WHY does a B.S. + RN not equal BSN

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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I'm not trying to be argumentative here...I'm asking a serious question because I really don't understand. I also didn't post this over in the ADN vs BSN thread because it's not nearly as active. I also searched for answers (so don't skewar me), and while I found others who asked if it's the same and were simply told 'no it's not'...but I couldn't find an answer to WHY it's not. So here it goes...

I have two B.S. degrees..one in Speech Therapy, and the other in Computer Science (don't ask..life detours keep life interesting).

I am now purusuing a nursing career. My mother was a nurse for 40 years. I keep hearing how I really NEED a BSN to move up in the field. But here's the rub - I have no desire to go back for a THIRD BS degree. I have general education coming out the wazoo. At the most I'm willing to go from an RN-MSN program provided I get tuition help from my employer as I've had enough education expenses thankyouverymuch. But another BS degree...Really?

I am also being told, here and in other places, that a B.S. degree in another field, plus an RN license does NOT equal a BSN. I really don't get that. I have the general education from a 4 year degree (and then some), and I will (God willing) have the RN education which basically encompasses the last 2 years of a BSN program (and the program I will be going through actual has MORE clinical hours than the BSN programs locally). So, 2+2 = BSN in my mind. So why doesn't it?

And don't tell me it's because of this elusive Magnet Status either. Because two of our local hospitals have Magnet status and they not only HIRE ADN's, they RUN hospital based diploma programs which spit out wonderfully prepared diploma nurses...who then get hired at said hospitals. So, the theory that Magnet Status hospitals don't hire anything less than BSN's....well, I'm confused on that too because I keep hearing it here - but the reality seems quite different - at least where I live. Feel free to answer that for me too....

So what I am hearing here is...get your BSN. If you get a diploma or ADN first and you already have a BS degree - then you need to do an RN-BSN program which will include your general education...which i ALREADY have! So, what, I take one or two bridge classes and call it a BSN? It not only seems like a money grab from the Universities, but also a semantic technicality by everyone else. What am I missing?

Please, someone - kindly- explain to me the difference between a BS degree in ANYTHING in CONJUNCTION with an RN license...and a BSN. I really want to know.

I also have a BS in another field & I have been a practicing RN for over 30 years, I have even held administrative positions. I would love to pursue an MSN for personal growth or maybe even to teach, but it is impossible for me to get into an MSN program without completing my BSN. I could however, get into Medical School, Law School, a Physician Assistant program or any other professional secondary program & they wonder why there is a shortage of nurses. We are our own worst enemies!

Columbia University in NYC offers MSN/AP degrees where along the line one obtains a BSN as well. Indeed it is the only way one is going to get a BSN from the school since Columbia discontinued it's undergrad BSN program years ago.

Columbia University School of Nursing

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SiestaRN - I PM'd you a highly ranked MSN program that allows you to go straight into the MSN (no RN-BSN courses required). You are looked at the same way as a BSN.

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I also would like to know which school allows this. Thanks.

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MS Traditional Admissions | College of Nursing

I have heard they are pretty lenient with the 2 classes you need in terms of which classes or experience. If you inquire about the RN-BSN program and have a non-nursing bachelors, they will suggest you just go straight into the MSN. Worst case scenario, you take 2 online classes the semester before you start. Sure beats a RN-BSN program any day. When I spoke to the lady in charge of admissions, she said approximately 15% of students have to take one or both before they start. The other 85% go straight in.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
The only requirement for a BA/ADN to direct enter the MSN program is to demonstrate proficiency in:

(1) concepts and processes in population-focused nursing, and (2) concepts and processes for leadership in contemporary nursing practice

This can be done by coursework, work experience, or a proficiency exam. I have been told they are pretty lenient as to what they will accept. If you cannot meet the requirement, you are admitted and you take one or both courses the summer before you start the MSN program. I know that my ADN program does meet those requirements via coursework so I will be able to directly start the MSN program the exact same as a BSN grad. I will have no prerequisites and no nursing courses to take prior.

