What's the point of getting a BSN?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hi, the only reason I'm asking is because by mid next year, I will have completed a BA in another subject. I have recently gained an interest in nursing but I didn't want to abandon my BA that I've already put so much time and effort into. I was looking into some ASN programs, primarily for the fact that they tend to be a little cheaper. I considered a BSN program, but now I wonder why I should bother? After researching, I see that I can go from an ASN(With a BA) to an MSN(If I wanted to...). So can someone tell me why/if I should go for the BSN instead of the ASN? Oh and not that the money is sole deciding factor for my decision, I'm still curious: Even though I would already have a BA, do you think I'd still make less than someone with a BSN? IMO I don't see much difference in someone having a BSN and someone like myself who would have an ASN+BA...

Specializes in Telemetry Med/Surg.
Look,, I am very aware that a class can't give you life skills. But I'm just trying to tell the OP that if she aspires for management roles in nursing, that is much more likely to happen if she at least has a BSN.

Of course having a BSN will automatically give you the management role. But a BSN will not give you those life skills that go along with with the management roll. You can't just say 'hey, I manage this floor' People are born leaders, that's not something you just obtain by having a degree. Don't get offended just telling the truth. It hurts I know. But you can't sugar coat stuff.

Specializes in medsurg.

Hi, I went the route of ADN it was easier and faster, I am a military spouse and I have moved since graduating in 1997 six times. I have tried to finish a BSN to no avail, it would have allowed me to get a couple of very nice jobs in the govenment sector. I am one class from completion but cannot find a preceptor I am overseas and most BSN nurses are either deployed or technicians are used to perform those jobs, the base only has a clinic and going off base isnot feasible because of language barrier, and the preceptor has to have BSN. So a BSN would have made my life so much easier and happier. Education is never a waste of money.

sheila

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Of course having a BSN will automatically give you the management role. But a BSN will not give you those life skills that go along with with the management roll. You can't just say 'hey, I manage this floor' People are born leaders, that's not something you just obtain by having a degree. Don't get offended just telling the truth. It hurts I know. But you can't sugar coat stuff.

I'm not offending by what your saying, but how you choose to say it. I'm a big proponent of people needing life skills before become a manager, NP, etc. However, I find your tone to be very condescending and demeaning.

Specializes in Telemetry Med/Surg.
Hi, I went the route of ADN it was easier and faster, I am a military spouse and I have moved since graduating in 1997 six times. I have tried to finish a BSN to no avail, it would have allowed me to get a couple of very nice jobs in the govenment sector. I am one class from completion but cannot find a preceptor I am overseas and most BSN nurses are either deployed or technicians are used to perform those jobs, the base only has a clinic and going off base isnot feasible because of language barrier, and the preceptor has to have BSN. So a BSN would have made my life so much easier and happier. Education is never a waste of money.

sheila

You are so right. Have you tried an online program through your state? When I was in the Marine Corps, this was the route I took. Finally decided PA program was best for me. Have you tried using a FNP as a preceptor?

Specializes in Telemetry Med/Surg.
I'm not offending by what your saying, but how you choose to say it. I'm a big proponent of people needing life skills before become a manager, NP, etc. However, I find your tone to be very condescending and demeaning.

Sorry that i come off that way. i am a Marine. Just straight up. I tend not to have any emotion when it comes to saying how I feel. I am a get straight to the point type of person. However, leadership is a subject that's very dear to me. Like I said that's something you can't be taught.

Specializes in Telemetry Med/Surg.
I'm not offending by what your saying, but how you choose to say it. I'm a big proponent of people needing life skills before become a manager, NP, etc. However, I find your tone to be very condescending and demeaning.

You're only 21 years old. You will one day see what I see when it comes to new faces entering the workforce with no experience telling you "hey, i manage this floor' or 'hey, we are going to war tomorrow'. You will one day say, "What the ^^^^ can you tell me?"

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Sorry that i come off that way. i am a Marine. Just straight up. I tend not to have any emotion when it comes to saying how I feel. I am a get straight to the point type of person. However, leadership is a subject that's very dear to me. Like I said that's something you can't be taught.

I agree that in order to lead someone sure better have some "in the trenches" experience (I would run at the thought of a new grad managing me). I think though that BSN programs do teach you management styles, theories, etc which are useful skills. In order to be a good nurse manager, you need both experience and the degree.

Specializes in Telemetry Med/Surg.
I agree that in order to lead someone sure better have some "in the trenches" experience (I would run at the thought of a new grad managing me). I think though that BSN programs do teach you management styles, theories, etc which are useful skills. In order to be a good nurse manager, you need both experience and the degree.

Not necessarily "the degree" because you can train all of you life to be a nurse (bsn or adn) but until you are actually thrown into the situation will you actually understand how it works. Think about it, were you traind in school for the order "replace peg with 16f foley?" or you only have 3 nurses scheduled to work a 30 bed floor which is FULL at capacity, everyone you calls says no they aren't coming in because 1, they dont wanna be there and 2, they don't have to be. did school teach you how to handle that?

Specializes in Telemetry Med/Surg.
Not necessarily "the degree" because you can train all of you life to be a nurse (bsn or adn) but until you are actually thrown into the situation will you actually understand how it works. Think about it, were you traind in school for the order "replace peg with 16f foley?" or you only have 3 nurses scheduled to work a 30 bed floor which is FULL at capacity, everyone you calls says no they aren't coming in because 1, they dont wanna be there and 2, they don't have to be. did school teach you how to handle that?

i dont care what school you go to. you wil not be taught a "theory" for that

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Not necessarily "the degree" because you can train all of you life to be a nurse (bsn or adn) but until you are actually thrown into the situation will you actually understand how it works. Think about it, were you traind in school for the order "replace peg with 16f foley?" or you only have 3 nurses scheduled to work a 30 bed floor which is FULL at capacity, everyone you calls says no they aren't coming in because 1, they dont wanna be there and 2, they don't have to be. did school teach you how to handle that?

You're completely missing my point. this isn't about clinical skills. You should already be cometent in clinical skills, and hopefully as a charge nurse, prior to moving on up to being a nurse manager.

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
i dont care what school you go to. you wil not be taught a "theory" for that

Lilmama007, are you a nurse? I looked at your profile and it says "nursing student?"

Specializes in Telemetry Med/Surg.
Lilmama007, are you a nurse? I looked at your profile and it says "nursing student?"

Oh god, i need to change that huh? that's from 2005 when I first joined as a nursing studen trying to figure out how to get in. But yeah, you can look me up in NCBON. Been nursing telemetry for a couple of years now.

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