To BSN or not to BSN

Published

Hello everyone! I am currently an LVN ( In california ) recently graduated, I have been mostly volunteering and keeping my old job in retail so I can continue school ( at a JC at the moment). My question is, whether to become simply an RN or BSN. There are several programs near my to become both. From what I have research, most hospitals or any acute care center for that matter prefers or wants BSN's. Is that mostly true in California? How is it out of state? or out of the Bay area from Cali?

My question is basically If i become just an RN is it going to be that impossible to get employment? I don't really want to spend another 2-3 years on prereqs and then the 2 more years of nursing. Where as I could just take the 2-2.5 years to become an RN. I know they say, "oh but for BSN you can get into management"...eh thats not really my interest. I want to be there helping people or teach after i have experience. I am more of a holistic nurse at heart anyway. "PREVENTION IS KEY" I always say. haha

Well let me know what you all think. Advise or comments are welcome. Even your own experiences if you do not mind sharing! Thanks and take care!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Why would you have two-three years of prereqs? I would contact a BSN program to find out if you get any credit for your LVN course work. Also, you have to think about your ability to get a job after you graduate. I would just go for the BSN if you can. You will need it eventually anyways, especially if you plan on staying in Cali. From what I have heard, it is next to impossible for a new grad to get hired even with a BSN. If you work as an LVN while in NS, you should have a way better chance of getting hired.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well I went to a vocational school for my LVN. I didn't stop to consider if my coursework would be able to transfer then. Most schools that I have talked to won't accept anything from them, so it's like basically restarting my GE. Thats why i would have another 2 years or so of GE. Especially since the JC i attend has a huge student population, wait lists and few classes area big problem.

Staying in Cali is not a concern for me, I would move. However I would like to stay but its not really a huge deal. Isn't so crazy, people want to be nurses to help out, and even with a BSN as a new grad you may not get a 100% chance of hire. Always amazes me.

For now I'm talking GE to be on track for a BSN program but how long it takes is so discouraging. =/

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric, geriatric, medical.

One of the first things I was told by my first nursing director. Make sure the school is accredited, make sure your instructors have masters IN NURSING. Also that your credits from other schools are transferable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric, geriatric, medical.

Oh and also, keep ALL of your transcripts from other schools.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Where do you want to work? Most LTC facilities don't require a BSN for any position, all the way up to DON. And LTC nursing is more holistic than acute care. Hospitals focus on medical dx, for obvious reasons. If you want to be an actual nursing educator, you will need a BSN, of course. But there's plenty of jobs for ADNs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room.

It depends on where you work and how far you want to advance in your career. I personally think that the more education you have, you expand your opportunities. I used to think that I would never want to work anything other than bedside, but that changed over the years and having a BSN has made it possible for me to get jobs that I would not have gotten without it (not management). Now I am in a Masters program and look forward to those possibilities as well. Good luck with your decision, but more knowledge can only help you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Inpatient Obstetrics Certification.

I am really sad about the comment of just an RN. I worked with my ADN for 34 years and I flll like I was an RN not just an RN. Since then I got my BSN and will starting school in Sept for my MSN. I believe that you should go for your BSN. Please don't think that a nurse with her ADN is "just a nurse". Many great RN's out their work with a ADN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am in NY, but I have heard much of what you are hearing in CA. Our hospital is interested in BSN prepared nurses. I work in home care and my agency only accepts RN, BSN nurses as well. I had gotten my RN (after having a BA much earlier) and decided to stay in school to finish the BSN out took a lot of work, but I appreciated the wider appreciation of different aspects of nursing. I have gotten into staff education after being a field nurse and I thought the wider focus definitely helped me. If you have a chance to go for the BSN, I would encourage you to do it (especially if you are just starting out...I did my BSN when it was just my wife and myself before my girls came along). Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

RNs who have their BSN are "preferred" by major hospitals, if not all hospitals, because the

hospitals want Magnet status. The way I understand it, magnet status = more money for hospitals.

Why? Because RNs with BSNs have more exposure to researching for better patient outcomes, preventive health measures, etc.

I would not compared it to a master's or doctorate level but I hope you get the point.

Says who? Academia world and top executives running the hospitals, I would think.

Think of it this way, ADN, BSN, MSN, PhD in nursing do not get paid at the same rate.

The more you know the more valuable you are to the executives and more money will roll in, to the ones at

the top of course.

I'm not implying that this is all a matter of more money for hospitals, but its part of it.

If an individual comes down with some serious, complicated, complex disease or a very delicate surgery is

needed, that person would pick a magnet status hospital over the one that is not, just my opinion.

Check out this link (sorry you'll have to copy and paste into new search box):

Magnet status: What it is, what it is not, and what it could be

I too am a LPN and am in the process of getting my RN

but I will continue for my BSN just because my dream

is to be a NICU nurse or even Nurse-Midwife. But even

if I didn't want to go that far, I'd still go for the BSN

because having people tell you that you need a BSN for a possibly

position is discouraging knowing you work hard for the ADN

and just want to be a good old fashion Nurse at it's simplicity.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Focusing on Epidemiology.

There is a big push in the Medical Center in Houston for BSN because of hospital certification. Admin is pushing 20 yr ADN to get their BSN and that's not going to happen. University of Indiana has a LPN to BSN online program u might look at. Make sure Ca. accepts that program. I wish you the best of Luck. Just take a minute and see where the Nursing Industry is go to be in 5-7 years. Don't base ur decision on today's requirements.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology.

I'm in upstate NY, and though my employer is a magnet hospital, they accept ADN nurses- I'm one of them.

That being said, I'm not sure why you couldn't get your ADN then start working as a registered nurse while you get your BSN. That way you are getting nursing experience and getting paid while you finish your degree, and if you want to get into an MSN program, you'll have at least two years worth of RN experience under your belt as soon as you are done with your BSN, which some programs require. That is what I am doing. I worked full time and homeschooled my child while I was going to nursing school full time, so it it doable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion