SORRY - i have to rant about this. I don't want to start a fight- and I'm not going to generalize about all BSN or ADN programs. They have to be evaluated individually on their own merits but....... The constant arguement over ADN vs BSN is driving me crazy!!!! People act like I've really got a choice- like I can just walk out and "get" either one. ya right.
I am a 36yo pre-nursing student at a CC (in greater OKC metro). I have a previous BS in a science. I still have pre-reqs to do and support course to finish just to be competitive. & believe me- competition is HIGH- even for the lowly ADN Last semester there were 300 applicants for 50 spots. I have loved all my instructors, been impressed with the level of instruction, and feel prepared.
I have never seen an ad for a job that said "ADN need not apply"- all they ask for is the RN current license- yes, I understand that the BSN may be needed to go into higher mangement etc.
NOW, why I'm not doing the BSN. Here in OKC we have a few BSN programs at state & private universities, and even a few BS to BSN accelerated. The tuition ranges from $20,000 to over $50,000. Having loans from a previous degree & a husband that makes a good salary- I don't qualify for financial aid. SO....if anyone expects me to get that degree- hand over the $$$$$$, please. Also, the BSN programs don't accept many students- the smaller universities have only 20-50/ year and the larger major university accepts around 120/year. &That particular program had over 700 applicants last year!!!! YA I can just walk in and "get" my BSN- hahahahah
BTW- compare NCLEX pass rates
major university- 83% my CC - 87%
university#2 - 57% cc#2 - 87%
university #3 - 50% cc#3 - 82%
now, tell me- would I really want to go to a program that only 50% passed?? what good is a BSN if I can't pass boards? I realize there are many factors to it, but come on....50%!
Let me give you an eye opening fact---if OKC (local metro areas) went to "all BSN" this year and did away with ADN--they would lose 248 new nurses! (that's how many passed boards from 3 major ccs last year) WOW- you think we're short on nurses now- try cutting out all those new grads.
I'm just frustrated with the whole discussion. Like I've said, people act like all of us have EVERY option available, or that we can afford it, or that these programs are just waiting for me to come and "get" my degree.
At least around here- all the ADN/ASD are very professional, highly technical, and very competitive. There are no "waiting lists". You have to apply every semester, meet basic requirements, then compete with GPA, preference points, etc. NONE of them simply put you on a list for meeting the requirements.
It may be different in your neck of the woods, but that how it sits here.
Everyone has to make their own choice, evaluate their own needs and the programs available. I'm done- I feel better - thanks for listening:rolleyes:
NUR 3806 Educational Transitions for Registered Nurses (3)
NUR 3064 Physical Exam & Assessment (2)
NUR 3064L Clinical Experience in health Assessment for RNs (1)
NUR 3145 Pharmacology in Nursing Practice (3)
NUR 3125 Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice (4)
NUR 3829 Ethical Legal Aspects of Nursing & Health Care (3)
NUR 4165 Nursing Inquiry (3)
NUR 4636 Community/Public Health: Population-focused Nursing (3)
NUR 4636L Community/Health Nursing Clinical for the RN (3)
NUR 4838C Leadership & Mgmt in Professional Nursing Practice (3)
Nursing Elective (3)
Total: (30)
That's USF's 30 credit bridge program, after earning an AS from HCC or wherever else. The advantage here is that with an RN you are guaranteed acceptance, vs. accepting based on GPA alone for the upper-division CON (usually 3.6+) and Accelerated BSN (what I'm applying for, 3.4-3.5 min GPA). Anyone that had one bad semester is pretty much out of contention for the regular BSNs and then has to go the CC route. I already have a degree, so a 15 month accelerated program is the way that seems best to me. Then I'm prepared already if I want to go get a master's someday instead of trying to take courses while working, raising kids, etc. To each his or her own, however, and I would never judge someone else for taking the route that's best for his/her family.
For the past 4 or 5 'acceptance letter mail-outs', at least, the 'CC' I attend has had a 4.0 or 3.77 minimum GPA. (including for the upcoming Spring '07)
So if you have a 'bad semester', you are out of the running for the ADN program.
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
I chose my ADN program because it was most economical, closer to my home, and I had already attended that CC before for general college credits.
I have to admit that I knew very little about nursing...much less the debate over ADNs vs. BSNs, LPNs vs. RNs, etc. etc. I only learned that HERE.
I have NO regrets. I feel I have received an amazing education. I am able to enter the workforce somewhat sooner, and I will have more floor experience while pursuing my BSN. That's a good fit for ME.
