Some questions for all the nurses

[RNIAM]

BSN nurses would you be happy with the LPN, RN, BSN etc, if You had something more to show for you degree?

What I mean is this . What if when you graduated their was a destiction between a four,two or one year program?

This would mean that you as BSN graduates would have to take a harder exam befiiting you extended education. Maybe their could be a new title for you, istead of RN you might be called BN (bachelorette Nurse) With it came a higher pay. Would this stop the everyone has to become a BSN or would it just add more fuel to the fire?

For the RN two year program nurses. How would you feel? Would this be fair in your estimation or would you feel slighted?I truly would love to see a unified proffession. Is this one way to get their?

Here is a post question to LPN's and Two year RN's If money was not an object, would you become a BSN? If your experience counted towards your degree would that help? What would it take for you to want to get more education? How about paid trainning and education? Thanks for your input

[WalMart_ADN]

well said renee

very well said Heather

Mark... no comment

[schrandt]

Additionally, I am more informed about biobehavioral/biological research in nursing & have been exposed to several journals/readings/new ideas. In short, the educational opportunities have made the BSN road worth it. It has exposed me to issues beyond those taught to us in nursing school, and has helped shape future career plans (ie. plans for graduate school/NP route & involvement in research).

As for the clinical skills, these can be enhanced by working as a nursing assistant. I have done so for 3 months (telemetry, med-surg), and will work in a burn unit for the next year. It is difficult to work while in school, but the skills learned are important & will improve my professionalism & marketablility once I graduate.

There is more to getting a BSN than many people realize, I think. More doors open, more opportunities are available. Thanks.

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Oh you said this so well. I am an ADN grad from 84. The college I attended has turned out very capable nurses able to jump right into the acute care setting and perform procedures very competently. On the flip side, some of the BSN students did fell they were "above" the rest-drove me nuts. They had a lot of difficulty performing technical duties. But I have to admit it didn't take them long . My decision to finish my BSN in order to persue my masters was one that will allow myself to be much more marketable, and like it or not folks, a masters is required in order to teach and hold my administrative positions. Does it make us better? Absolutely not! And regardless of what type of program we attended, we all take the same boards. It doesn't matter what letters you have behind your name, we all practice nursing. In my case, it was a matter of choice. And yes, it will mean a raise for me. Fair? I honestly don't know, but it is nice to be recognized for additional education. But no, it doesn't affect the job I am able to do. As far as the masters person that painted her nails, the employer has a responsibility to evaluate performance and take her to task for that.

I would like to see some type of cohesiveness among nursing, allowing ALL nurses to belong to state and national organizations regardless of education. No wonder we fight bite and backstab and can't get anywhere when we have to argue over stuff like this. Unless we pull together I don't look for the nursing atmosphere to change anytime soon.

[schrandt]

biobehavioral/biological research in nursing & have been exposed to several journals/readings/new ideas. In short, the educational opportunities have made the BSN road worth it. It has exposed me to issues beyond those taught to us in nursing school, and has helped shape future career plans (ie. plans for graduate school/NP route & involvement in research).

will improve my professionalism & marketablility once I graduate.

There is more to getting a BSN than many people realize, I think. More doors open, more opportunities are available. Thanks.

-----------

Oh you said this so well. I am an ADN grad from 84. The college I attended has turned out very capable nurses able to jump right into the acute care setting and perform procedures very competently. On the flip side, some of the BSN students did fell they were "above" the rest-drove me nuts. They had a lot of difficulty performing technical duties. But I have to admit it didn't take them long . My decision to finish my BSN in order to persue my masters was one that will allow myself to be much more marketable, and like it or not folks, a masters is required in order to teach and hold my administrative positions. Does it make us better? Absolutely not! And regardless of what type of program we attended, we all take the same boards. It doesn't matter what letters you have behind your name, we all practice nursing. In my case, it was a matter of choice. And yes, it will mean a raise for me. Fair? I honestly don't know, but it is nice to be recognized for additional education. But no, it doesn't affect the job I am able to do. As far as the masters person that painted her nails, the employer has a responsibility to evaluate performance and take her to task for that.

I would like to see some type of cohesiveness among nursing, allowing ALL nurses to belong to state and national organizations regardless of education. No wonder we fight bite and backstab and can't get anywhere when we have to argue over stuff like this. Unless we pull together I don't look for the nursing atmosphere to change anytime soon.

[schrandt]

[Ahhh, the ADN vs BSN war has erupted again...

The great debate probably started back in 1965 when the ANA recommended the BSN as the minimum education requirement for "professional" nursing and the AS degree as the minimum for "technical" nursing. Prior to this the debate probably centered on "BSN vs Diploma" since the AS degree/community college programs didn't really begin until the late '50s / early '60s due to...that's right....A NURSING SHORTAGE!! Deja vu?

