Who's going on to a BSN? or MSN?

CarVsTree · Jul 5, 2006

I graduated in Dec. and I am starting my RN-BSN program this fall.

I plan on pursuing my MSN as well. Not sure what I will pursue though.

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Jul 5, 2006

Im curious, since NONE of the RN to BSN programs are impacted here (in CA) and ALL of the regular generic BSN programs are extremely so, how many of you graduating from an ADN program are planning to go right into an RN to BSN program after you graduate or are you just sick of school by now??
I just would assume everyone would continue on with their education if they could so Im curious why what seems to be a vast majority of ADN graduates do not?
NOT that you need to, but why not? just curious. Nice to know we all have those options though!!

Why would you assume that most nurses would continue their formal academic nursing education if they could? Seriously, I'm asking you to challenge your assumptions.

Why would I go on to get a BSN when it doesn't affect my job or salary by not having one?

I DID keep going on with school after I got my RN. And, I have a Biology Degree from Texas A&M University and my 'aggie ring' to prove it.

But, I wasn't the least bit interested in continuing an academic study of nursing. I found nursing instructors to be self-sanctimonious and capricious. (Forgive the generalizaton. That obviously doesn't appy to all instructors, but it DOES apply to enough at any institution to taint the institution.) Upwards of 30% of what I learned was to get through the test. I was self-aware enough to recognize some of the required lip service and not actually incorporate that brain washing into the actual education I received.

In my opinion, that gave me a huge advantage over my peers out of school.

So, why would I purposely choose to PAY thousands of dollars for a re-indoctrination course? There's two parts to that. Why would I spend the money? Why would I subject myself to that abuse again? I'm just asking.

I've said this before and it bears repeating. Instead of harping on minimum BSN entry (no, I'm not starting that debate), if the focus were spent on a differentiation of pay, that would make a difference.

If I could get 5 bucks more an hour to be a BSN, my bach degree WOULD BE a BSN. But, it's not the case, on both counts.

I MAY go back to get my BSN someday. But I have no desire for a BSN. IF I DO, it will be as the stepping stone to MSN.

~faith,

Timothy.

sunnyjohn · Jul 5, 2006

Tim,

Yep, it's wrong to assume. Still, the OP may not realise that some ADN/diploma/LPN nurses choose to pursue Bachelor's degrees in fields other than nursing. Heck, my next grad degree wil be in infect. dis.

His/her username is FNPhopeful. To me that indicates a career plan, ADN-BSN-MSN/FNP.

Show that Texas charm and cut the OP some slack! :lol2:

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Jul 5, 2006

Tim,
Yep, it's wrong to assume. Still, the OP may not realise that some ADN/diploma/LPN nurses choose to pursue Bachelor's degrees in fields other than nursing. Heck, my next grad degree wil be in infect. dis.
His/her username is FNPhopeful. To me that indicates a career plan, ADN-BSN-MSN/FNP.
Show that Texas charm and cut the OP some slack!

I wasn't trying to give her grief. LOL.

I understand that people get caught up in their own lives and tend to view the whole through the lens of their particulars. I'm certainly guilty of THAT.

I was just nudging the focus on the lens. No grief intended.

~faith,

Timothy.

rninme · Jul 5, 2006

I'm a diploma RN...not an ADN. I am currently enrolled in an online RN to BSN program. Tim is right....there is no pay difference for a BSN vs ADN vs Diploma...but I am not doing it for the money!! And yes, my BSN will just be a stepping stone toward my final goal...MSN. IMHO...advanced education is never wrong....expensive YES, wrong..no!

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Jul 5, 2006

I'm a diploma RN...not an ADN. I am currently enrolled in an online RN to BSN program. Tim is right....there is no pay difference for a BSN vs ADN vs Diploma...but I am not doing it for the money!! And yes, my BSN will just be a stepping stone toward my final goal...MSN. IMHO...advanced education is never wrong....expensive YES, wrong..no!

I agree, education is never wrong.

But there are other ways to learn besides a formal course of study.

I know so much more about nursing now than I did 13 yrs ago. Or 10, Or 5, Or 1 yrs ago for that matter.

I attend my Professional Organization's annual conference. I'm CCRN certified, which requires 34 CEUs/yr to maintain. I study interesting/unusual things in detail when I have pts with those conditions.

I'm a learning growing nurse. Yes, education is NEVER wrong.

But, that doesn't require 'formal' education to make it true.

~faith,

Timothy.

RANCH GIRL · Jul 5, 2006

I definitely plan on pursuing RN to MSN (I already have a BS in health care administration), but I just started the ADN-RN program so I have at least a year before deciding what career path to take. In the meantime, I've just been reading the posts here and trying to get as much information as I can.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2006

I just would assume everyone would continue on with their education if they could so Im curious why what seems to be a vast majority of ADN graduates do not?

It is a quite well known fact that the field of nursing does not adequately reward higher education. In the hospital setting, the bedside ADNs and BSNs usually earn about the same hourly rate with no significant difference in salary for higher education. The typical bedside BSN nurse earns $0.00 to $1.00 more per hour than his/her bedside ADN nurse counterpart in the hospitals, with the average difference in pay being $0.25 hourly.

If an ADN enjoys bedside nursing and has no aspirations of moving up to management, then there's no true incentive to return to school for the BSN or MSN if the only monetary reward is an extra $0.25 raise per hour.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2006

Still, the OP may not realise that some ADN/diploma/LPN nurses choose to pursue Bachelor's degrees in fields other than nursing. Heck, my next grad degree wil be in infect. dis.

One of my instructors was an LVN with a master's degree in education.

My close friend is an LPN/LVN with a bachelor's degree in public health.

Not all nurses choose to pursue higher education in nursing. Rather, many nurses go on to pursue degrees in other non-nursing majors.

FNPhopeful · Jul 5, 2006

Ok- I see. I guess there's no point pay or otherwise to get a BSN if you dont plan on going to an MSN or CRNA or FNP.

I guess my original question was kinda dumb, I am just looking at it from my point of view I guess because I want to be an FNP.

But I think even if I wasnt going to get a master's degree I would still get the BSN because its really important to me to graduate from a university and have that 4 year degree (be it nursing or otherwise).

Thanks for the input though!

RN and Mommy · Jul 5, 2006

Im curious, since NONE of the RN to BSN programs are impacted here (in CA) and ALL of the regular generic BSN programs are extremely so, how many of you graduating from an ADN program are planning to go right into an RN to BSN program after you graduate or are you just sick of school by now??
I just would assume everyone would continue on with their education if they could so Im curious why what seems to be a vast majority of ADN graduates do not?
NOT that you need to, but why not? just curious. Nice to know we all have those options though!!

I begin my BSN program in the fall. It's two semesters one day per week. I can handle that! I eventually plan on going back for my MSN, but I plan to take a couple years off first. I am sooo sick of school, but if I don't go back now I am afraid I won't! The pay is no different for a ASN or a BSN in my area, but I want to continue for what I eventually want to become!