are we all caring for the patients to the best of our ability? This is just my opinion and like rear-ends, everyone has one.

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ADN= associate degree in nursing, which you can get at a 2 yr community college or a 2 yr hospital nursing program.

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ADN= associate degree in nursing. It can be obtained at any 2yr community college or nursing school.

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my personal 2 cents worth~~I'm a diploma RN, was a Paramedic for 27yrs prior to going back to school and didn't need that extra class time in a ADN program and I am in my mid 50s and have no desire to ever be in Administration...I'm a good worker bee and do charge fine. Give me one or 2 diploma RNs and a couple good CNAs and one dynomite ER unit secretary any day and I will run a fairly busy small town ER with that group over ADN or BSN nurses. Diploma nurses are put on the floors week #2 and get tons of clinical teaching! Not one employer has ever asked me which kind of RN I am, either. The only way I'd go for my BSN or MSN is if I wanted to teach or be in Supervisory/Admin jobs in my career (or IF I was just in nursing school now...a youngster). I was told in 1971 that they are getting ready to 'phase out' LPNs/LVNs and it has yet to happen. They also swore that I'd have to have my BSN before long to even be a RN and that has never come to fruition. First you have to keep enough plain RNs to have enough staff to do all the rest and that will probably NEVER EVER HAPPEN....esp with us 'baby boomers' all getting ready to retire!

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Specializes in oncology, surgical stepdown, ACLS & OCN.
my personal 2 cents worth~~I'm a diploma RN, was a Paramedic for 27yrs prior to going back to school and didn't need that extra class time in a ADN program and I am in my mid 50s and have no desire to ever be in Administration...I'm a good worker bee and do charge fine. Give me one or 2 diploma RNs and a couple good CNAs and one dynomite ER unit secretary any day and I will run a fairly busy small town ER with that group over ADN or BSN nurses. Diploma nurses are put on the floors week #2 and get tons of clinical teaching! Not one employer has ever asked me which kind of RN I am, either. The only way I'd go for my BSN or MSN is if I wanted to teach or be in Supervisory/Admin jobs in my career (or IF I was just in nursing school now...a youngster). I was told in 1971 that they are getting ready to 'phase out' LPNs/LVNs and it has yet to happen. They also swore that I'd have to have my BSN before long to even be a RN and that has never come to fruition. First you have to keep enough plain RNs to have enough staff to do all the rest and that will probably NEVER EVER HAPPEN....esp with us 'baby boomers' all getting ready to retire!

I am also an ADN from a community college and an LPN from hospital program.

It is a good thing I had hospital program. as I received much more clinical time and was an LPN when I went for RN. A BSN doesn't pay more and I like pt. care.

The only reason to get BSN is to move on to MSN and Teach, I too am a baby boomer and will retire soon.

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While it may not be necessary for nurses to have bachelor's degrees, one certainly can't expect the same kind of occupational status as other health care jobs that require more investment in education. Nursing is a great career and has been especially friendly to non-traditional students looking for job security and decent pay (in exchange for hard work). And an experienced, skilled nurse IS worth more than fresh new grad nurse and a fresh new doc. Still, an experienced, skilled doc is generally worth (economically in society, not necessarily to an individual patient who needs skilled nursing care) even more since there are fewer docs out there than nurses (since the educational investment is lower).

I agree that with the ever increasing need for skilled health personnel, pressing for increased educational requirements for RNs seems unrealistic. If all RNs did need bachs, then I'd imagine that some other form of health provider, whether some advanced form of LVN, nurse tech, or some totally new titled provider, would suddenly appear that could fill previous RN-only positions.

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I'm about to graduate as an LPN. I have considered taking my BSN, but was wondering if I should just get my RN or go for the BSN. Any thoughts?

Whatever fits into your lifestyle. I am not getting my BSN but started with my ADN because it was quicker for me to get into the field. Do your comparisons, see what fits. Good luck! The one definite thing I can say is no matter what, CONTINUE.

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my personal 2 cents worth~~I'm a diploma RN, was a Paramedic for 27yrs prior to going back to school and didn't need that extra class time in a ADN program and I am in my mid 50s and have no desire to ever be in Administration...I'm a good worker bee and do charge fine. Give me one or 2 diploma RNs and a couple good CNAs and one dynomite ER unit secretary any day and I will run a fairly busy small town ER with that group over ADN or BSN nurses. Diploma nurses are put on the floors week #2 and get tons of clinical teaching! Not one employer has ever asked me which kind of RN I am, either. The only way I'd go for my BSN or MSN is if I wanted to teach or be in Supervisory/Admin jobs in my career (or IF I was just in nursing school now...a youngster). I was told in 1971 that they are getting ready to 'phase out' LPNs/LVNs and it has yet to happen. They also swore that I'd have to have my BSN before long to even be a RN and that has never come to fruition. First you have to keep enough plain RNs to have enough staff to do all the rest and that will probably NEVER EVER HAPPEN....esp with us 'baby boomers' all getting ready to retire!

You go!! I'm also one who has been around for a while too. With so many of the diploma nursing programs being forced out out of the picture...no wonder we have a shortage!!!!!!!!! I also am a baby boomer, but it looks like I am going to have to work 'til I'm 99. LOL :w00t: See me in my hoverround doing my thing! The thing is, my preparation during my nursing program allowed me to "hit the ground running" at graduation with very little time needing to be spent with orientation as I HAD some experience with all aspects o nursing including charge. Also I think that with diploma programs you are given a more realistic picture of what nursing is about (on the clinical level) so that during school you can figure out if that is what you really want to do for a career. How many posts do we have on these boards from new nurses lamenting about their jobs? Many of them (NOT ALL-so don't throw hate bombs at me) because they simply "didn't know what they were getting into?" Anyway us geezer diploma nurses who have been doing it all for years in administration, management and patient care should get BSNs grandfathered in. Enough for one post.....WHEW!

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Specializes in ER - trauma/cardiac/burns. IV start spec.

Associate degree in nursing basically the same as Associate of science in nursing.

I you are wanting to get your feet wet there is and easy solution. Unless your hospital pays extra for BSN. Get ASN work some get your BSN continue your work and then get your MSN. But all new grads might as well get their BSN by 2010 It is supposed to be a requirement in every state.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

I think having a bachelors degree can expand the capabilities of any professional, including the nurse. The BSN allows for study at the graduate level and anyone that wants to advance should get the BSN. What's the aversion to the bachelors degree and why would someone be against higher education? If we look abroad, outside of the U.S., we will find that in many countries that people have more education than us. It seems that here in the U.S. people want short cuts and rebuke higher education when it is beneficial to the human condition. It allows a bigger perspective on life and care giving. Why stay in a tiny box rather than going for more advanced degrees? It's just a few extra years for the BSN.

J

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