RN-BSN and ADN-BSN Easy?

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 30, 2014

I got my ADN in 2012 and worked for 2 years before I started my RN-BSN program and I am glad I did. There are things that are taught that have much more meaning once you have practiced some. I am very glad I chose the route I did. I will be finished May 2015.

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2014

Quite honestly, my BSN coursework I felt like had very little practical nursing applications. It was all theory, theory, theory. Research and theory. :) I did start it right after graduating pretty much, just because I was already in school mode and wanted to get it over and done with. I did not feel like it enhanced my actual nursing skills.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2014

The following lists my educational programs and my estimations of their various degrees of difficulty. Your mileage may vary.

12-month vocational nursing program (LVN) = hardest, in my opinion

1-year LPN-to-ASN transition program = not terribly difficult

Online RN-to-BSN completion program = relatively low level of difficulty

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2014

If you are an RN, you already have almost all of the nursing classes. My ADN-to-BSN just involved a few more humanities, research class, and a couple fluffy nursing classes like "trans-cultural nursing." It was extremely easy. I did have to take a pathophysiology class, but it was simple compared to the one I took in the ADN program. I made A's in all of them, and several A+.

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Oct 31, 2014

The only class I really enjoyed or felt that learned much in was my emergency management class, other than that it was research papers either reviewing them or writing them. Non of which I felt made a better bedside nurse nor was it difficult. Getting the BSN was the easiest out of all of my education

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 31, 2014

The freshest nurses in my class seemed to struggle the most. My particular college's professors really liked when we applied our current learning objectives to previous experiences. It also meant our learning was more meaningful. I know a lot of people here like to poo-poo RN to BSN classes as pointless but not only do I feel I became a much better nurse, I now enjoy my practice much more. Take that for what it's worth. Maybe my college was especially awesome.

Another difference between my college and many RN to BSN programs. . . minimal theory, just a a week's discussion here and there spread out throughout all the courses. Which was great at the time. Now that I'm in doctorate level theory, I'm regretting that lack of instruction, lots of catching up to do.

Murphree8 · Oct 31, 2014

I have only been working as an RN since June, but was a CLPN for two years before that. So not a whole lot of floor experience. I am currently taking the RN-BSN program right now. Honestly, there is not a whole lot of applied nursing knowledge needed for this program so far. I am only in the first semester, but as of right now it has been busy work. Writing EBP papers, critiques, group work, etc. I am working full time as well.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 31, 2014

Definitely doable while working full-time, plus with RN to BSN programs, one usually has the luxury of doing it at a much slower pace if you need to (scholastically or financially).

workinmomRN2012, BSN · Oct 31, 2014

I took a year off to work and I'm glad I did. I learn more by doing so to be able to practice skills and learn meds for that time was very important and a very good foundation. Then believe it or not, I started getting bored and returned to school for RN-BSN. I work 24hrs and usually pick up an xtra shift, have a family and school is still very doable.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2014

My LPN and ADN program were more rigorous than my online rn-bsn program. However, I rather take an exam than write papers any day.

AJJKRN · Nov 1, 2014

I started my RN to BSN with 6 months of nursing under my belt. I wouldn't say my program was easy but it was much much easier than my ADN program. With an RN to BSN program, I already had an excellent foundation built, added with full-time clinicals...I mean a full-time job, and the fact that I was already an RN (you don't have the fear of losing it all if you've already passed the NCLEX) made the RN to BSN easier simply because the classes were built for me to build upon my already learned

knowledge with seeking out learning that was going to accentuate my specialty base. Just bite the bullet, learn APA, and how to BS enough to make the papers the length they are required!