And yes, this is a top ranked university with a well ranked and respected nursing program.

well, unfortunately, BSN curriculae aren't uniform. Most schools require coursework in microbiology, pathophysiology, organic chemistry and several other classes, that do not always form part of an ADN curriculum and certainly do not form part of all or even most BA or BS curriculae.

And this is not even taking into consideration the specific NURS coursework required.

I also wonder what kind of MSN this is, an MSN-Ed? Management and Leadership? Some MSNs, I am sorry to say, are next to useless.

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well, unfortunately, BSN curriculae aren't uniform. Most schools require coursework in microbiology, pathophysiology, organic chemistry and several other classes, that do not always form part of an ADN curriculum and certainly do not form part of all or even most BA or BS curriculae.

And this is not even taking into consideration the specific NURS coursework required.

I also wonder what kind of MSN this is, an MSN-Ed? Management and Leadership? Some MSNs, I am sorry to say, are next to useless.

Your options with the MSN are:

Adult Acute Care NP

Adult NP

Adult Oncology CNS

Clinical Nurse Leader

Neonatal NP

Nurse Midwifery

Nursing and Health Systems Management

Nursing Science

Pediatric NP

Pediatric Acute Care NP

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

Women's Heath NP

I will be staring next fall into the adult acute care NP program with an ADN and BA. No other coursework required. And this is at a top 30 ranked program in the country.

Statistics, microbiology, pathopysiology, gen chem, ochem were all required components of my ADN.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Your options with the MSN are:

Adult Acute Care NP

Adult NP

Adult Oncology CNS

Clinical Nurse Leader

Neonatal NP

Nurse Midwifery

Nursing and Health Systems Management

Nursing Science

Pediatric NP

Pediatric Acute Care NP

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

Women's Heath NP

I will be staring next fall into the adult acute care NP program with an ADN and BA. No other coursework required. And this is at a top 30 ranked program in the country.

Statistics, microbiology, pathopysiology, gen chem, ochem were all required components of my ADN.

What school?

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Please don't think I just want to poke holes in this. If its true it's great.

I have noticed your reticence in mentioning the name of the program in the thread itself and that makes me curious.

Also, many, maybe even most ADN programs do NOT require stats, patho and micro, so I am not sure how helpful such a program would be for most ADNs with a BA.

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Specializes in ICU.

When I went thru the ADN program back in 1987, microbiology and pathophysiology were required. I thought all ADN programs required micro. When I went thru the BSN program, the only difference was statistics, a research class, and some extra humanities, which I already had from a previous degree. The actual nursing part was the same.

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Your options with the MSN are:

Adult Acute Care NP

Adult NP

Adult Oncology CNS

Clinical Nurse Leader

Neonatal NP

Nurse Midwifery

Nursing and Health Systems Management

Nursing Science

Pediatric NP

Pediatric Acute Care NP

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

Women's Heath NP

I will be staring next fall into the adult acute care NP program with an ADN and BA. No other coursework required. And this is at a top 30 ranked program in the country.

Statistics, microbiology, pathopysiology, gen chem, ochem were all required components of my ADN.

I'm looking at the Master's Entry Programs and they want you to select a specialty before even doing the accelerated 1st year RN... I think I'd really like to do emergency medicine, but am curious which one of these specialties you would choose for that route...?

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Hi!You have a B.S in speech pathology? Just wondering why you didnt pursue becoming a speech pathologist? because I'm actually an RN with an ADN....im currently pursuing my BSN, but after i get that im thinking of switching routes and becoming a speech pathologist...

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Have you thought about the CNL program that is now offered at several schools of nursing? It's designed for people who hold bachelor's degrees in a non-nursing field. It's a Master's program that offers a generalist RN degree for entry into practice. It was accredited by the AACN in 2005.

Example: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) | University of Maryland School of Nursing

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