"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 Med-Surg.
Sorry I beg to differ on that note. The problem with most BSN's graduating is that they lack the neccessary training needed to work on the floor and don't know how to take care of patients. I had a hospital program and college, thank goodness I had the hospital program because I learned more there. There is something lacking in todays nsg. programs.

I beg to differ. Perhaps it's local but around here BSNs are perfectly capable of working the floor when they graduate and take care of patients, as a new grad. Their clinicals are oriented to floor entry level floor nursing.

I've read posts from a couple of the diploma grads, and with all their clinicals they still struggle and muddle along the learning curve the same as others. Read the first year in nursing forum, the ADNs are struggling along witht he BSNs. It's different out in the real world.

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I beg to differ. Perhaps it's local but around here BSNs are perfectly capable of working the floor when they graduate and take care of patients, as a new grad. Their clinicals are oriented to floor entry level floor nursing.

I've read posts from a couple of the diploma grads, and with all their clinicals they still struggle and muddle along the learning curve the same as others. Read the first year in nursing forum, the ADNs are struggling along witht he BSNs. It's different out in the real world.

Nurses need to get past the attitude that a nurse needs to be able to "hit the ground running", the day after graduation. This does nothing but underscore that nurses have a less that acceptable entry into practice, and compensate for it by expecting new grads to do the impossible- function as an experienced nurse.

There is no other health care profession that expects their new grads to do what is expected of our new grads. They instead concentrate on academics, and leave practical expertise to the post graduation internship. They, long ago, decided to sacrifice more clinical experience pre-graduation and have more academics, that include, what I consider to be, "quality of life", classes. They learn how to start and run a small business, and be an Independant Contractor, and Independant Businessperson. They learn what their rights are, and have a professional association who supports the worker bee at the bedside, or business. They work at keeping their numbers low, and their demand high. They are not turning our new grad Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, etc, every two years. They graduate every six to eight years. If they want PTs, OTs, Pharmacists, they either wait, and/or, make it their business the keep the workers happy. There is no "revolving door" of these professions who leave and are replaced by newbys every year.

Nurses will never stand next to other health care professions intil we improve our educational system, insist on RETENTION, RATHER THAN REPLACEMENT of nurses, and we are respected, and REWARDED by our contributions to positive patient outcomes.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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Any educated person that says that any amount of education is enough.... needs to go back to grade school.

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Specializes in CCU, CVICU, ER.

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Sorry I beg to differ on that note. The problem with most BSN's graduating is that they lack the neccessary training needed to work on the floor and don't know how to take care of patients. I had a hospital program and college, thank goodness I had the hospital program because I learned more there. There is something lacking in todays nsg. programs.

I may not be "trained" to do certain skills in my BSN program as others are in ADN or LPN or diploma programs but the skills that require training, as far as I'm concerned, can be mastered on the job.

When I step into my first job as a "real" nurse after passing boards, I don't expect myself to be an expert at technical skills and I know I will pick them up as I gain experience.

Things such as pathophys, pharmacology etc...I will not have an opportunity to really learn on the floor in depth. To me, the WHY of what I'm doing is more important at this point than the actual learning of the skill. It's easy to learn how to give a shot, but knowing why you are doing it, the medication you are passing, why you should not do it, etc...that is much more complex.

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Nusing will never get respect because it is trying to be something it isin't.

I think this depends on what expectations you have for yourself as a nurse and probably as a person too. I will not be a technician, I will be a professional.

And while it is unfortunately true that nurses can function at anywhere inbetween the continuum, the ANA code of ethics states that we are PROFESSIONALS and personally I believe that is somethat that deserves respect.

It is disappointing that a nurse would say they do not deserve respect...but please don't try to speak for all us particularly those that believe that with the high level of accountability nurses have, a higher level of respect is a must. If you feel you do not deserve that level of respect...that is your deal.

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Specializes in telemetry.
Would someone tell me what ADN is?

