Why Bachelors over Associates?!? is it worth it?

Misty1 · May 1, 2008

I'm an ADN nurse but recommend new people going into nursing to go for bachelors.

Having an ADN has closed a few doors....not many. Having a bachelors will not make you a better nurse but it will help with your career especially if you decide to go on to further your education.

Just my 2 cents good luck to you.

Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN · May 1, 2008

I agree with Misty as an BSN you will have more nursing theory knowledge than an ASN RN. And it usually takes one year to one and a half years to complete a BSN course after achieving an ASN.

As a BSN you may receive a higher sign on bonus, also more hospitals want to gain magnet status so they look for BSN nurses to fill their positions ( makes it look pretty on paper is all )

Misty1 · May 1, 2008

I've never seen a higher sign on bonus for BSNs and I don't think they are more knowledgeable. One hospital I worked at paid .50 cents an hour more so its not money.

Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN · May 1, 2008

The hospitals around my area offer a 1000 dollar sign on bonus to a BSN RN. and when I mean more knowledgeable I mean in nursing theory not practice since a ASN has far more clinical time than a BSN.

Ultimately it is not the program that shapes the RN but the will to learn and expand.

allnurses Guide · May 1, 2008

This is NOT, repeat NOT an answer designed to say one RN is better than another. It is an attempt to answer the differences in the two programs, based on a curriculum development class I just finished.

The BSN vs. ADN is the breadth and depth of education.

The "3 year" vs. "4 year" degree is very deceptive. It is possible to get enough hours in one year for entry into an ADN program, but not easy. Prereqs tend to cover the basics needed for nursing, English, Biology, Anatomy. Adds up to 90+ hours altogether, for graduation.

BSN curricula usually demand a least 60 hours of prereqs just to get in. (Not talking the bridge ones, didn't study those as hard:nuke:). The courses cover much more science than the ADN, as well as a lot of humanities courses, which is why its a Bachelors (something from every area of study). Some require political science, organic as well as basic chemistry, more than one psych class, philosophy, and general humanities classes, etc. The nursing courses include research, leadership & management, dedicated courses to public health nursing (6 hours, not as part of general nursing courses) and more. There are 66+ hours of upper level nursing courses alone, in many cases; nearly impossible to finish in 2 years, most BSN programs that I know of are 5 semesters, you WILL do the summer course.

So, the BSN is considered to have a wider exposure to knowledge (whether or not she uses all that info is another thread:lol2:)

This is a general description, no 2 programs at any level are exactly alike: and I am sure many ADN programs go beyond the basics I described. But the NLN and the AACN are the bodies setting the numbers of hours needed, and for accreditation the schools follow the guidelines pretty closely. Its really tough to try to fit everything in that faculty "think" should be there, my professor called it "credit creep".

november17, ASN, RN · May 1, 2008

So, the BSN is considered to have a wider exposure to knowledge (whether or not she uses all that info is another thread:lol2:)

That's how I feel about it. I have an AASN, but I feel like the BSN people have a more well rounded education. I'm starting to take courses towards my BSN in the fall, this is after a year as an RN. I'm actually taking a 2 credit music appreciation class and a 2 credit drawing class as my first steps towards fulfilling the pre-reqs of the BSN program I'd like to get into.

I'm mostly doing the BSN because I'd like to further my education and eventually get a masters in something. I'm honestly not sure what quite yet, but I'd like to be prepared when I'm ready. That's one of the things I like about nursing, it's something you can grow into.

My AASN program was like bootcamp. I'm glad it is over with. I lived through it. I passed the NCLEX. I got a job. I haven't killed anybody. I work with several different RNs with their bachelors degrees and we see each other as peers. Sometimes they ask me questions, and sometimes I ask them questions. We basically have the same level of clinical experience and knowledge. They are more set up for the "wider" scope of nursing practice, but that doesn't set us apart when we're on the floor managing a team of patients.

Now I'm moving onto the next step. Personally I was not in a position to go to a university when I first got the idea to become an RN. IMHO The associates vs bachelors argument is moot because different shoes fit different people.

