In my estimation there are many differences. When I used to ask this question, some would say "nothing really, just management stuff". Wow was I in for a learning curve in the BSN program.
I don't understand why there aren't real, substantive answers as to why it seems that more hospitals and nursing in general are moving to all BSN status as a minimum.
First, allow me to just say that there are some really GREAT ASNs out there. Their experience, caring and thoughtful nursing skill sets are invaluable. I know of quite a few myself whom I would have care for me or any of my loved ones, due to the fact I know they care and are extremely good at what they do. Secondly, the field of nursing is a great, well respected career path. Any degree in Nursing is indeed a good choice, but why not make a great choice? There are many career paths within the field of nursing and different areas of nursing one can follow or get into. The major two types are the ASN and the BSN. How does it differ from a nurse who has an associate degree in nursing? Are there any differences other than being in school a little longer? Is the pay different? Is it only for a "managers job?".
The associate degree nurse is commonly called the "associate of science in nursing" or ASN degree nurse. An associate degree nurse has commonly completed approximately two years of nursing school training. However before entering any nursing program the student must have completed the prerequisites in order to be accepted into that program. Many times this entails having completed one to two years of education in order to meet the requirements for nursing school. Many students finish much more quickly but not without, arguably, hard work and a lot of time and energy. The latter being true for nursing education in general. ASN nurses take courses in, most obviously, nursing. However, the curriculum includes many other facets of learning. ASNs take courses in psychology, nutrition, microbiology, chemistry, physiology as well as social and behavioral sciences. One thing all nursing schools and curriculums have in common are hours of supervised clinical experience. While the course is technically only two years long, many students, young and old alike say it's one of the toughest programs they have ever encountered.
The baccalaureate in nursing program adds to the educational development of the registered nurse by including several other aspects of nursing. Baccalaureate or commonly called "bachelor" nursing programs contain all of the course work taught in ASN and diploma programs plus a more in-depth treatment of the physical and social sciences, research in the field of nursing, public and community health, nursing management and supervising, as well as the humanities. The additional coursework can continue to enhance the nursing student's professional development It also prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice, and provides the nursing student, whether already an ASN or not with a better understanding of the economic, political, cultural, and social issues that affect a patient and influence health care delivery. Throughout the last decade, policymakers and nursing practice leaders have recognized that education makes a difference. One of the major differences is in the area of "people". That is to say, BSNs' learn more on how to deal with people and the dynamics of the people in the workplace as well as effective management and productivity of those people. Also, registered nurses with a BSN possess a substantial chance for advancing their careers. As an example, a bachelor's in nursing degree is needed for acceptance into a master's nursing program, which could result in a career in healthcare administration, health services, or on to specialty nursing roles like nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse leader. A BSN is also favored and frequently necessitated for military and public health nursing and other more specialized jobs.
Now, with that said. Education is a great way to become enlightened on even more nursing information and for creation of change in the profession. All one has to do is look up Linda Aiken, RN and the information from her years of research on nursing will enlighten and brighten ones' thoughts on this matter -of magnet hospitals and/or facilities. Dr. Aiken and colleagues found (in over a decade of research) that hospitals that employed a higher percentile of BSNs had lower surgical patient mortality rates than hospitals that staffed with fewer BSNs (Hanink, 2014). The study was done in 2003 and other studies are continuing even now. All point to a need in a BSN. The study in 2003 was done on 168 hospitals. In addition, hospitals with RNs holding a bachelor's degree or higher ranged from 0% to 77% across the hospitals. a 10% increase in the proportion of nurses holding a bachelor's degree was associated with a 5% decrease in both the likelihood of patients dying within 30 days of admission and the odds of failure to rescue (JAMA, 2003). I would strongly recommend that any and all nurses read Dr. Aikens' research paper on this. It can be found in the link below.
Everywhere nurses look, other professions are taking on additional responsibilities, given more credibility and even more respect (PTs, OTs, Pharmacists, RTs etc) while nurses are seen as the pill pushers, IV starters etc. We need to educate ourselves and be proactive in all areas of patient care. That would include management, and lobbying congress for better nurse ratios as well.
On a personal note, if you are someone in nursing school or are considering nursing. Consider going for the BSN. The ASN is good if you are considering working and THEN going for your BSN, however as most nurses will tell you. It's hard to stop then start again, and sometimes expensive. Just keep going. Don't stop.
I like to write as you can tell. So what do you think?
I would like to comment on the notion that patients have better outcomes (less mortality) when cared for by BSN nurses. How was that accurately measured? How can they possibly measure that is was the BSN that gave those patients better outcomes and not some other factor? Maybe the hospital that employs mostly BSN nurses is a highly accredited teaching hospital that employs top notch providers in every field? Maybe the hospitals that had higher mortality rates with ADN nurses also has high rates of physician complaints or high turnover rates or ratios for all disciplines? Maybe there is some other factor contributing to mortality? Maybe the hospital lacks a risk management team or is lacking on training? Maybe the patient population is poorer or sicker? Maybe it is just random. I just don't see how they can determine it was the degree level of the nurse that lead to better outcomes and not some other factor. I think as nurses, regardless of our degree, it is important we question things, that we seek accurate answers. It is important that we don't just listen to what others say and assume that they know what they are talking about. I know I only have an associates degree but something just doesn't add up.
