Sick and tired of the AAS BSN debate

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SO

I am a new RN, graduated from one of the toughest nursing programs in the country.

I was lucky enough to land a job in this economy, even better in the department that I love the most!

Life is great, seriously..What could go wrong?!

Its another day in nursing orientation, a handful of us new nurses listening to lectures, performing skills, participating in work shops. FUN!

One day, for the head to toe assessment, a nursing instructor from a private school sits in with her clinical group to listen to the head to toe lecture.

She starts off by saying..

Congratulations you all have jobs!!!

Its because you all have your bachelors... be sure to tell that to all your friends who have their associates.

I was the only one in the group with an associates in nursing.

So I said, I have an associates, and last I checked I have a job.

I SOOOOOOOOO wanted to go on.

I wanted to ask her, with a genuinely dumb look on my face..

The nurses with their bachelors, do they take a different board exam from those associate nurses?

Wait for a response, then come back with EXACTLYYYYY!

I felt about 2 inches tall, but whatever. The school I went to had 1500 applicants, and I was the lucky person to be included in the 150 to get accepted ...of those 150, i was the lucky 70 to graduate on time (we had 90 something at pinning but we had about a dozen of LPNs and the rest were students who had to repeat a course)

Needless to say, I felt small. Was unable to concentrate, but I reminded myself of the little things..and began to feel better.

No student loans to pay back!! So my first paycheck, Im going to blow it and go shopping!!!

I am only making a whopping...drum roll please...50 cents less per hour than those with a higher degree.

I saved a ton of money by taking the NCLEX once and passing it on the first try, with 75 questions baby!

I am going back for my bachelors, my masters even (i would love to have that clinical instructor work for me one day) this time the place I work for is going to reimburse me for my tuition.

This post is not an invitation to flame and debate some more on why one is "better" than the other

This was an opportunity to share my experience, hopefully lift the spirits of someone who had a similar story.

se la vie

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Yeah that!

(where is the "yeah that" smiley anyhooo!)

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The nurse who said that has bad manners.

I have an ADN, I took classes towards my BSN, some were absolutely wonderful, some were embarrisingly lame. I dropped out for various lame reasons. I have worked with CNA's who had more "professinalism" in their work ethics, patient care, etc. than co-workers with their Masters.

I'm not against anyone getting more education. I love school, love learning. But I repeat the nursing instructor had very bad manners for a "professional."

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Specializes in OR.

chill out. The hospital is probably trying to get magnet status or something. If thats the case then they need a certain percentage of nurses with their bachlors.

btw I didnt have student loans, also blew my first paycheck on shopping AND passed NCLEX on the first try with 75 questions. These arent special characteristics only for associate nurses.

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).

This is such an OLD debate...and I'm tired of it too! Back when I was in school (BSN, graduated 1983), we always heard about how ADN nurses were going to be "phased out", and I thought "whew, glad I'm in a BSN program". Well, hello....the ADN's are still here, baby.....and I'm glad they are! I teach in an ADN nursing program.

Don't let anyone make you feel bad. ADN, BSN, they all take the same test! Be proud.

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RN = RN regardless of what other letters and credentials come after that.

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chill out.

That is so condescending and dismissive.

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that was not a good look for that teacher.

she should have determined who was in her listening audience before slinging that barb.

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Specializes in PP, Pediatrics, Home Health.

It so does not matter if you have a BSN or not.You are still a nurse!

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
chill out. The hospital is probably trying to get magnet status or something. If thats the case then they need a certain percentage of nurses with their bachlors.

btw I didnt have student loans, also blew my first paycheck on shopping AND passed NCLEX on the first try with 75 questions. These arent special characteristics only for associate nurses.

I think you completely missed the point of the OP, and managed to be very rude at the same time. Are these special characteristics for BSN's? :jester: J/K

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That was one rude instructor! This debate has been going on for decades...I am sick of it also. The one thing that does bother me is that I will be passed over for positions and have those positions given to someone with less experience just because they have a degree (BSN). That is why I'm back in school at the age of 53. Can't beat 'em join 'em.

Congrats to all nursing grads no matter what your status!!! AD, Diploma, BSN etc!

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My first thought is that instructor had self interest in mind when she made that comment. I am inferring from your post that she is an instructor in a BSN program. It is in her best interest, (and her own job security) to try to advance the idea that nurses who attend a BSN program are superior.

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