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?
Thank you everyone for your posts and insights. As i said before. All nurses, whether ASN, BSN or even MSN are much needed and appreciated. Many ASNs are much more experienced and knowledgeable than some BSNs i have encountered (and they would be the first to admit it) and vice versa. However, education continues to play a huge difference in creating change. Legislation is ongoing, in order to make it mandatory for nurses to have a bachelors degree before being a nurse. For example, Hospitals are not waiting for the outcome of the highly publicized “BSN in 10” bills — S4051/A2079B in New York and S620 (nee S2529)/A3768 in New Jersey — that are still awaiting closure in both legislatures, it seems, and are taking it upon themselves to get the ball rolling.
For those who think that Linda Aikens (PhD) is old or tired you should consider reading "Institute of Medicine. (2010). The future of nursing: Leading change".
For example, Hospitals are not waiting for the outcome of the highly publicized “BSN in 10” bills — S4051/A2079B in New York and S620 (nee S2529)/A3768 in New Jersey — that are still awaiting closure in both legislatures, it seems, and are taking it upon themselves to get the ball rolling.
Hospitals "are not waiting" because NY and NJ have talked about those bills for several years now, and, the last I heard, were no closer to getting them passed. I have not heard of any state getting close to mandating BSN degrees for nurses. Do you have some documentation of some state in which this has happened or is (seriously) about to happen? The ANA and other nursing organizations have been pushing for this for ~40 years now -- only one state, North Dakota, has ever passed a law mandating a BSN for licensure, and that state rescinded the law several years later.
Is there some new actual information about this, other than hopes and wishful thinking on the part of the pro-BSN folks?
You're right, lots of nurses have something to add. And many have done so in the MULTIPLE previous threads ?
Compagnox2 said:
LOL! sorry for the long write up and no need to be acrimonious or bombastic in your writing. I meant no wrong. If you do not wish to read my write up, simply dont read it and/or do not reply. In regards to RN403, as i said in my write up here, all nurses have something to add. ASNs are invaluable, but by 2020-they will all have to be RNs if they want to have a good job/position.
I'll eat my shorts if in FACT ALL nurses need to be BSN (I am assuming that's what you meant?) by 2020.
Compagnox2 said:
LOL! sorry for the long write up and no need to be acrimonious or bombastic in your writing. I meant no wrong. If you do not wish to read my write up, simply dont read it and/or do not reply. In regards to RN403, as i said in my write up here, all nurses have something to add. ASNs are invaluable, but by 2020-they will all have to be RNs if they want to have a good job/position.
Hospitals are hiring baccalaureate-prepared (a.k.a. BSN degree) RNs because they can. The current surplus of nurses in the employment marketplace is allowing this to transpire.
I would agree with this statement. I'm in a ADN program and I'm already looking for schools to pursue my BSN. Main reason is because I know eventually it will be required. Although I think the additional education add something valuable to BSN prepared nurses the truth to the matter is the job market is so saturated in general that you pretty much need a degree to do just about anything. Employers now want you to have a degree to be a secretary! (not that there is nothing wrong with being a secretary) but I remember getting hired as an administrative assistant in several positions with just a high school diploma. Now they require you to have a BS degree. The job market is tough and requiring the higher education is a weeding tool to lessen the applicant pool.
The definition of "good job" is subjective. While I am very happy with my degree and job (and there are adn and bsn nurses where I work) there are others who will turn up their nose at what I do :)
Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.
I have a BSN, but honestly I thought the BSN classes were all a bunch of stupid'fluff' - lots of paper writing and group work. If the BSN is going to be a more advanced degree than the ADN, can we throw in some practical advanced skills classes- like wrangling small children, ACLS or more med-surg?
I'm still annoyed I struggle to put in decent IVs, almost 2 years out from school. My ADN-prepared peers were doing this sort of thing well before I was. No one I work with in a clinic cares I can write really well and like to read current evidence on our practices.
LOL! sorry for the long write up and no need to be acrimonious or bombastic in your writing. I meant no wrong. If you do not wish to read my write up, simply dont read it and/or do not reply. In regards to RN403, as i said in my write up here, all nurses have something to add. ASNs are invaluable, but by 2020-they will all have to be RNs if they want to have a good job/position.
"ASNs are invaluable, but by 2020-they will all have to be RNs if they want to have a good job/position"
I'm really hoping that you realize that you are an RN despite ASN or BSN status
I'm going to use acrimonious and bombastic the next time I have a conversation with a nurse and see where it gets me in the discussion. Acrimonious and bombastic. Sounds like how my tummy feels when I have overindulged in some calorie-laden carbohydrates.
When I was preparing for nursing school the last time, there were two ASN programs and one BSN program in the area. I was informed that one of the ASN programs was considered to be superior. I more than likely would have received a better nursing education there, but I chose the BSN program because I knew about the push for BSN education. Was I favorably impressed by the BSN program? Absolutely not. Any meaningful nursing education I have received from RN mentors on the job, since I left school. School did nothing more than provide the pieces of paper to the Board to cause me to be able to sit for the NCLEX, nothing more, nothing less. I refuse to discount my experience because it is not considered to be pc. It is what it is. I was lucky to have the good nurses along the way who have taught me a lot.
Compagnox2
26 Posts
Thank you everyone for your posts and insights. As i said before. All nurses, whether ASN, BSN or even MSN are much needed and appreciated. Many ASNs are much more experienced and knowledgeable than some BSNs i have encountered (and they would be the first to admit it) and vice versa. However, education continues to play a huge difference in creating change. Legislation is ongoing, in order to make it mandatory for nurses to have a bachelors degree before being a nurse. For example, Hospitals are not waiting for the outcome of the highly publicized “BSN in 10” bills — S4051/A2079B in New York and S620 (nee S2529)/A3768 in New Jersey — that are still awaiting closure in both legislatures, it seems, and are taking it upon themselves to get the ball rolling.
For those who think that Linda Aikens (PhD) is old or tired you should consider reading "Institute of Medicine. (2010). The future of nursing: Leading change".