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:
I know what you mean on the length of time in school with both programs. I have a choice to start nursing classes in Jan. of 06 at the CC, I also have been accepted to a univeristy this fall of 05. I could graduate from the CC in Dec. 2007, I could graduate from the four year university in May of 2008. There is only one semester difference between the two degrees. If I went one extra semester I would have my BSN. It makes more sense to me to obtain that four year degree. I am like you, I am going to turn 40 in September, I don't want to go back to school after I start working, I would rather have it over with also. Unless I want to pursue my Masters later on. It is not that much longer of a program to finish your BSN rather your ADN. At least that has been what I have found. As for money, I will have to take out loans I am sure, so far been receiving a grant. That is okay though. Most people do end up taking out loans to get their Bachelor's. You would probably have to do that if you got your ADN first and starting working, then went back to school for your BSN. I sometimes think the old saying is true, you get what you pay for.
same thing with me...ADN graduation was 12/06...BSN graduation 6/07...which is part of why the VA required the BSN instead.
Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.
I see nothing wrong with making ADN the ONE entry way into nursing. :chuckle
It is, after all, the most common route into nursing and the route with the greatest success rate at NCLEX - so it obviously prepares nurses better than any other route.
Right? Right.
~faith,
Timothy.
Whatever.
Let's just QUIT making people feel bad about the choices they make. Let's QUIT bashing each other over this. Let's QUIT generalizing based on prejudice. It's so patently untrue that BSNs are less prepared than ADNs. It's a myth, a rumor, and a lie, and I'm sick and tired of hearing it. I can't tell the difference in the people I have worked with. Passing the NCLEX has nothing to do with your school, or your degree - it has to do with YOU.
Let's just QUIT making people feel bad about the choices they make. Let's QUIT bashing each other over this. Let's QUIT generalizing based on prejudice. It's so patently untrue that BSNs are less prepared than ADNs. It's a myth, a rumor, and a lie, and I'm sick and tired of hearing it. I can't tell the difference in the people I have worked with. Passing the NCLEX has nothing to do with your school, or your degree - it has to do with YOU.
Yes, let's.
And, I think that was part of the whole point the OP was trying to make (Please, correct me if I'm wrong, okie2!). No one should be criticized for their decision. Right or wrong, I know that many feel the entry requirements should be changed, and maybe eventually they will be. But, for now, no one is more of a nurse...or less, because of their degree. I just want to be a really good one, as I know we all do. :)
Let's just QUIT making people feel bad about the choices they make. Let's QUIT bashing each other over this. Let's QUIT generalizing based on prejudice. It's so patently untrue that BSNs are less prepared than ADNs. It's a myth, a rumor, and a lie, and I'm sick and tired of hearing it. I can't tell the difference in the people I have worked with. Passing the NCLEX has nothing to do with your school, or your degree - it has to do with YOU.
I agree, I am REALLY sick of hearing this RUMOR also. Everyone wants respect for their degree, this includes those in BSN programs. I have seen posts here by many ADN students and it ticks them off that SOME put down their degree...if this is the case then why turn right around and say something like "BSNs are less prepared than ADN's" or "I have heard MDs say that they would rather have an ADN nurse work with them" that is absolutely rediculous...this is what keeps this issue going. Do your job, do it the best you can and dont worry about what degree someone else has!
I agree, I am REALLY sick of hearing this RUMOR also. Everyone wants respect for their degree, this includes those in BSN programs.
This includes ALL degrees not just BSN! LPN, Diploma RN's, ASN's and BSN's they all want and deserve respect. PERIOD!
I have seen posts here by many ADN students and it ticks them off that SOME put down their degree...if this is the case then why turn right around and say something like "BSNs are less prepared than ADN's" or "I have heard MDs say that they would rather have an ADN nurse work with them" that is absolutely rediculous...this is what keeps this issue going.
I agree but what also keeps the issue going is BSN's saying that nursing should have a BSN ONLY entry. I believe statements like that are what make LPN's and ASN's feel threatened to come back and try to protect their choice in degree by claiming that an ASN is more prepared. Obviously both degrees prepare you similarly if both ASN and BSN graduates take and pass the same NCLEX test.
Do your job, do it the best you can and dont worry about what degree someone else has!
Excellent point!
