RN to BSN nursing student

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2013

We have online schools RN-BSN groups......what are you looking for?

libran1984, ASN, RN · Mar 20, 2013

I want to find a section of AN where I can read about RN-BSN experiences. The good, bad, whatnot. I want to see what experiences these RNs had in their transition. A charge nurse in my unit as well as my manager both claimed a BSN RN was more apt to perform critical thinking. As you know, I work in an ER and one said argument was because my manager was a BSN RN, she felt her previous schooling helped make her more apt in recognizing S/S of an aortic aneurysm (as was the case in her example to me from her past experiences). She said that as a BSN she was more prepared to anticipate orders and create a mental care plan.

I want to read about RN-BSNs who have that "lightbulb" moment. I want to have my manager and charge nurse justified in their thoughts.

As I see it now, I'm an LPN- 2 years ER experience, 1 year intense prison clinic experience (which dealt much more trauma than my ER) and in one year I will have completed my LPN to ASN bridge. Next step is a BSN.

I read posts about writing 6-8 page papers on keywords such as "fear, hope, etc" and I'm like... Seriously.

I want to know what the typical experience is of an RN - BSN is like. I thought since these ASN/ADN's are still students of nursing they would fall under this category. I particularly despise online programs and would like to see the actual in class experiences.

Sorry, I rambled, as I tend to do. Thanks for ur inquiry, Esme12

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2013

Like I said.......visit our online nursing forums that are set up by individual schools. Online Nursing Schools, Colleges, and Universities

There is an extensive debate within the nursing ranks about the ADN vs BSN......both make you an RN and both take the same qualifying exam. The BSN however in this job market will give you the advantage to be considered for a position. Is one a "better nurse" than the other? I don't think so....the person makes the Nurse..... however, there are many BSN grads that believe they are better nurses. That..... is the big debate. ADN vs BSN

I am curious....these nurses that you talk about.... are they traditional BSN grads or did they go the RN-BSN route?

allnurses Guide · Mar 21, 2013

I think this is all individual and your statement "the person makes the nurse" is exactly right.

I'm a second-career nurse who got my ADN at 40. Did the RN-BSN route in an accelerated program at a Christian University 10 years later. Not online. I do not think that schooling made me a better nurse. I think working in the trenches in a rural hospital where I did everything (med-surg, ER, L&D) made me a better nurse because I'm the kind of person who wanted to be a "better nurse". I wanted to learn all I could, my goal was being my patient's advocate, I worked with some great doctors and nurses who were my mentors.

The BSN afforded me the option to leave the bedside which I prefer now due to having a surprise child in my 40's and wanting to stay home for the most part to raise him like I did his older siblings (the oldest turns 30 today!).

The classes for my BSN taught me things like economics and nursing theory and how to do research. All worthy goals. But truly, that did nothing for my skills as a nurse.

As to having a forum just for this, I think there are so many threads about this particular issue that the OP can probably start one in a forum here somewhere. :) Like General Nursing maybe?

libran1984, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2013

Esme12- they were traditional BSN routes. A comment was made at one point during our conversation that the BSN had to do care plans and med cards on every pt she took care of and this hone the critical thinking skills. I had to bite my tongue on that and stop myself from saying, "my lpn program had me write care plans and drug cards on all of my pts too"

However, that is neither here nor there, I was really just trying to find more about Other nurse's in depth examinations and personal feelings about the transitions.

lkulmann · Mar 21, 2013

Esme12- they were traditional BSN routes. A comment was made at one point during our conversation that the BSN had to do care plans and med cards on every pt she took care of and this hone the critical thinking skills. I had to bite my tongue on that and stop myself from saying, "my lpn program had me write care plans and drug cards on all of my pts too"
However, that is neither here nor there, I was really just trying to find more about Other nurse's in depth examinations and personal feelings about the transitions.

My LPN program had me to the same thing and that was in the mid 80's....