What do you get from BSN?

nursynurseRN · Dec 30, 2010

They have done studies and I have read that BSN nurses have better patient outcomes more than ADN nurses. At my facility BSN nurses make 5% more then ADn nurses. I have also noticed when I work their really is a difference in a way that a BSN nurse works versus a ADN nurse. What I have noticed myslef is that BSN nurses really do look more into the future outcome of the patient versus the ADN nurse. I have seen a BSNs nurses seem to take account so many other things outside of what was taught in ADN school. I am not saying the an ADN nurse is not capable of going the extra mile, but it seems like most of them don't and I see many more BSN nurses going that extra mile. I don't know it is just what I have seen. I do see ADN nurses going that extra mile too but it just seems like BSN nurses do it more often then not. ?? is it becasue they have an advanced degree? I don't know? maybe they know the legal consequences more then the ADN nurse so they make that extra effort? I don't rememebr learning very many legal things in my ADN program but a LOT of legal stuff in the BSN program.. this could be one of the reason.. but honestly I don't really know?

For me personally I loved being a nurse and just learning more and more about it gives me satisfaction. Even though a floor nurse is a floor nurse. I work with MSN, BSN and ADN floor nurses and we all do the exact same thing and are responsible for the same things. Techinicaly there is NO difference.

rn4ever? · Dec 30, 2010

You get to keep your job! Some work places require that nurses who have ADN get a BSN.

mtdnk · Dec 30, 2010

A BSN focuses on key areas of nursing theory and the use of evidenced-based data in nursing practice. The BSN student is exposed to more practice areas not as available to ADN students(typically community based), and the curriculum exposes the student to leadership skills that support positions that require supervision of others.

Though you may not like the response regarding critical thinking skills, there's no way around this essential skill learned in BSN programs. Critical thinking clarifies goals, examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, accomplishes actions, and assesses conclusions. With critical thinking skills, you are able to determine patterns, make connections and solve new problems. A basis in liberal arts and sciences (BSN) does strengthen the analytical and critical-thinking skills required in safe and competent patient care. This is not to say that ADN or diploma nurses don't provide safe and competent care, but the increasing complexity of technology, medication, treatments and chronic health problems across the life span necessitates continuation of education. The skills that are further developed in BSN programs better prepare RN's to seek process improvements that address challenges in todays healthcare system.

These points are identified by NYSNA in the quest for "BSN in 10".

justashooter · Dec 30, 2010

BSN nurses have spent more time in indoctrination, so their thinking is more programed toward the current teaching in regard to interpersonal relations and political correctness. they are therefore less blunt when dealing with people. sometimes, in todays workplace, what is not said is more important than what is said.

BSN do get more curricula in terms of nursing research, family and community health, and assesment. they also have more relevant/irrelevant elective credits, and systems analysis education. in short, a BSN is a more acculturated person, unless they are already an old fart when they go thru the process and know how to exist within the system without becoming a part of the system.

that being said, there are lots of ADN out there with 90 or more credits under their belts, and many who are career changers that have understanding well beyond what a BSN has in terms of how the rest of the world works, and what is important to patients who have to survive in it.

ocean waves · Dec 30, 2010

Hello. It is good that you are exploring the advantages of earning a BSN before you decide which way to go about further nursing education. One practical approach is to learn the educational requirements for specific nursing jobs which may be of interest to you. For example, if your desire is to work as a nurse manager or a nursing instructor, the educational requirements usually include advanced college degrees in nursing. With regard to your question of "is BSN preparation better for your individual patients", there are many interesting debates about this issue---the majority of working RN's in this country have graduated from associate degree programs or diploma programs and do fantastic patient care! Best wishes!

country mom · Dec 30, 2010

I told my husband recently that I hoped our children would attend college because then they'll find out how much they don't know. I took classes in art, music, sociology, psychology, math, english, theology, phys ed, etc., and I learned alot more about the world and even more, I realized how much I don't know. It's that humbleness that I think has served me best in my nursing career- I realize I don't know everything, so I keep trying to learn more, ask questions, and stay curious.

I think at it's core, one should pursue higher education out of a love of learning and a desire to learn more. You can buy "stuff"- and the next day a flood washes it away, or it burns up in a fire, or a thief steals it. But when you acquire knowledge- it's yours, it becomes part of you and noone can take it away from you. So I say, if you want your BSN, good for you. Yes, you'll take classes like art, or english or psychology and your friends will scoff and tell you what a waste of time and money it is. But in the end, you're unlocking the mysteries and going into new places that you didn't know were there before. To me, that leads to a full life.

KFoss · Dec 30, 2010

that being said, there are lots of adn out there with 90 or more credits under their belts, and many who are career changers that have understanding well beyond what a bsn has in terms of how the rest of the world works, and what is important to patients who have to survive in it.

when reading the initial post, the quoted post info ran through my head...what is the difference between adn as a first degree versus someone who has a ba or an ma in another healthcare ish field versus those with a bsn.

the reason that i ask that question is because i do have an ma in psychology with a concentration in mental health counseling and i am applying to both bsn and adn programs and if i get in to them, will have to decide the route to take.

hope that makes sense...

ps - original poster - i am in the tacoma area as well. you went to tcc correct? and enjoyed it? you thinking of uw-t for the bsn completion?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2010

With 16 years of bedside experience, I really didn't gain a whole lot from getting my BSN that would help me at the bedside. It definiately helped me in that it refreshed a lot of things as I took Physical Assessment and Pathophysiology. I learned new things about research, community health, etc.

I was definiately not a waste of time.

It helped me get a job making more money away from the bedside, but ultimately I wasn't ready for that and am back at the bedside, but have the BSN on my resume for when I really am ready to leave the bedside for good.

I always recommend when someone is choosing BSN vs. ADN to go ahead with the BSN.

sunnycalifRN · Dec 30, 2010

They have done studies and I have read that BSN nurses have better patient outcomes more than ADN nurses. At my facility BSN nurses make 5% more then ADn nurses. *clip*

Not only have studies demonstrated better patient outcomes for the patient cared for by the BSN, but there is greater patient satisfaction. I know for a fact that the BSN's on our floor are more intelligent, taller, better groomed, multi-lingual, better dressed, better in bed and just generally more wonderful!!! :jester: :uhoh3:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2010

There were a lot of flaws in those studies and the hospitals they did them in.

In my experience, since we have a large BSN school and an ADN school here, both schools produce equal and bedside-ready RNs that pass the same NCLEX.

Romeo5 · Dec 30, 2010

I was a CNA then become a LPN then RN then last BSN. From lpn to RN was a breeze.RN to BSN is a killer!! Very hard to me. I saw it as a different world. It's very little difference between lpn and RN for as knowledge..I will say the lpn's here in MS are much more prepaired after school.remember. The A in ADN stands for "associate". Which means "introduction" to nursing