Now for my 2 cents. I really dont care what anyone thinks of my choice, so much so that I am not even going to endulge any of you why I made the choices I made. However, this issue is going to be on going until we stop treating each other poorly and start respecting each other as RN's and not disrepect for the degree each of us chose to get.
BTW, there are plenty of medical professions that require an ADN only as entry. I am not saying RN should be one of them, I happen to like it the way it is. Allowing different entry level routes keeps this wonderful career open to any and everyone who has the desire to become a nurse, even those that dont have the means (whether its financial, time factors, or other issues) to obtain a BSN right off the bat. Everyone is looking at the down side of having multiple degree entry to being an RN but what about the positive side. First it gives our profession diversity. We have nurses from all walks of life and that keeps our profession real to our patients. Second, if we all had the same level of education then we would all be the same, like robots instead of people. Having diversity keeps us real people and not manufactured SAME degree robots. Third, it keeps the work search competitive. Just think, if everyone had the same degree then what would set me apart from SuzieBSN or SuzieBSN apart from ClaraASN.
Bottom line is if we want respect for our profession then we need to start acting like professionals. When other medical professions hear or read (yes I can guarantee other professions read this board) they lose respect for us because all they see is us bickering over who knows more or who had the better degree. Respect will come to our profession when we start respecting each other within our profession.
Bottom line is if we want respect for our profession then we need to start acting like professionals. When other medical professions hear or read (yes I can guarantee other professions read this board) they lose respect for us because all they see is us bickering over who knows more or who had the better degree. Respect will come to our profession when we start respecting each other within our profession.
Bottom line is if we want respect for our profession then we need to start acting like professionals. When other medical professions hear or read (yes I can guarantee other professions read this board) they lose respect for us because all they see is us bickering over who knows more or who had the better degree. Respect will come to our profession when we start respecting each other within our profession.
Take care all, I wish you all well!
Well, the general public consistently rates nurses as an honest and trustworthy profression, so who cares what other professions think. j/k
Also, if that's all they see when they come to this board, then they are specifically looking for it, because at any given time out of the thousands of posts on this board there are only a few threads ongoing about this debate. (And it's been ongoing since I've been here.)
Well, the general public consistently rates nurses as an honest and trustworthy profression, so who cares what other professions think. j/k
Very True, the problem arises within our profession and if it wasnt there then this and other threads about ASN/BSN debate wouldnt be in existance :)
Also, if that's all they see when they come to this board, then they are specifically looking for it, because at any given time out of the thousands of posts on this board there are only a few threads ongoing about this debate. (And it's been ongoing since I've been here.)
Sad if that's all they see when they come here.
But great post!
Actually, I didnt say that is all they come to this board for, however, if the debate is here then they will see it. I found this thread on the home page in the hot topics. I always read those first before going on to my normal sections. My point isnt about other professions as much as it is about OUR profession. I wont repeat what I said because I dont want to sound redundant but really if everyone is so concerned about our profession getting the respect it deserves, maybe we need to look to our patients for the answer. Everyone I know who isnt a nurse thinks the nursing profession is one of the most respected prestigous. Did I just say nursing is prestigous? LOL I didnt realize handling every bodily fluid known to mankind and maybe even some NOT known to mankind could be considered "prestigous". :)
I do have to share a story with you all that sort of relates to this but not really. My dad went to his doctor the other day for his routine hypertension checkup and he was telling his doctor about me going to nursing school. He tells my dad to tell me to go for my medical license instead of nursing because nurses get attacked from all sides of the spectrum. He said the doctors beat them up, the patients beat them up and their fellow nurses beat them up (not physically of course but I am sure you get my drift) I told my dad, yea and I will get beat up by my nursing instructors, nurse proctors and everyone else in between. This is different from other professions how? As a bookkeeper I got beat up by my clients (because I wouldnt alter their books so they could get out of paying taxes) by the CPA for the same reasons and so forth. It happens in every profession, its to be expected. I know that nurses tend to get more evil wraths than the norm, maybe this is what we need to focus more on bring respect to our profession by standing our ground together. We are NOT whipping post for people to beat up on, are we?
Anyway, I really hope that I can make a difference one patient at a time. That is my goal, everything else is just water under the bridge. :)
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.
:banghead:
luvmydanes2
8 Posts
same thing with me...ADN graduation was 12/06...BSN graduation 6/07...which is part of why the VA required the BSN instead.