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?
In my neck of the woods, the ADN programs are far more competitive than the BSN programs. This is usually due to cost. ADN programs cost 100k in student loans.
However, I do think that nursing needs to increase it's entry-level degree to the BSN. Maybe this could be done through partnerships between junior colleges and universities? If nurses wants to be viewed as legitimate professionals in the eyes of the public (nursing being a profession is a different argument altogether; Google the definition of professional), a bachelor's degree needs to be the level of entry. Period. I think the first thing that needs to be done is the closure of a lot of the astronomically-priced for-profit trade school-type programs that churn out grads while preying on the vulnerable. They do no service to the the public's perception/opinion of nursing, and they flood market with new grads. This can drive prestige, salaries, and job security down. Maybe we should take a hint from MDs and increase entry requirements in order to control supply-and-demand which in turn would increase salaries and job security (think ortho and plastics for instance)?
See, if you would use the quote button when responding, you would have realized that I am not the person to whom this is directed. I have no idea what you're responding to, but it's not me. My only contributions to this thread have been to implore you to use the ^#&%*@! quote button.
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.
And if everyone else was jumping off the Empire State Building, would you want to jump off the Empire State Building?? I don't see other professions indulging in pointless, pernicious "credential creep" as a reason for nursing to jump on that particular bandwagon.
The average salary difference between ADN and BSN is consistency $5-7k/yr by several studies. Remember that this is not corrected for years of experience. As time goes on this gap will widen.
Look at the trend in employer requiring/strong preference for BSN in new hires (as this is more important for new grads than average salary): 30.1% and 76.6% in 2011 then 39.1% and 77.4% in 2012 then 43.7% and 78.6% in 2013. Limited number of data points but is there a trend appearing?
Then log off or dont click on the post to begin with!! Its a FORUM. Topics will be discussed and discussed again and again and again. Cant handle it? Deactivate your account.
Spoken most likely by someone who is content and average. Average is the sorriest of the best and the best of the sorriest. Nursing should never be just "average" as a profession.
Spoken most likely by someone who is content and average. Average is the sorriest of the best and the best of the sorriest. Nursing should never be just "average" as a profession.
RNDude2012
112 Posts
In my neck of the woods, the ADN programs are far more competitive than the BSN programs. This is usually due to cost. ADN programs cost 100k in student loans.
However, I do think that nursing needs to increase it's entry-level degree to the BSN. Maybe this could be done through partnerships between junior colleges and universities? If nurses wants to be viewed as legitimate professionals in the eyes of the public (nursing being a profession is a different argument altogether; Google the definition of professional), a bachelor's degree needs to be the level of entry. Period. I think the first thing that needs to be done is the closure of a lot of the astronomically-priced for-profit trade school-type programs that churn out grads while preying on the vulnerable. They do no service to the the public's perception/opinion of nursing, and they flood market with new grads. This can drive prestige, salaries, and job security down. Maybe we should take a hint from MDs and increase entry requirements in order to control supply-and-demand which in turn would increase salaries and job security (think ortho and plastics for instance)?
Oh well, I'm off my soapbox now.