What are the benefits of getting your BSN?

hotshot12345 · Jun 17, 2008

I know that public health tends to like BSN and above. Reason is b/c I think BSN programs usually have public health portions and ADN doesn't.

Jo Dirt · Jun 17, 2008

when i first graduated i thought to myself ----this is it!! i don't need to go back to school. i thought i would just stay in the hospital. but now after 5 years i am planning on going back for my MSN. although i graduated with a BSN, i notice that alot of the jobs that used to require just a BSN, now require a masters such as some public health positions. i can still do alot with the BSN, but i plan to slowly get my masters because i know in 20 years when i am in my 50's i more than likely will still be working and i just don't want to deal with the bedside. actually i don't want to deal with the hospital within the next 10 years unless its a hopital based m-f position that i will enjoy. i love patient care but i know i can't do it for the duration of my career. too many options out there.

I have a couple more semesters to get the BSN and I want to go to graduate school ASAP. I don't want to be limited to low wage service jobs. I see too many tired floor nurses in their 60's and even 70's hobbling up and down the halls (can't always count on retirement and social insecurity to keep you up.)

I'd love to be a NP and maybe even teach some at a community college.

Ideally, I would get a BSN and finish up my psychology degree and get a master's in that, too. Money is too big of an obstacle, though.

angel337, MSN, RN · Jun 18, 2008

I have a couple more semesters to get the BSN and I want to go to graduate school ASAP. I don't want to be limited to low wage service jobs. I see too many tired floor nurses in their 60's and even 70's hobbling up and down the halls (can't always count on retirement and social insecurity to keep you up.)
I'd love to be a NP and maybe even teach some at a community college.
Ideally, I would get a BSN and finish up my psychology degree and get a master's in that, too. Money is too big of an obstacle, though.

i hear ya. money and time is always the issue. and i agree that i just don't want to be like some of these nurses i work with. i admire their stamina but i don't want to get "stuck" in a job that tears me down physically like the bedside does. even though my job is staffed well and we have plenty of ancillary help, i still come home sore all over everyday with my feet throbbing (expensive shoes and all). i think i will always do patient care to some extent, i just don't want to do it full time.

flower75 · Jun 18, 2008

As others have mentioned, the BSN does open more doors. But be careful of the reputation of the schools in your area. There is a community college near me where I went to get my ADN. I just passed the NCLEX and start to work in a week after a vacation. While applying for jobs, when I was being interviewed the interviewer would see that I had gone to the local university a few years ago and ask if that is where I graduated from. I would tell them I went there for awhile for a biology degree but went to nursing school at the community college. They would go on to say that they were happy I went there and they preferred the ADN nurses over those that got their BSN from the local university. One hospital lost 5 BSN nurses at once because they all failed the NCLEX in the same week. Most of the nurses I spoke with said they preferred the ADN nurses to work with on the floor too. So just be careful and do lots of research about the schools you are looking at going to.

wolfbuddy · Jul 17, 2008

All the positions I have investigated that require a BSN in my area (east TN) pay considerably less than what I currently earn. If I go back I can potentially get most of the expenses paid by the corporation I work for in exchange for a time commitment/contract; 16 months of education for 2 years work (I think that is the rate now). Maybe I am stupid but I am having trouble deciding what to do. It's crazy!!