Why get a BSN?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2008

In case you're unable to handle the physical demands of floor nursing in the years to come, you'll be able to fall back onto the BSN degree and land a nursing position that is less physically taxing.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 14, 2008

I want the 50 cents more an hour so I will be going to school immediately upon completing my ADN (note I already have an MBA). Seriously, I think you will be retired by the time ADNs are phased out... However, from what I have read from very knowledgeable posters on this board the greatest benefit to having a BSN is the extra knowledge that will enhance your nursing skills. Plus, the former ADNs tend to benefit more then a BSN who never worked as a RN before receiving the degree.

You have years of experience that will make a BSN a huge added bonus compared to others with no nursing experience. It does not mean you have to leave the bedside. On the contrary, you can give input that supports your managers and your colleagues, plus everyone may respect you more because you choose to earn a degree you don't need to enhance your career. Again, I base my opinion on threads I have read... GL. :up:

RNperdiem, RN · Feb 14, 2008

If you are happy with bedside nursing and plan to stay there, what return on investment would you get with a BSN? You would spend all that money and time. Experience and skills are your best bet now.

I don't see ADN nurses getting phased out anytime soon. That is the main entryway into the profession for second career people.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Feb 14, 2008

In case you're unable to handle the physical demands of floor nursing in the years to come, you'll be able to fall back onto the BSN degree and land a nursing position that is less physically taxing.

More so a position in nursing management than less physically taxing. I have an ASN and I've had 3 very less physically taxing jobs. I think nursing management jobs can be physically taxing as well as emotionally taxing. I personally don't want any part of a nursing management position. I'll either remain an ADN or get a NP license.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Feb 14, 2008

I've gotten several emails, some from the hospital I work at, some random emails from schools that somehow got my email address, about "RN to BSN" for ADNs. I have my 2-year ADN, I'm an RN in the ED at a great Level 1 trauma center. I like my job, it's a 2nd career and have already gone down the path of teaching (I liked it OK, but don't plan to go back) and management (yuck!) from a previous corporate career.
I don't understand this feeling I have, it's kind of a feeling that ADNs are just "inferior" although I don't believe that I am...it's sort of the LVN vs RN concept in my mind, ya know? ADN vs BSN. LVNs (LPNs) are being "phased out". Same thing here: I have been told that in the future, some hospitals won't hire ADNs at all...but with such a huge shortage I don't see that happening any time soon. I know Magnet status is based on having a certain % of BSNs, I think that might be where some of my feelings of "inferiority" come from, I work at a Magnet hospital.
So what do all you BSNs and ADNs think? Is it worth it? Should I bother? Why do I even consider it?

More likely than not they just want your money. Probably from "for profit publishers"? Rue? i Study Smart? etc....? or online schools such as University of Phoenix?

Don't let the phased out crap effect your decision because that's not happening. I've been hearing that for 32+ years.

It all boils down to what you want. Is it a personal goal? Do you want to move into management? If not why bother? Just my :twocents:

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Feb 14, 2008

Having the BSN puts you in a spot were you have more options, when and if that time arrives. Scrambling at the last minute can be a pain in the but. However if you do decide to get your BSN, then do some homework and look at all the programs, and find the best for you. having just left CO myself, I know there are some local program there that are relativly inexepensice and you can do them at your own pace. I'm thinking Regis for one, and you don't have to go through college network to get it done.

But like other posters have pointed out, it's not a necesity. I've had DON positions with only an ADN, (had grad degree in other field and USAF command positions). In order to get the Grad nursing degree I had to have the BSN. So my recomendation is if you can afford it in both time and $$$, then go for it. Just make sure you find a school that works for you.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 14, 2008

It sounds to me as if you are not ready to make the investment in a BSN and that's OK. Perhaps you never will want one.

However, don't NOT get it because you think it is only for management positions. An increasing number of clinical positions are being listed as "BSN preferred" if not "required." While your entry-level nursing job is satisfying for you at the moment, be open to the possibility that you may be interested in other positions in the future.

To avoid becoming burned out and frustrated, I would recommend returning to school as you as you identify that "someday you may probably want a different type of job." If you wait until you find yourself unable to get a job a that you want ... and then you have to spend 2 years being unhappy in your current job as you choose a school and get that BSN ... you'll be a very unhappy nurse. So don't wait that long. Plan ahead.

Take an ocassional look at job ads in your area. How many of them say "BSN preferred?" When you start seeing jobs that seem attractive to you with that preferrence, it's time to go back to school -- even if you are not seriously in the market for a new job at that moment.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2008

I'm a career changer and got a BSN only because an accelerated BSN was faster than an ADN program at the time. During all my hospital years, it really made no difference. However, when I could no longer do the physical work of floor nursing, my BSN saved my hide. All the things I could do were BSN required in my state (that can vary a lot). I've now been in community health nursing for 9 years. I could do it from a wheelchair. The job required a BSN.

You don't have to get a BSN, ever. But in order to have a Plan B for your career, it certainly will open the door to non-hospital opportunities. Instead of having to give up nursing, I now have a great benefit/well paid job until I retire, thanks to my BSN.

allnurses Guide · Feb 15, 2008

I've been at the bedside for 27 years with a BSN, it doesn't have to be for management. Its also not just about the bottom line, the extra few cents you can get for it won't cover your costs in getting it.

Basically, at this point, it would be for the love of learning, of finding out more, of broadening yourself, and only slightly less for opening future doors.

I went back for my master's 4 years ago, I only do one class a semester and have another year to go. My hospital helps with tuition, but still doesn't cover the costs. I am enjoying the journey!

For the fun of it, I taught clinicals last semester for the local community college (on top of my job and my class). What I found was, the ADN program doesn't offer nearly as many nonnursing things to study; my BSN required a broad range of liberal arts, history, poly sci, etc. just to get in. As far as nursing goes, the main difference was a lot of leadership and managment courses. Although I'm not in management, I have tools to use in dealing with it!

Good luck in whatever you decide to do. :yeah:

frenchfroggyAPRN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN · Feb 16, 2008

I went from LPN to BSN. It was the best thing I could have done for myself. I can tell the difference in the staff that I work with, there are only 3 BSN RN's at the small hospital that I work in. The three of us have more management and leadership skills than the ADNs on the floor and it shows.

gator dog · Feb 16, 2008

I get so tired of hearing this. Because many Nsg Prgms have become impacted and competitive, the entry pre-reqs have followed the same curve. The ADN I was in required 34 units of college level transferrable course work(I had 71) at a given GPA, to even be considered for the program. Many financial aid entities deem 12 units to be "full-time"--so, around 3 semesters course work just get in(assuming you've jumped through all the other hoops as well)--plus the 4-5 semesters of the program itself---totaling 7-8 semesters out the door,right?

So how long is a BSN program? Might it be around 8 semesters,hmm? See my point?

Hospitals admins like to see BSNs because it looks better for PR---the public at large doesn't know any better. Are there sharper BSNs than ADNs and vice versa? Of course. I continually run into doctors who are of the impression that a candidate can just stroll into an ADN and a BSN has to qualify. Stop the Us and Them business.