I don't like the debates either. As an ADN student...I really don't know what a BSN direct entry program is like so I can't say that mine is better or worse. In the same respect, a BSN student can not judge my program and claim to be superior. The whole thing is just ridiculous.
IMHO, all RN's take the same NCLEX. I work as an aide and I don't ask the nurses I work with if they have an ADN or BSN. When I was a pt recently, I didn't ask the nurses taking care of me what degree they had.
On another note, I have seen LPN's who give much much better care than RN's and vise versa. It depends on what you take out of school and how much you love nursing.
I will be applying for the ADN program because I choose to. My goal is to be a nurse ASAP. I then will go back and get my BSN so I can go to law school. I will continue to live with my parents until I graduate. Would you want to be 31 and still live with your parents? Many on this site have flamed me for my decision but it's my decision.
I will continue to live with my parents until I graduate. Would you want to be 31 and still live with your parents? Many on this site have flamed me for my decision but it's my decision.
If anyone 'flames' anyone else about living at home, getting an ADN instead of a BSN, etc, then tell them to come pay your bills for you.
As far as I can see, unless a nurse's name has "NP" or "Dr" with it, "RN = RN" Get over it. You still have to follow someone else's orders just like an ADN does.
I have been on this site off and on for the last 3-4 years and this argument is so old. I have read many threads regarding the big BSN v ADN debate and mostly they are ridiculous and it remind me high school or possibly even elementary school.
When I started school 17 years ago, the BSN was not an option. Not only did I have a small child and a husband but there were no BSN programs within a 100 mi radius of me. Part way through school I did move to an area where I could have entered a BSN program but then I would have had to of crossed the state line which would have meant out of state tuition and from financial standpoint, we just could not do it so I finished with an ADN. Upon finishing my ADN I had 94 college credits. Since that time I have taken some online classes toward a degree in health promotion.
Is the BSN better than the ADN or is the ADN better than the BSN??? This I do not know. What I do know is that some of the worst nurses I have worked with have been BSNs and some ADNs. Likewise, some of the best nurses I have worked with have been BSNs and some ADNs. Success in the workplace does not depend on the letters after your name, it is highly individualized. Should BSNs get more money??? IMHO, no. They do the same job as the ADN.. period. The skill and critical thinking is the same.. you are getting paid to care for patients not because of the letters after your name.
The only thing that I take issue with in regards to all of this "discussion" is that I am a little tired of hearing what I can not doin the field since I "only" have my ADN. When I worked in the hospital, I was a charge nurse 90 percent of the time. I have worked as a medicare unit manager in a subacute facility and I have also been a community case manager for a disease management program. I currently work in workers compensation as a case manager and I have my own business as a legal nurse consultant which has profitable for the last 5 years. Now... I have read many many post stating that based on my education, I should not be able to do these things. I am here to tell you.. I have done them and I am doing it.
As I said before, much of anyone's success in any field depends on the person.. personality, intelligence, motivation.
I have always thought I would not post anything in these arguments because it makes no difference to me why anyone chooses which route but I, as I said, I am tired of reading what my limitations are. If there ever comes a day when a BSN is required for me to reach my goals/ dreams I will pursue it..
I have been on this site off and on for the last 3-4 years and this argument is so old. I have read many threads regarding the big BSN v ADN debate and mostly they are ridiculous and it remind me high school or possibly even elementary school.
Agree with you 100% on that Richele. I'm 52, in a diploma program, will have no problem getting employment afterwards and if I wish to pursue it, I'll go for a degree later on with the hospital paying for it.
Last semester there were 300 applicants for 50 spots. I have loved all my instructors, been impressed with the level of instruction, and feel prepared.
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Tweety, BSN, RN
36,267 Posts
Mine is smilar here's just the nursing portion (the aging class is a sociology):
DSOC 349 3 credits Aging and Society
DNRS/NRSG 326 3 credits Concepts of Professional Nursing
DNRS/NRSG 327 4 credits Health Promotion and Assessment
DNRS/NRSG 328 4 credits Principles of Pathophysiology
DNRS/NRSG 329 3 credits Pharmocology
DNRS/NRSG 446 3 credits Community Health Nursing
DNRS/NRSG 447 3 credits Population-Focused Health Promotion
DNRS/NRSG 485 3 credits Leadership and Management in Nursing
DNRS/NRSG 497 3 credits Nursing Research Methods
DNRS/NRSG 499 3 credits Seminar in Nursing