Here's an example of how furthering your education helps advance the profession as whole and makes you a more well-rounded nurse. Learning to accurately evaluate research comes with a BSN education. This is an invaluable skill to have. The study you're talking about included cross-sectional analyses that adjusted for patient characteristics, hospital characteristics, nurse staffing, nurse experience, and even physician variables. It was a legit study, in other words.
I think arguing against education is ridiculous, personally. If we want more respect from other disciplines in the healthcare profession and the public, we need to be willing to earn it. That partly includes advancing our education.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Compagnox2 said:
A quote BUTTON? do you mean a keyboard key
No, at the bottom of the post you are responding to is an option for "quote". Using this options makes it much easier to follow the conversation because we can then see who/what you are responding to. Otherwise, your post merely shows up at the end of the thread with zero point of reference. Quoted posts show up in another post in a white box indicating that it is quoted. A link is also provided to go back to the original post that was quoted.
I had a BS in Exercise Science 10 years prior to going back for my ADN in nursing. I still hold an ADN and make more and work fewer hours than many BSN's. I felt, like many ADNs, that going back for another BS was ridiculous when you won't even be paid for the expense or time. Now I'm pursuing an MSN which will lead to ACTUAL gains in both professionalism and lifestyle enhancement. I wanted the fastest track to RN after my name. Yes the trend to have BSN after your name is what's happening, but it's not the right course for everyone and that's OK too.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Quite honestly, I'd like to see the BSN become the minimum for RN entry- just to stop the bickering about whose degree is better. I work with a heck of a lot of diploma and ADN grads (hospital diploma school that transitioned to ADN and now auto enrolls into the BSN completion). These nurses are phenomenal, and many have decades of experience to share. However, (and it's nowhere within the policies) the word on the street is that come 2020, no BSN = no job anymore. The right way to do it is to grandfather in those who already have licenses or already started programs. This debate is tearing nursing apart- it's time to end it.
You take offense? What about the physicians assistants? for a while there some physician assistants were working with only an associate degree. Physical therapists have a minimum of a bachelors and more and more required to have a Masters degree. The Main hospital where i live requires their respiratory therapists to be enrolled in a bachelors degree program or have a bachelors.
Why is it so offensive? I don't know you. I meant what i said. ADNs make for some great nurses. There are good ones and bad ones. However, a BSN has shown continued resilience in learning. In ANY other profession a Bachelors degree is always seen quite differently than an associates degree. Why should it be different in nursing? think about it, why?
I would just like to add, I have personally worked with "bad" BSN prepared nurses. Having a BSN does NOT guarantee one will be, a good nurse.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Compagnox2 said:
A quote BUTTON? do you mean a keyboard key
At the present time I am creating this specific post while using the quote feature to refer directly back to your question regarding a 'quote button.' In essence, using the quote feature enables other readers to see exactly which post you are responding to.
Do you see the words that you typed on January 3rd, 2015 above, in a highlighted white rectangle with your username situated just above your words? That's what the quote function does. When you create posts using the quote button, it lets others know that you are responding to a specific post.
Approximately three icons are situated at the bottom right-hand corner of each post. If you want to reply to a specific post, you click on the 'quote' icon and start typing your post.
Compagnox2 said:
hahahahahahaha your a nurse. Go look it up. hahahahhaha
You're a nurse, too. Congratulations to you!
By the way, the correct word usage in your aforementioned sentence is you're (contraction for 'you are') and not your. I felt like illumunating that grammatical error, although I possess the supposedly lowly ASN degree instead of the exalted BSN degree that was conferred to you.
I completely respect your points made. However, this is not furthering the profession of nursing. Education furthers the profession of nursing.
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, etc are being called upon to enter their professions with a minimum of a bachelors degree. Meanwhile, nurses continue to work and enter the profession of nursing with an associates degree. We, as nurses must continue to lobby for changes via education.
At the present time I am creating this specific post while using the quote feature to refer directly back to your question regarding a 'quote button.' In essence, using the quote feature enables other readers to see exactly which post you are responding to.
Do you see the words that you typed on January 3rd, 2015 above, in a highlighted white rectangle with your username situated just above your words? That's what the quote function does. When you create posts using the quote button, it lets others know that you are responding to a specific post.
Approximately three icons are situated at the bottom right-hand corner of each post. If you want to reply to a specific post, you click on the 'quote' icon and start typing your post.
You're a nurse, too. Congratulations to you!
By the way, the correct word usage in your aforementioned sentence is you're (contraction for 'you are') and not your. I felt like illumunating that grammatical error, although I possess the supposedly lowly ASN degree instead of the exalted BSN degree that was conferred to you.
The second half of this post just made my night. Hahahaha! #ADNwin
Compagnox2
26 Posts
A quote BUTTON? do you mean a keyboard key