"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)

That old saying that opinions are like fecal evacuation orifices, everyone's got one.

I like the way you put that new spin on an old saying!:rotfl:

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Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.
Everytime I read this RN and BSN stuff I laugh.

Isn't a BSN an RN degree. Isn't it the same thing? Then I think no..you can get your ASN (sp?) right? I can't wait until there's ONE freaking degree for nurses and that's all she wrote.

Honestly. Right now it's confusing. :chuckle

Z

Back to topic.... :)

I agree! i'll prob be retired before that happens though:)

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I would say do what's best for you. The pay is not much different in hospitals, but with your BSN you could do research (clinical trials, etc), and you said you wanted your Master's anyway. Why not do an RN-MSN program?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Would someone tell me what ADN is?

ASN = Associate Science Nursing

ADN = Associate Degree Nursing

Used interchangeably

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Is an associates degree in nursing. Agree with Z, should be just one degree, but I can hear all the BSN people, and the ADN people now complaining why didnt you pick my degree as the main one. Each person decides his/her own path based on their current needs and resources. But no matter which way you go, there are many programs to move up RN/BSN LVN/RN LVN/BSN. So just do what you think is right for you. BTW I attent a local community college working on my ADN ( one year down, one to go) and in our first semester, reps from the local state college that has the BSN program came and talked with us. This fall, they are starting a program which is ADN/MSN, bypassing the BSN portion. But as you go through the course you will do all the BSN material, and it takes 18 months to complete. In theory ADN in 2 years, MSN in 18 months. So you have ur MSN in 3.5 years. Amazing isnt it, and your friends who said ADN stupid, still in school. Just my personal thoughts on this strange subject.

Have A Great day and Be Safe

Jerry

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Many debates have been about this.

When you come out of school and go to the bedside, indeed you will make the same, or just a little more than your ADN coworkers. So what they say is true about the money.

I look at the BSN as an investment in the future. It not only gets you positions in management, but other positions away from the bedside like in education, case management, public health, drug reps and other areas. Many jobs will take ADNs but advertise "BSN preferred", meaning the BSN nurse, all things being equal, gets the edge.

ADNs have a wide variety of very well paying jobs open to them too and it does indeed seem like a waste of time.

I'm going for the BSN for my future. I'm a bedside med-surg nurse and I'm not sure when I'm 60 and looking at 10 more years to work if I can do this. When I get my BSN, I'll get a 4 percent raise, which hardly seems worth it, until I go for another position that requires a BSN. I'm not interested in management whatsoever.

For many of us BSN is not an option, giving our location, our financial situation, etc. etc. I lived in a town that only offered an ADN program and there was no way for me to move to a city that offered a BSN. It was also within my financial means, and I paid as I went in cash.

It's a personal decision which degree to get and why. There are compelling reasons to get either, money not always being #1 on the list. The ever growing number of RN to BSN students and programs attests to this.

Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
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)

Hello H.O.W.,

I heard lots of this while I was working in hospitals and finishing my bachellors. Oh, several curious coworkers would always ask, "Why aren't you going for your BSN?" Thing is, I was working on my nursing pre-reqs the whole time I was completing my degree, (which was a non-nursing degree). That really confused some gossipy types.

If you have a reason and are pursueing your goal I don't think you need to fit yourself into someone else's choice. Really, this is your life here, your goals and your future.

My undergrad degree and coursework combined to my interests and my goals fo the future to work in community health and as an NP.

Luckily I graduated this last May, (with the BA in Soc/Psych and the AS in Biology) and I start a Masters entry to nursing program this Sept!

Yes, there are several nurses also who I worked with who are mature and are very encouraging. They suspected all along that those other coworkers nagging questions never bothered me. I had my plan and am following it. Many naysayers offered their, (their) opinions but, those words were not important to me.

Even some of my family members questioned my path but, now they are some of my biggest supporters. I am such a fan of following your desires. Do it.

Find people who support your choice, your goal and even if you don't remember that this is YOUR life, go for it!!!

Gen

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

All I can say is education is not a waste of your time. Also, don't believe everything you hear. Follow your heart and chose the best route that YOU think you should follow. No one can really tell you what to do. :)

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Would someone tell me what ADN is?

Associate Degree Nurse, a 2 yr nursing program.

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Specializes in Oncology, Home Health, Psychiatry.
Would someone tell me what ADN is?

ADN means Associate Degree in Nursing :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hi, I am going for my LVN and if I had a dime for everytime an RN told me it was a waste of time.....well you get the picture. For me it's the best route at this time in my life. My goal after this is to bridge to RN and then hopefully to BSN. I am just taking the long route I guess! I think you should do what you want to do in your heart. Don't let others get you down about it. God knows I used to walk away from some conversations with people feeling stupid for going the LVN way, but now I feel proud and I'll get there (to RN) but it will be a while.

Good luck!!!

Shannon

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Don't let anyone tell you that any education is a waste of time.

Right now, I'm going for my BSN because it would take me just as long or longer to get an ADN, by the time you account for pre-requisites and the waiting list. I've been told by many people that my education is a waste of money, not exactly time. I'll be going to a small women's Catholic college this fall out in West L.A. It's quite expensive, but it is the best possible school for me.

I think it's wonderful that you want to be a CNM. I've considered that, too. Where do you want to go for grad school?

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