This is why I want a BSN.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

There are many compelling reasons to want a BSN.

The Aiken studies have been debated for years. Take a look at this thread, particularly #5. https://allnurses.com/registered-nurses-diploma/does-article-prove-132809.html

The article link you provided is over six years old. Since then this study hasn't stood the tests of peer review or replication.

meluhn · Feb 21, 2009

I also had an ADN and before that an LPN. I recently finished an RN to BSN program. I have to tell you that I learned everything I needed to know in my ADN program (also very militant). Don't get me wrong, the BSN is nice to have but the ADN really does prepare you for patient care. I didn't even have any hospital clinicals in my BSN program, it was all community health and leadership and such. The only remotely medical class I had to take was health assessment and that was just brushing up on my skills(2 credits). Don't let this nonsense get to you. These studies are done by nurses with PHDs:bowingpur in nursing who really need to get a life.

Get your BSN anyway but know that you are still a good nurse without it. That being said I do think we would command more respect from other disciplines if a BSN were the entry level for nurses. Also, if you think you get no respect, try being an LPN! :lol2:

loricatus · Feb 21, 2009

I have my BSN and I can tell you that study really exemplifies the BS part of the degree.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

There are many compelling reasons to want a BSN.
The Aiken studies have been debated for years. Take a look at this thread, particularly #5. https://allnurses.com/registered-nurses-diploma/does-article-prove-132809.html
The article link you provided is over six years old. Since then this study hasn't stood the tests of peer review or replication.

I also had an ADN and before that an LPN. I recently finished an RN to BSN program. I have to tell you that I learned everything I needed to know in my ADN program (also very militant). Don't get me wrong, the BSN is nice to have but the ADN really does prepare you for patient care. I didn't even have any hospital clinicals in my BSN program, it was all community health and leadership and such. The only remotely medical class I had to take was health assessment and that was just brushing up on my skills(2 credits). Don't let this nonsense get to you. These studies are done by nurses with PHDs:bowingpur in nursing who really need to get a life.
Get your BSN anyway but know that you are still a good nurse without it. That being said I do think we would command more respect from other disciplines if a BSN were the entry level for nurses. Also, if you think you get no respect, try being an LPN!

I have my BSN and I can tell you that study really exemplifies the BS part of the degree.

You guys rained on my parade. :cry: I'll be in the corner with the tissue box if you need me.

Anyway, yeah, I saw it was old Tweety but I've heard that a lot so I found it interesting. I didnt know it met with such harsh criticism though. Thats something to think about.

I understand what you mean meluhn. Although I tell people never get the LPN, always go the RN route, I have a lot of respect for LPNs and do know a little about what your are refering to. When I was a CNA in a nursing home, my closest friend in the place was an LPN. She got so pooped on by the RNs. I hated those RNs for that, and it wasnt even directed at me.

Loricatus, one question, a serious question. OK, so having your BSN you say this study exemplifies the BS part of the degree. What do you consider the advantages of the degree? I'd like to know. I still want my BSN in a bad way, just interested in the practical advantages of it (not raises or better chance at being charge nurse).

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

I I didn't even have any hospital clinicals in my BSN program, it was all community health and leadership and such. The only remotely medical class I had to take was health assessment and that was just brushing up on my skills(2 credits).

How would you have felt if they made you have medical/nursing clinicals? Would you have liked to go into a hospital, have someone precept you, watch you check off meds? ADN to BSN programs are a bit different, as I'm sure you know because it's mainly completing what you didn't get in the ADN program. ADN RNs are already hospital bedside prepared, no need to criticize your program for not offering you more of that. But I do understand your point in that getting the BSN didn't make you a safer nurse, as this study hints it would have. :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

What do you consider the advantages of the degree? I'd like to know. I still want my BSN in a bad way, just interested in the practical advantages of it (not raises or better chance at being charge nurse).

I definitely recommend you get your BSN. I went ADN to BSN myself. The advantages are going to be greater job opportunities as you age. For example you might want to teach, go into public health, do research, go into management/administration, safety, etc. etc. In many areas of the country these jobs are BSN-required or BSN-preferred.

Just don't come out of your BSN program with an attitude "I'm a superior and safer nurse than the ADN's" because that not only isn't true, it will get you eaten alive. LOL

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

I definitely recommend you get your BSN. I went ADN to BSN myself. The advantages are going to be greater job opportunities as you age. For example you might want to teach, go into public health, do research, go into management/administration, safety, etc. etc. In many areas of the country these jobs are BSN-required or BSN-preferred.
Just don't come out of your BSN program with an attitude "I'm a superior and safer nurse than the ADN's" because that not only isn't true, it will get you eaten alive. LOL

Ah, I think teaching is my LONG long term goal. I'd love to teach at a community college. That'd be......more of a retirement plan.

Being more well rounded cant hurt either. I consider myself to be.......a little too task oriented for my experience level. When people point things out to me, I am just amazed with how they piece things together/disapointed in how I dont all the time. Being more well rounded might help with that.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

It certainly wouldn't hurt you. There have been nurses who've felt their ADN to BSN, or extra courses in the BSN program were a waste of time. But for me, I certainly appreciated them, especially since it was 15 years between my ADN and my BSN.

I learned a lot of new stuff in my patho and assessment classes, or at least it reinforced stuff I already new. Things change over time as knowledge is gained, and getting up to date helped me.

Also, taking statistics and research helped. I no longer read studies at face value. For example the article you posted in the op, I've learned to think "is it peer reviewed, can it be replicated, what was the sample like, what factors might have skewed it, etc."

I had to do a detailed assessment of the community I live in and learned so much, our public health system here, resources available for elders and poverty stricken citizens, as well as even the air and water quality.

I definitely feel I'm a better more well-rounded nurse than I was before. That's my personal experience, and everyone is different.

Finally, the sense of personal accomplishment at getting a Bachelor's degree was priceless.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

I'd like a little sense of accomplishment myself too.

meluhn · Feb 21, 2009

Tweety,

I was not criticizing, merely making the point that you restated, my BSN program did not make me a safer nurse. I would have hated to do more clinical in the hospital, however, I did think before getting into my BSN program that there would be some. It might have been nice to go into a higher acuity area after having been an RN for a while and see what it was like in say CT ICU, while still being under the protection of instructors and preceptors. But alas, it did not happen, nbd.

Defenitely a great sense of pride and accomplishment from getting my BSN. I would encourage everyone to do it if you get the chance. I enjoyed the program much more than the ADN program because it was much less stressful and demanding. Not saying it was a picnic but nothing compared to the ADN program and the classes were fun and interesting.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

My pet peeve is when ADN's describe themselves as "just a 2 year RN." Or RN's say "just an LPN." As an ex-HM I know that the LPN's are strong procedurally. I think the ADNs are strong on sheer number of clinical hours.

We can all teach each other something is my point. Degrees don't always convey common sense or competence.