"Just" a 2-year degree

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Oct 11, 2006

The ADN was my only option at the time I got it. It was all I could afford and the only game in town. We had no BSN programs where I lived. I had no car to commute two hours to the nearest BSN program.
I'm now in a program to get my BSN, finally and I'm proud of that.
I see a lot of misunderstanding going both ways. BSN nurses promoting their degree and in response ADN nurses putting down that degree. I'm now in my 12 course and have four more to go after this and get greatly offended when my degree is put down "as just a few more courses that won't make you a better nurse".
I also get offended when it's implied that my ADN degree doesn't meet professional standards and it's implied that I'm "bringing down the profession".
Both upset me. I think that we can be proud of our degrees, whatever they are, without offending the other degree holders.

Boy, you've just gotta hate yourself all over the place, huh?

I am extremely proud of my ADN. And should I go on to get my BSN (am considering it), I will be extremely proud of that. Honestly, though, the ADN was what "made" me a nurse, so I imagine I'll have to reserve a special level of self-awe for that . It was in my ADN program that clinical instructors kept us guessing at whether we'd pass muster, it was during that schooling that a mistake during skill evaluations could have me dismissed. It was that program that had me BECOME a nurse, and I will forever consider that what "did it" for me. If I get a BSN later, it will be for furtherance of education and later opportunities only, not to become a better nurse. I believe I was incredibly prepared for that already, and with more experience, I imagine I will do quite fine :)

I still bristle at the idea that the nursing 2 yr degree is equivalent to a 2-yr creative arts degree. But my anger, perhaps, is misplaced: it shouldn't be at the pharm tech (even if I think she should have known better), it should be at an education system that keeps increasing entrance and graduation requirements and does not reflect that in the awarding of the degree. What was once two years, and still is someplace apparently, really does take three full time years in most places. Of course it can take a whole LOTTA years added onto that, by choice, if family and/or work lives dictate a slower pace. THAT is not the responsibility of the issuing college. But when they tack on the requirements they do, for the low credits they offer alongside, it seems a crime to consider it "just" a two-year degree. How many of you had clinicals that were "labs", meaning there was zero credit for attending, passing? How many hours did you spend in the skills lab, above and beyond what ANYONE in ANY other program had to spend studying, for no additional credit? Just seems wrong to me. But then, until our schools can grant an "in between" Associates and Bachelor's, well.....we have to deal with the "just" in front of our titles, I guess.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 11, 2006

If it takes 2 years to grad a 2 year program, how long would it take for you to grad. a 4 year program?

:uhoh3:

scaredofshots · Oct 11, 2006

:bowingpur

If it takes 2 years to grad a 2 year program, how long would it take for you to grad. a 4 year program?

\

OMG I know I would not like working with you girl!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mrs. Perfect

angel337, MSN, RN · Oct 11, 2006

i think people are entitled to feel how they want about their career paths. i personally wanted a bachelor's degree because it was a personal accomplishment and also i did not want it to block any chances i had to advance in the future. When people think of a 2 year degree they usually think you are going for a technical or trade job. When you have a 4 year degree and up you are considered a professional by society standards. I consider all nurses professionals but unfortunately we can't expect people to understand every aspect of our career either. just recently i told someone that i went to school 5 years for my BSN and he said "Oh really, i thought nurses only went to community college for a couple of years" that offended me, because i am proud of my degree and don't want my profession minimized in any way because of the years of education you put in. doctors are respected because of the years of schooling that are required to obtain their degree. no explanation needed. nurses will never have that. just my 2 cents.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 12, 2006

I've never been one to please 'society'.

suzy253, RN · Oct 12, 2006

TWO YEARS? Where did you all go to school?? When I graduate with my R N I will have a total of THREE years. One year for pre req's and two years nursing... If I choose I can get another year and add the letter BS to my title...:mortarboard:

I just graduated for a three-year program....ALL nursing for 3 long years.

As Tweety mentioned, we had co-reqs taken along with all our nursing courses for the first couple of ye ars.

StNeotser, ASN, RN · Oct 12, 2006

Took me 3 1/2 years to get a "2 year degree"

boofmd · Oct 12, 2006

just a 2 year degree is pretty insulting really. I recently had this debate as well in my BSN courses. "do you think BSN's are more qualified to practice nursing...Why did you return to school."

I do not by any means think that the BSN makes you more qualified to practice nursing. We all took the same boards and passed them. We are all RN's.

In my opinion, the ADN has more hands on clinical experience and critical thinking skills that are put to use on the floor. They are more adept to caring for the patients in emergencies because of critial thinking and reasoning that is drilled into our minds in school. I would never say I JUST have an associates because I worked my A*# off to get it.

I've worked with many 4-year grads who have said themselves that they do not feel ready when they graduate to take on a full load. It may be the school that you go to as well. BSN programs concentrate on management type nursing where as ADN programs are hands on from the start and really crack down on knowledge and putting it to use. All that information crammed into 2 years and putting everything together in less time was more enlightening for me.

traumahawk99 · Oct 12, 2006

i'm not the least bit offended by the pharamcy tech's statement. we do make darn good money for a 2 year degree!

if she does or doesn't think it's easy, it doesn't excite me either way. i don't need people in society to appreciate me as though i've somehow made the greatest contribution in the world just because i've got a nursing degree. plenty of other folks work just as hard or harder and don't make near the money or have the flexibility that we have in nursing. the world doesn't revolve around nursing.

i'm sure it won't be popular, but i'd call this thread whining :).

MIKelly · Oct 12, 2006

I said you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who finishes an RN program in only 2 years nowadays. She shrugged, said her daughter "blew through" it (ten years ago or so). She didn't want to hear that things have changed a TAD since then.
Sigh. I think I'll take up basket-weaving. Appears I'm qualified.

I don't understand your comment about two year programs. There are plenty of two year RN programs in my state, are they not prevalent in yours?

SeanyRN · Oct 12, 2006

:bowingpur \
OMG I know I would not like working with you girl!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mrs. Perfect

*Austin Powers shag me voice* Im a man baby!!! :trout:

Alexsys · Oct 12, 2006

I don't understand your comment about two year programs. There are plenty of two year RN programs in my state, are they not prevalent in yours?

Its not that they are not prevalent where she lives, it's a limited access program and there are more applications than seats available. That is pretty much everywhere. That goes for ADN and BSN programs