PS it's not ADN it's AASN (associates in applied science nursing). I don't even know what ADN stands for (Associates Degree Nurse?) I know BSN is "Baccalaureate of Science Nursing" but this ADN stuff doesn't make any sense...that's not what is says on my degree and I refuse to answer to it. It sounds stupid because it is not correct

allnurses Guide · May 1, 2008

In some programs it is indeed an Associate Degree in Nursing. Depends on your school.

Reno1978, BSN, RN · May 1, 2008

Here, a 2-year nursing degree doesn't exist, although I think it's hilarious that our community college advertises their program as a 2-year program. It takes at least 4 semesters to finish the prerequisites for the ADN program even if you just took the minimum # of classes. You have to take a certain level math class (luckily I placed in this class) to take chem, which is a prereq for biology which is a prereq for A&P and Micro which are the actual nursing prereqs. I went the BSN route for the simple fact that where I live I was headed for 4 years of school anyhow, the university isn't much more expensive than the community college per credit, so I figured I may as well get a BSN if I'm going to go to school for 4 years. Because the university program went through the summer, I ended up finishing in 3.5. In fact, if I would have started the ADN program, which is very competitive, the same semester, I would still be in school!

Yeah, I did have to take 1-2 extra courses per semester while doing my prereqs to satisfy the BSN requirements, but I'm glad I did. If I went the ADN route here, and wanted to pursue a BSN, I'd have to take additional courses to satisfy university core and two semester of BSN courses, so 6 years for a BSN if I went ADN first...I just didn't like the idea of having to jump through that BSN hoop if I ever wanted to continue my education and pursue a role that requires master's level preparation.

Whether or not a BSN is "worth it" really depends on your career goals, time available to invest in your education, and cost. I was fortunate to be in a position where cost and time were about the same, so I went for the BSN.

Both degrees prepare new nurses to take the NCLEX!

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · May 1, 2008

I have a diploma. It took me three years just in nursing school and a year before that to do all the prereqs. Now I'm chipping away at the BSN because I want to have more options open to me - such as management - and it's taking forever. I'm trying to juggle a full time job, three school age kids and all of their activities. My husband is my biggest cheerleader and wants nothing more than for me to have all the education my brain desires, but I just wish I got it all out of the way years ago. This way, I can concentrate on my CEUs and staying "current".

There are a few hospitals in my area that won't even give an interview to a diploma or ASN nurse because of their strive to be "magnetic".

Blee

janis9799 · May 1, 2008

I am graduating on May 16th from a Bachelors program. When we first started the school told us about a study saying because BSN's have more theory and critical thinking courses that patient mortality rate is lower with a BSN prepared nurse compared to a ADN. They say that is because we are taught more critical thinking skills with the extra classes. Not sure if I really believe this. But I just was hired and was kind of annoyed that with my extra education that I will make the same as a new ADN. I said something to one of my professors about this, saying how can the nursing profession expect that eventually we will all have BSNs and higher if there is no real incentive to do so etc. She said that while we start out with the same salary, management positions and opportunities for advancement are more abundant for the BSN trained nurse so eventually we will make more. But become a nurse anyway you can that is worth it. I was lucky the BSN program accepted me before the ADN program which is ultimately what made my decision.

ann945n, RN · May 1, 2008

I graduated as ADN and am now working on my BSN. It goes without saying a BSN does have a more well rounded educations. A BSN has to take more prereqs then a ADN. I had to take 6 more prereq for my BSN then my ADN. As well my BSN education so far (in my opinion) has done a great job rounding out the great foundation I got with my ADN. I would say if you had the choice to do ADN v BSN I would go BSN. ADN to BSN will take you 4 semesters of full time school work, not a year and a half, at least not my degree program. It will save you a year of work to go straight for your BSN rather then do the bridge. I will not say a BSN is a better nurse then a ADN. That is a general statement and I think a good nurse is shown in performance and not degree status. Having that said a BSN will open up more doors for your future. For me my BSN was a personal goal for me. I wanted a Bachelors degree at least. My long term goals are to go into teaching LPN or CNA's and get into public health at some point. Both of these jobs require BSN nurses.