RN's, in your opinion, did coming out of school with a BSN really prepare you...

April, RN, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2010

I don't think having a BSN prepares you for work as a new grad RN any more than an ADN does. A new grad = no experience, no matter what route you take.

No one expects new grads to know everything when they are starting out. It's important to look for a first job with a good, supportive new grad program.

CNL2B · Aug 5, 2010

OP, I see that you are 18. I am assuming you have had no nursing education at all at this point (didn't look at your whole profile, perhaps you are a CNA.)

Does ANY entry level nursing program prepare you for the workforce? In one word, no. It prepares you not to kill somebody.

I always like to say about my basic nursing education that I learned a little bit about a lot of things (all health related, of course.) I didn't learn anything to any degree to be any kind of an expert. Pretty much all I could say when I first got out of school is that I was ready to orient to my job and I knew enough not to cause anyone any bodily harm!

Let me just tell you that it is GOOD that you have a fear of failure. It is important to be a little bit apprehensive when you are starting out in this field, even as a student. The ones that think they know it all are the ones that screw up big time. You be careful, and learn what you need to learn. The confidence will come later.

A day in the life of an RN --- get a job in a hospital or start clinicals and get immersed. You'll find out what we really do soon enough.

Best wishes to you.

dixiesnurse · Aug 5, 2010

Hi there,

i don't work in a hospital, but i have a bsn and am a hospice case manager. I would generally agree with april rn, although i think after you have some experience in nursing that your bsn will definitely help you in leadership roles and help you to have a good understanding of how research in nursing is important and advances nursing practice. Plus you can also be involved in research. I think overall the bsn is worth it in the long run eve though the pay is the same to start. Plus you're ready for grad school!

HappydayRn · Aug 5, 2010

This is how my day goes,

Come in early, get reports sheets, get report from outgoing shift.

I then assess take vitals give pain meds or toilet my pt.'s.

I chart, do chart checks sign off orders.

More meds throughout the night

Update the report sheet, more meds, sometimes vitals and if an issue arises call the MD.

I then give report to the oncoming shift and go home!

Most of my tasks include assessments, vitals, toileting, turning, medications and of course charting. Things always come up and that's when the critical thinking will need to be developed as a new nurse.

It's scary and overwhelming at first,you'll probably feel like you didn't learn anything in school at all. At least that how I felt. However after a few months it seems to click into place. You're always learning on the floor and if you're in a supportive environment and wiling to learn you should be okay.

I enjoy some of the work, but some patients are very difficult/rude/crazy/confused and it does make me hate my work at times. It's hard work but you learn everyday.

BackfromRetirement · Aug 5, 2010

The thing about RN school that I remember was lab values. Being able to have a clue what's going on from UA's to blood gases. Yes, its rote memory and boring at first, but you can spot things that you know that contribute to cause and effect.

jules52 · Aug 5, 2010

I think the BSN helped prepare you, anyway from what I see. I got my ADN and it seems the BSN people have more exprience due to the clinicals they do that we did not. I might think about being a CNA for a few years first. You get lots of experience that way and learn from ground up. I am trying to find an online school to get my MSN from now and having a hard time deciding. I already have a BS in education so need a bridge course, but its hard deciding and siphoning thro all the schools out there. :yeah:

chacomom · Aug 5, 2010

Yes, I think it did.The addtional sciences and other subjects that I studied has helped over the years. I started out on nights in ICU and quickly learned what I knew and didn't know. I also learned when to ask questions and if I didn't get the right answer, kept asking until I did. I have worked with some excellent ADN nurses over the years.

I think that learning to trust your gut is very important. You will make mistakes, You are only human. You must learn by those mistakes and not beat yourself up. Patients lives literally depend on you, I was not very assertive as a new grad, but soon learned that sometimes you have to be a patient advocate.

Having a BSN also sllowed me to work in clinical research.

My opinion is that if nursing is to be considered a profession and recognized as such by other professionals, a BSN should be mandatory.

I_See_You_RN · Aug 5, 2010

I started working nights in an ICU and my BSN definitely helped me. I believe its all about what you put into it. When u do ur clinical rotations don't just be an observer. During my rotations I was hanging meds, packing open surgical wounds, deep suctioning, everything that the hospital allowed me to do. If there was a code, and I was certified to do CPR, I asked to jump in and do a minute or so of compressions. During my senior year I thought that so far I didn't have many opportunities to start IV lines so one morning I told all the nurses and PCA's that I wanted to practice so keep me in mind if one was needed. By the end of the day 3 nurses that I wasn't working with found me and let me practice.

Its all about being proactive. Of course when you get to the real thing now u have to be more independent and you have to handle all stresses. U can't just do things when u want to, and then step aside when you don't. That is the biggest difference that I see. But in time you will learn all the new skills that ur unit requires. Ur BSN will give u the knowledge base, ur clinicals will give you a light exposure, and ur actual job will make u proficient and then an expert at what u do. Right now I'm cruising on proficient

Otessa, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2010

For the work force?
I mean, of course no amount of school work can prepare you entirely for what a job is like. But in general, how was it when you actually started working?
I'm nervous that maybe I won't be any good once I'm actually there. I am a smart person and a good student. But that doesn't change the fact that I'm scared of failure.
And on a side note. What's a day like? For a RN in a hospital. What types of things are you doing mostly? Do you really enjoy your work?

I can say an emphatic "YES!". I graduated with my BSN from a nursing college that had a lot of theory but even more hands on-there was great comfort in the real life setting upon graduation.

otessa

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 5, 2010

i graduated a long time ago, and i still remember vividly how completely not prepared i was to be a nurse. i was prepared to be an employee -- i've been self supporting since age 17. weekends, nights and holidays didn't throw me the way it seems to throw a lot of people. but as far as actually taking care of the patients -- no clue. nursing assistants -- that's what we called them then -- and a couple of stellar lpns took me under their wing and got me started on the path to learning. i had some good role models (and a few bad ones) along the way and that helped. but it took me at least a year to begin to feel as though i knew what i was doing on a good day -- much longer than that to feel competent in general!

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2010

I really can't say if a BSN prepares you. I entered the RN field with a diploma RN. I had 2-3 full days of clinical per day, plus a required internship my last semester of school. I also worked as a tech while I was in school. I know school helped prepare me, but I don't feel that I would have been quite so prepared without my tech experience.