What do you get from BSN?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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For those of you with BSN's, what is it you get from your BSN that you do not get from an ADN, that is better for your individual patients?

I have my ADN, intend to get my BSN (and always did intend to, but needed to start earning money sooner than that). I understand how the extra education is useful for department/unit management skills and such. But many say that BSN is important to nursing for the patients' sakes, and I am trying to discover why. Please be more specific than "critical thinking skills" and the like.

Thanks!

DC, ED NOC RN ADN

Abbreviations R Us :)

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".

Well, the NYSNA has to say something to justify trying to require BSNs ... :rolleyes: Seriously, though, I hope you're not suggesting that critical thinking skills are unique to BSN programs. I graduated over 25 years ago from a traditional hospital-based diploma program (granted, an excellent program), and graduates of my school came out with better critical thinking skills (before the term "critical thinking" had even been invented) than students in either the ADN or BSN programs in which I've taught over the years. In my own experience, I have been more impressed with ADN students -- in the last BSN program in which I taught (a decent state uni program), I had the students in their last term before graduation and many of them, to my surprise, not only knew surprisingly little basic, ordinary nursing knowledge and skills but couldn't "critically think" their way out of a paper bag.

let's look at it from another angle. what is the difference between a typical BSN student and a typical ADN student, and how does this predispose them to turn out?

the typical BSN student is straight out of high school, a middle to high acheiver, has parental suppport, begins school, may live at home or away from home, and may have a part time job, or not. they take out large loans after squeezing mom and dad for as much as they can, mom does their laundry, and dad makes sure they have a car. throughout the experience typical BSN students are highly empowered by their family resources.

they also do tend to be taller, and better looking, as this kind of genetic is found in economically successful families that can afford to coddle children thru college. as for the sexiness quotient mentioned by an earlier poster, well, i have always found pasty, vacuous, and entitled blondes unattractive, preferring sultry, ill tempered mediterranean and asian types. but that's just my personal preference.

This has certainly not been my experience in teaching nursing. Even in traditional pre-licensure BSN programs, the type of student you describe is much more likely to be a minority these days, at least in the public schools with which I've had experience; certainly not "typical."

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This has certainly not been my experience in teaching nursing. Even in traditional pre-licensure BSN programs, the type of student you describe is much more likely to be a minority these days, at least in the public schools with which I've had experience; certainly not "typical."

well, i guess my experience is out of date, then. more credit to your more recent experience.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Well, the NYSNA has to say something to justify trying to require BSNs ... :rolleyes: Seriously, though, I hope you're not suggesting that critical thinking skills are unique to BSN programs. I graduated over 25 years ago from a traditional hospital-based diploma program (granted, an excellent program), and graduates of my school came out with better critical thinking skills (before the term "critical thinking" had even been invented) than students in either the ADN or BSN programs in which I've taught over the years. In my own experience, I have been more impressed with ADN students -- in the last BSN program in which I taught (a decent state uni program), I had the students in their last term before graduation and many of them, to my surprise, not only knew surprisingly little basic, ordinary nursing knowledge and skills but couldn't "critically think" their way out of a paper bag.

This has certainly not been my experience in teaching nursing. Even in traditional pre-licensure BSN programs, the type of student you describe is much more likely to be a minority these days, at least in the public schools with which I've had experience; certainly not "typical."

I just wanted to re-quote this so I could admire it some more. :)

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Well, the NYSNA has to say something to justify trying to require BSNs ... :rolleyes: Seriously, though, I hope you're not suggesting that critical thinking skills are unique to BSN programs. I graduated over 25 years ago from a traditional hospital-based diploma program (granted, an excellent program), and graduates of my school came out with better critical thinking skills (before the term "critical thinking" had even been invented) than students in either the ADN or BSN programs in which I've taught over the years. In my own experience, I have been more impressed with ADN students -- in the last BSN program in which I taught (a decent state uni program), I had the students in their last term before graduation and many of them, to my surprise, not only knew surprisingly little basic, ordinary nursing knowledge and skills but couldn't "critically think" their way out of a paper bag.

This has certainly not been my experience in teaching nursing. Even in traditional pre-licensure BSN programs, the type of student you describe is much more likely to be a minority these days, at least in the public schools with which I've had experience; certainly not "typical."

I just wanted to re-quote this so I could admire it some more. :)

Me too! :yeah:

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I just wanted to re-quote this so I could admire it some more. :)

Me too! :yeah:

Aw, shucks -- you'll make me blush ... :lol2:

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Being a "second career" ADN, I came to nursing with my previous "life experiences" and critical thinking skills. From what I have read in many posts, I was fortunate to have an ADN program that very much focused on evidence-based nursing. In my state (Michigan) the difference between ADN and BSN programs (nursing or otherwise) is a bachelor's is the academic portion of the program.

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