ADN=associate degree in nursing

BSN=bachellors of science in nursing

MSN=masters of science in nursing

and there's also diploma nurses that don't have any degree

and there's also doctorate degrees, though I've never seen a nurse who has one.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.

Go for what YOU want.

In certain cities/states, depending upon the contractual agreements (union vs non-union, etc), a BSN-RN PAYS MORE than a ADN-RN.

Opinions---well...everyone is entitled to one.

Speaking as a professional, my antenna and radar goes up, when advice is given AGAINST EDUCATION in a career specialty. What you learn in school, you won't learn on-the-job. On-the-job experience can't be taught in school. The "wise ones" capture the best of both worlds. Just my opinion. Many blessings to you.

Showbizrn

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Specializes in oncology, surgical stepdown, ACLS & OCN.
A BSN should NOT make money??? I respectfully disagree. I don't care if the ADN's do everything a BSN does. More education should equal more money...PERIOD. Why is Nursing the only field that does not reward those who further their education? You know why BSN's are not compensated more than ADN's? Because the ADN's and Diploma nurses see to it that we are not. We have had staff meetings in my facility to determine pay scale for BSN's vs ADN's, and it is the ADN's that fight for the BSN's to not be paid more for their extra education. I love it when people say education does not matter. The only people who say education does not matter are the uneducated.

I carry the same license as you, so there is no difference between the two except a BSN has 2more years of school, I went a year to LPN school before I went for an ADN. Should I make more money when I get a BSN and have 5 years of school? I don't think that is fair. Any way BSN classes are mostly the history. laws. and management classes, of nursing. I took two days of state boards 18 years ago and until they change the test for entry and carry the same license we are all professional nurses!

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Specializes in oncology, surgical stepdown, ACLS & OCN.
I may not be "trained" to do certain skills in my BSN program as others are in ADN or LPN or diploma programs but the skills that require training, as far as I'm concerned, can be mastered on the job.

When I step into my first job as a "real" nurse after passing boards, I don't expect myself to be an expert at technical skills and I know I will pick them up as I gain experience.

Things such as pathophys, pharmacology etc...I will not have an opportunity to really learn on the floor in depth. To me, the WHY of what I'm doing is more important at this point than the actual learning of the skill. It's easy to learn how to give a shot, but knowing why you are doing it, the medication you are passing, why you should not do it, etc...that is much more complex.

Mabybe I should be a little clearer, pathophysiology and phamacology are both on the floor, that is critical thinking!:idea:

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in all honesty, i'd be hard pressed to find a more worthless enhancement of a professional education than the increment from asn to bsn. these classes are mostly fluff, and do absolutely nothing to improve the ability of a nurse to work on the floor.

thnigs like personal organization (to some extent an inherent trait) and practical experience make the difference on the floor.

is it any wonder why employers only pay lip service to bsn? the folks in the ivory towers are desperate to seize control of the profession. reality won't let that happen. otherwise, there wouldn't be a debate and this thread wouldn't exist.

if you want a bsn, i say go for it. after all, this is america. i just think addtional education in underwater basket weaving adds as much practical value to the acutal job nurses do.

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Things such as pathophys, pharmacology etc...I will not have an opportunity to really learn on the floor in depth. To me, the WHY of what I'm doing is more important at this point than the actual learning of the skill. It's easy to learn how to give a shot, but knowing why you are doing it, the medication you are passing, why you should not do it, etc...that is much more complex.

i have learned far more about phamacology and pathophys on the floor than a bsn fresh out of school would know.

how did i learn this? from having patients, and looking up drugs, etc... while caring for patients. how would having a bsn impact this? would i be smarter, jump higher?

the move to make entry level nursing the province of bsn trained (unfortunately, the comparison to monkeys seems quite accurate) nurses is simply a power grab from those in academia. this, to the great detriment of our healthcare system. these people couldn't care any less about the realities of nursing and patient care. they want to BE RESPECTED AND IN CONTROL.

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