What can I do with my BSN that Assoc. RN's can't?

CSLee3, ASN, BSN, LVN, EMT-P · Jul 13, 2004

An RN is an RN. Sorry, that is a fact. States boards and NCLEX doesn't care your educational background for licensure (excluding advance practice RNs) for a reason. If you want a broader ladder to climb, go for the BSN. IF you have no desire to manage stick with ADN, it is all subjective and personal. I personally would rather have a well experience med surg LPN or Diploma RN taking care of my sick butt in a hospital. How many of us have been trained or oriented by LPN, LVN, ADN, Diploma nurses. In my opinion, it is sad to see such demise of diploma programs in the country. Just my thoughts. Entry BSN would be great if all of us had: time, money, university in area, no wait list....on and on. Congrats to all who has done BSN , MSN.

luvbug9956 · Jul 13, 2004

I graduated with my BSN. I did this because I thought I may want to teach eventually, and I also wanted the go-away-to-college thing, live in the dorms and what-not. You really cannot tell in clinical practice who has the ADN and who has the BSN! Both are adequately educated and skilled. The only thing I have noticed...I graduated from a state that has many nursing schools in a very small area. There are four 4-year colleges and many 2-year schools in a very small area. There are not enough positions for new-grads in this area to accomodate everyone and what they want. Therefore, we found that the BSN-prepared nurses had an easier time finding jobs due to the stiff competition. But I dont know if this is universally true...has anyone in other areas noticed this?

suzy253, RN · Jul 13, 2004

I'm one of the lucky ones to be in the few of the diploma programs left. This is a great way to go.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Jul 13, 2004

In my opinion, the development of the ADN degree has been one of the worst things that another nurse could do to our profession. Many other healthcare "professionals" (PTs, OTs, Social workers, dietitians, etc.) have at least a BS or even Masters degree. (In fact, most professional occupations require 4 years of education.) Yet nurses, who must actually know more about the patient, can have less education. Is something wrong with this picture?
I hear a lot of comments about how diploma and ADN graduates have more clinical (that translates to less "knowledge") than BSN graduates and can "hit the ground running." That's not the issue so drop that argument. No new graduate can function well. I know of no profession where new grads are expected to "hit the ground running." The question is "where are they down the road."
In most professions more education translates to more money over a lifetime. Whether that does or does not do so for nursing is an internal problem of our profession.
I'm not talking about any positive personality traits of any one individual, ie., one ADN nurse being far superior to another BSN nurse. I'm talking across the board. Any course a person takes in college increases your "knowledge" level, even if it is a liberal arts course. The person with the most knowledge wins. "Knowledge is power." Critical thinking skills are lacking in many nurses and is greatly improved by more education (knowledge).
Some other benefits of education include:
1. better health (for your children also)
2. reduced crime
3. wider knowledge gap
4. more open-minded (oh,no, this seems to be a problem in nursing)
5. less moralistic
6. more rational thinking
7. more cultured
8. more integrated
9. more consistent
10. less authoritarian
11. less materialistic
12. less prejudice
13. greater knowledge of world affairs
14. greater social status
15. more social activism
I'm sure there are more and if I had more education I could think of them!

Very well said from an educated person. I agree with everything you said!:)

suzy253, RN · Jul 14, 2004

I hear a lot of comments about how diploma and ADN graduates have more clinical (that translates to less "knowledge") Some other benefits of education include:
1. better health (for your children also)
2. reduced crime
3. wider knowledge gap
4. more open-minded (oh,no, this seems to be a problem in nursing)
5. less moralistic
6. more rational thinking
7. more cultured
8. more integrated
9. more consistent
10. less authoritarian
11. less materialistic
12. less prejudice
13. greater knowledge of world affairs
14. greater social status
15. more social activism

OK I'll bite. how does diploma educated nurses 'translate to less knowledge'

and your list of 1-15? you're joking....aren't you? :uhoh3:

leslie :-D · Jul 14, 2004

i questioned that one already suzy.....out there huh??? i never did receive an answer...no surprise there.

suzy253, RN · Jul 14, 2004

i questioned that one already suzy.....out there huh??? i never did receive an answer...no surprise there.

:rotfl: somewhere out here...I think! Been off the boards most of the day and now just relaxing and getting some posts in here.

Maybe I should add some lengthy explanation after my name, like, 2nd year student nurse, diploma educated and proud of it with more clinical hours than BSN's. :rotfl:

zenman · Jul 14, 2004

Posted by CSLee3: An RN is an RN. Sorry, that is a fact.

Yes, by vertue of licensure. And a glaring example of why nursing is where it's at today.

I personally would rather have a well experience med surg LPN or Diploma RN taking care of my sick butt in a hospital. How many of us have been trained or oriented by LPN, LVN, ADN, Diploma nurses.

I also want the "best" person taking care of me. That person is one who has "skills" and "knowledge."

zenman · Jul 14, 2004

Posted by suzy253: OK I'll bite. how does diploma educated nurses 'translate to less knowledge' and your list of 1-15? you're joking....aren't you?

That list was the results of studies. It's almost sad that I have to explain. Yes, diploma nurses can come out of school and "hit the ground running." That is a "trade" mentality and in many trades "clinical" goes on for 10 years before you are turned loose to function on your own. When ADN and diploma nurses brag about having more clinical, I'm going "oh, no, less knowledge base." It would be better for our profession if there was one professional level equal to other professions. Nurses are infighting all the time and the public remains confused about what a nurse is.

leslie :-D · Jul 14, 2004

zenman,

i don't know what you're referring to in terms of the public's confusion, but any ambiguities re: the nursing profession i am sure, evolves from the internal discontent of nursing itself.....the current conditions, the horizontal violence....everyone's running around like a headless chicken. i disagree that the bsn (or lack thereof) has little to do with it.

zenman · Jul 14, 2004

Posted by earle58: i questioned that one already suzy.....out there huh??? i never did receive an answer...no surprise there.

You are aware that I don't back down from any question. It's just sad that some can't realize the answers. If you restate your particular question and give me your educational level, I'll try to explain it to you. I'm not trying to offend you, but one reason you ask patients their educational level is so you know how to respond to their level when providing patient teaching, for example.

zenman · Jul 14, 2004

Posted by suzy253: Maybe I should add some lengthy explanation after my name, like, 2nd year student nurse, diploma educated and proud of it with more clinical hours than BSN's.

Oh, no...less knowledge base but more OJT! If I were to go back into the Army, I would want a commanding officer who not only was skilled (which comes from experience) but who also had "knowledge" gained from more education...and who knew the history and strategy of every battle ever fought!