When attending a traditional BSN program, are students told they're better than ADNs?

Tina, RN · Feb 26, 2014

I love this post! And must ask...does any of it really matter when you are wiping somebodies...a@#....???

Nope. But like it or not, if you want to be promoted to a higher level job, that doesn't include wiping butts, you'll often need that BSN.

Tina, RN · Feb 26, 2014

A BSN is B.S. Nursing! I was in the field with two years' experience while they were writing research papers on how to do APA format. That does NOT make for better nursing, kids. There should be a clinical pathway for those of us who want to work, and n ivory tower pathway for those who want to promote more schooling. Who says more education equals better nursing? The schools...hellooooo! ADNs of the world be proud..we have an RN that is identical to any RN and don't forget that. Can we help it if we were savvy enough to skip the statistics and research crap? This is all for the sake of schools getting more money and hospitals trying to get magnet status. Trust me, no one really gives a rat's behind about us, any of us. It's all about the dollar.

Wow, what an angry and insulting post. This person has a total of 3 posts here at AN. Two out of 3 involve tearing BSN nurses apart. And the third is just a rude, sarcastic comment. Very sad.

Nola009 · Feb 26, 2014

I don't comment on these ADN vs BSN threads, and usually don't even read them. They are always filled with such negativity. Based upon this title, it sounded like a more interesting discussion. But, it has morphed into the same old thing.
That being said, I do have a BSN. I remember in school being told that ADN nurses were "technical nurses" and BSN nurses were "professional nurses". Whatever. You can't go wrong with more education in this day and age. I'd go on to my MSN, if I was able. I don't think an MSN nurse is "better" than me, but that person is without a doubt more educated. I admire that, because I value higher education.
Things will probably never change with regard to the ADN vs BSN. It's a shame. Nurses simply can't respect eachother, everything has to be a battle. Don't get me wrong, I have worked with amazing LPN, ADN, and BSN. But it's ridiculous when you read a thread and practically feel guilty for having a BSN. LOL[/Q
There's no reason to feel guilty, just don't be smug or rude.

Nola009 · Feb 26, 2014

I think what makes things more complicated today is that there are many second career ADN nurses. I have a BS and a Masters, but I am an ADN-trained nurse. I have more education that some BSN students, just not in nursing. I see BSN nurses who just concentrate on the tasks assigned to them for the shift and then I see ADN nurses critically thinking to find out why X pt in getting Y treatment for Z condition. I am in the middle of an RN-BSN program and one of the first papers this term is discussing the difference between a baccalaureate prepared nurse... I have a baccalaureate degree. My hospital looks at other education, not just the nursing preparation. Very few ADN nurses have strictly a 2 year degree, most have had 2 years of pre-reqs. (Which I don't understand why they did not attend a 4 year program). I work with a mix of nurses, some were trained in other countries. Everyone wants be the best they can be and everyone brings something to the table. I think it really has/should be a moot point.

You might be on to something. Nursing isn't my original career path and I shared that in common with many of may fellow ADN classmates. I am not bashing BSN-RNs in any way. I was just trying to UNDERSTAND what might be going on with regards to the gals I work alongside.

Literally: "Hi, My name is suchandsuch and I have a BSN. How about you?"

Also, I was asked during my interview when showed plain as day in black and white that I have a ADN, lol

This is a LTC/Skilled facility I work at where we care for 25 pts each shift.

My suspicion is that they have been told ADN RNs are more "task oriented" (mind you I took the same NCLEX)

And as you mentioned, we were told the same thing about LPNs. LPNs are surely told the same thing about CNAs. The whole thing is divisive kinda demoralizing.

I was an older student who among other issues, didn't get that great HS guidance and parent guidance regarding secondary education.

I graduated at the top of my class, passed the NCLEX @ the blessed 75th Q and yeah, now that I know where I want to work and what I have to do in order to get there, will be going back for my BSN asap.

wooh, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2014

I love how these threads turn into bashing the BSNs. Because it's bad for BSNs to think they're "better than" ADNs. But it's perfectly ok for ADNs to think they're "better than" BSNs with their supposedly superior skills and such.

Nola009 · Feb 26, 2014

I love how these threads turn into bashing the BSNs. Because it's bad for BSNs to think they're "better than" ADNs. But it's perfectly ok for ADNs to think they're "better than" BSNs with their supposedly superior skills and such.

Read. Actually read through the material here. No one is "bashing" anybody. If you can't decipher the actual point of the tread the first time, start at my question, and re-read the entire thread. Obviously you missed something and jumped to a conclusion without having any evidence of your claim here.

BTW: Do you really believe that 'ethics are annoying'??!

kemo1121 · Feb 26, 2014

Too many women on this board, too many women at work. I didn't ask for this... Actually I did but seriously the pointless banter on these forums are getting old.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Feb 26, 2014

I disagree. The OP thought it was actually a possibility that students in a generic BSN program actually might be "trained" to disparage ADN's. There been plenty of education bashing in the previous posts. And there's been some atrocious spelling and grammar - so I doubt that ANYONE in nursing is overeducated.

wooh, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2014

Read. Actually read through the material here. No one is "bashing" anybody. If you can't decipher the actual point of the tread the first time, start at my question, and re-read the entire thread. Obviously you missed something and jumped to a conclusion without having any evidence of your claim here.
BTW: Do you really believe that 'ethics are annoying'??!

Read. Actually read the 100 other threads on this very same topic. Obviously you missed them before you jumped to rehashing the same old tired topic.

As for the btw: Do you really believe that I'm a cartoon cat?

Nola009 · Feb 27, 2014

Read. Actually read the 100 other threads on this very same topic. Obviously you missed them before you jumped to rehashing the same old tired topic.
As for the btw: Do you really believe that I'm a cartoon cat?

You seem very dismissive. LOL, if you like an ethics-bashing quote the extent that youd post it as your 'signature' then, yeah. All signs point to you being flip.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2014

I know of two programs that do have that mentality and it is about two or three instructors who push that mentality onto students. The other BSN program? No issues. Honestly though, going to a crappy BSN program will not make them a better nurse than someone who goes to a rigid and excellent ADN program so people should look at programs instead of just the letters they put after their name.

My name badge says RN. They do not include BSN or MSN on our name tags since we all do the same job.

MissyNik · Mar 1, 2014

Just because someone has a degree doesn't make them more educated than anyone else who doesn't..............I mean you can put some "degree carrying" people in the real world and they would not survive for one day. That person who can survive for a lifetime......? Now that's educated...........priceless! Have a wonderful life in the field of nursing!

There always has to be some nursing instructor or nurse on the floor who feels the need to cover for their own inadequacy! :yawn: :nurse:

Ok so you wrote paper after paper after paper for a higher degree........was it your own original idea?