In 1978, the ANA stated that by 1985 the minimum education level for entry level nurses should be the BSN and in 1982 the NLN also agreed with the BSN recommendation.

So why hasn't the BSN as the entry level education recommendation become a reality?

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It sounds like I went to the same class you did. Way back in 81 the idea erupted again to make the BSN entry level for RNs. If that had been the case, I'd have never finished. It is a huge time, financial and emotional commitment. I don't think the idea will ever fly. Not with so much being said about the nursing shortage. In addition, aging baby boomers will fill up hospitals and nursing homes in years to come and lots more nurses will be needed. My figures may be wrong but the other day I read where there will be around 200,000 nurses short by the year 2010. Currently, less that 2% of nurses are enrolled in advanded degree courses. So if we need new nurses, then who is going to teach them??

[salve#1]

BS AS. It makes no difference. As an AS I came out with more skills then anyBSN. If you want it to go into management or advanced degree then fine. But on the floor you are not entitled to anything more then the rest of us!

[suzielee]

BSCN or 3 and a half year diploma at community college-either way it all leads to becoming a nurse. Everyone has choices on how to get there. The end result is all the same. I agree that only female dominated professions tend to become obsessed with rank and stature. The end result is that we all sit and write the same boards so we obviously have comparible educations. Get over it!

[researchrabbit]

Well, but how much do we want to specialize nurses? Typically, nurses have been generalists -- even though I work in psychiatry, I could get a job tomorrow in oncology.

A BSN is wonderful -- and is probably necessary for management or teaching or any area where the nurse will be doing a lot of writing, teaching, public speaking, managing other employees -- in short, all those "extras" that are over and above what the majority of nurses do, which is taking care of patients on a hospital floor. The BSN is its own reward, in the expanded opportunities for those that have it.

Even then, though, 20 years experience and proven talent may make up for the extra 2 years of school. A liberal arts education is great when you're 20 but when you're 40...maybe you've already opened your eyes and learned a lot of what younger people get from a liberal arts curriculum. Talent will out...and someone who didn't have the time or money for the 4-year degree may be gifted at writing, speaking, organizing, or interpersonal relations.

Plus...you have the oddballs like me. I have a 2-year RN. I also have a BA in languages with a teaching certificate and experience, plus more than 40 combined grad school hours in counseling AND English Lit (can you tell I like school?). Do I really NEED to go back to school and take yet MORE courses for a BSN? And if I went back for the BSN (yes, I've checked into it), it's a 15-hour minimum EVEN IF I HAVE ALL THE CLASSES THEY REQUIRE. Plus, some classes always don't transfer ("Oh, so for your program I have to take an UNDERGRADUATE statistics class even though I got an A in my GRADUATE statistics class?").

Some BSN nurses are resistant to my "BA RN" -- I've been told that my BA "doesn't count" by several BSNs. Since I did the time, I'm wearing the degree, and I don't care as long as they are not saying "yeah, so she's as big as a BARN"!

[Rube]

A very god response, Maula, RN and gkplatt. Those were my thoughts. As an LPN to ADN to BSN with an ANCC certificate my critical tinking skills have been increased. The more theroy I have under my belt the more complex situations I am able to resolve. I am NOT compnsated with pay for my expertise either by my degree or by my 30 years experince -- which woul be nice as I am still pying off student loans. If there was higher salary with improved educational benefits I woul finish my masters and I know other nurses who would obtain a higher degree. It was worth it. I have been upward mobility all my nursing days. I encourage anyone who considers themself a professional nurse to obtain more education in the vast areas out there.

[mark_LD_RN]

HEY HEATHER SHE TOLD ME TO GO PLAY SO I WAS JUST FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS. IT GETS TO BE SO FUN HERE AT TIMES. IF I WANT AN ARGUEMENT I KNOWW WHERE TO LOOK.I JUST NEED TO FIND ANY ADN vs BSN THREAD I AN SURE TO FIND AN ARGUMENT. AND SORRY I STILL DON'T SEE MYSELF AS A SMART***, ONLY RESPONDED IN KIND.. IT DONT LOOK VERY ONE SIDED TO ME. EVERY ONE HAVE FUN NOW.AND A GOOD NIGHT TO YOU ALL,:)

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

howdy yall

from deep in the heat of texas

ckirby, you done well. As another raiser of 7 kids, 5 boys and 2 girls. I can say you done very well. But you poor guy, 6 girls. Remember they are cute when they are little. but when thewy are a teen, they turn on you. All I can say is speak softly and keep a shotgun handy.

Here we go with the bsn vs adn thing again. All I will say is you tell them heather

doo wah ditty