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 Critical Care, Nsg QA.
We all say "I'll be a floor nurse forever because I love patients. I could never be away from the patients. I don't want to be a manager....I'm already on my 2nd career, I just want to take care of patients until I retire.".....Then 15 or 20 years go by, the back hurts, the knees age, we're 50 plus years old, and our perspectives and priorities change. I always advice people to get the BSN out of the way, you might just find you need it one day.

I obtained a bachelor's in business before I realized I should have gone into nursing. I applied to both an ADN program and BSN (was accepted into both). I opted for the BSN route, as it would take me the same amount of time (the BSN is a 2+2 program). Having the BSN has allowed more opportunities for me (and it didn't hurt to have the business degree). BSN seems to have a broader view on issues, as they have been exposed to a wider variety of general education subjects. That is a very sweeping statement, and only a reflection of my point of view.

Bottom line, if you can get the BSN, do it. It won't hurt to have more education. When I graduated over 20 years ago I thought my schooling was over. Currently I am in a Master's program in nursing. I would never have dreamed it 20+ years ago. Because I did have the BSN, I was able to jump right into the program! I might not have gone back otherwise.

Specializes in ER Trauma.

I am actually getting my ADN, but I have plans for advancing my degree to the masters level. So the BSN sounds pretty nice. I would actually feel a little more fulfilled by getting a bachelors degree since I don't have one already.

My concern would be MSN RN with no clinical experience.....typically MSN are looked upon as leadership role material...well with no experience would you want to be put in that situation? I think there could be potential conflict with staff there.....I knew some students who were claiming they are going straigh for MGR position after MSN....and how effective will they be in this role (if they get it in the first place) without any practical understanding? Just another MGR who's clueless about the nature of what nursing is....tooo many hospitals are run that way today!

Personally I woud pursue MSN after few years of practice behind my belt......Best of luck!

Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

Finish your BA, there are more and more bridge programs out there for people just like you who have a degree in another field then nursing, who now want to get into nursing. Some schools have a bridge program that if you are accepted can do from BA (your current degree) to MSN (Masters in Nursing and get your RN) in 3 yrs. There are other programs out there that will take your BA and help you get a BSN. More and more hospitals are hiring only BSN nurses. There are people on this board that will argue this point until thier face is red. I know at our hospital we want Magnet Status, and to do that, you have to have a ratio of BSN nurses vs ADN/dipolma nurses vs LPNs. There is a big push at our hospital to get the ADN nurses to finish thier BSNs, the hospital is willing to pay 100% of the schooling (then a 3 yr committed) so the ADN RN gets thier BSN.

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...
No one can be PREPARED for leadership. Either you have it or you don't. Not all BSN's can lead. Sorry , it just doesn't work that way. i'm speaking from experience as a US Marine Corps veteran. Saw War 3 times and lead so well that not one of my Marines died. (Also I am female)

And this statement bothers me.

Speaking as a military veteran and the child and sister of three others (with a father who flew Medevac in Korea and Vietnam) your ability to lead had nothing to do with not losing any Marines. There are thousands of brilliant military leaders who lost men AND women - my decorated father being one of them - as were Eisenhower, Schwartzkopf, Powell, Arnold, Puller, Patton, Washington, Grant, Lee, Nelson, Wellington, Wayne, Greene...and guess what? They were still exemplary leaders.

For what it's worth, and because I feel possessed to play grammar cop, the past tense, 'led', is appropriate. (And yes, I realize how pedantic and b*tchy that makes me.) But to imply that someone lost no troops because they were fantastic leaders borders on arrogance and could simply be downright erroneous: what if one lost no troops because they DIDN'T do what was supposed to be done and simply hindered the execution of the mission at hand? Eisenhower lost THOUSANDS of men during WWII, but who could possibly argue his skill in leadership?

Flame me at will, I can take it.

Now back to our regularly scheduled thread.

Specializes in Medical ICU.

When I graduated from the BSN program 2 hospitals I applied for in the midwest paid $2 more if you had a BSN. One hospital only hired BSN's. Overall, nurses that have a bachelors degree should be better prepared to care for any type of patient in any setting. However, I have met some nurses that have a bachelor's degree and wonder how they graduated.

No one can be PREPARED for leadership. Either you have it or you don't. Not all BSN's can lead. Sorry , it just doesn't work that way. i'm speaking from experience as a US Marine Corps veteran. Saw War 3 times and lead so well that not one of my Marines died. (Also I am female)

could you be more arrogant and full of yourself? that was a flat out horrible thing to say and quite frankly an insult to all us officers/leaders that have lost troops. you're making a compliment on yourself at the expense of all the troops that have lost their lives. please do not make another statement like that again. you should be quite ashamed of yourself for that.

yes, one can be prepared to lead others.

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