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.
But for some odd reason, I feel, maybe because of all these "RN to BSN" offers, that I SHOULD get my BSN. I can't get into management without a BSN, but I don't want to! I can't go back to a nursing school and teach without my BSN (and MSN), but I don't want to! I like bedside nursing, I've only been doing it for 2 years now so maybe that'll change as I get older, but for now, I love my job.
I am a "straight A's" kind of person, so when I was in nursing school, it dominated my life. I studied all the time. I have 3 kids and would continue working if I went back to school so I am sure I would expect myself to get straight A's again, and I'd obsess about school for the entire time I was going. Sounds like a lot of work and no fun.
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?
My sort of "informal" life plan is to wait until I become interested in a new job, and then get turned down for it because I don't have my BSN...then that'll spur me on to get it. If that never happens, then I guess I never needed it.
I have an ADN and I have tussled with the concept of going back to school for as long as I can remember. Back in the old days (30 years ago) you have to take everything over again, and I just couldn't see doing that. At that time there were no pay differences for bsn's.
The sad fact is that bedside nursing with an ADN pays me as much as I would make as an NP with a master's degree. I recently dabbled in management but realized I wanted no part of that because I was blamed for every mistake every one of my nurses made.
If I were to go back to school I would get degree in something else. You can always be a nurse, but if you have a bachelor's degree in, say, communications, that would open a whole new world up.
Sorry, I don't see the connection. At my hospital we have DO's doing everything from surgery to cardiology.
My point was that the end point you can reach with a BSN (MSN, DScN) pays less than a bedside job....who in their right mind in the business world would want to get an MBA or a PhD if they knew they would make less money than they would with the first degree? In every other profession the more education you have the greater your income. It's sad that nursing hasn't followed suit.
I have fought with myself for thirty years now about getting a BSN. I have and Associate's degree in nursing ; before I got that I spent three years in college as an English major.
Take this as a protest against the notion of higher education. I don't know a BSN who doesn't use double negatives. "Whadda I gotta do" is not an unusual utterance from my colleages. I work with someone who has a PhD; she can't utter a sentence without saying "he don't" or "I ain't."
I am a really good, smart nurse. Why should I spend my time and money joining the ranks of people who can't even speak proper English? Understand that the foreign nurses I work with speak better English than the natives.
I am disgusted with the whole profession. How could these people obtain college degrees? Why doesn't management intervene? How often have you heard a PT or dietician using this sort of grammar?
Specializes in ER, Pedi ER, Trauma, Clinical Education.
The whole ADN vs. BSN debate will rage on as long as both types of entry into the field exist. Here is the bottom line: a piece of paper does not determine whether you are a good nurse. Going through a BSN program does not automatically make you a nurse superior to an ADN. Only advantage to a BSN is that it might open other opportunities down the road. But, it does not sound as if you are ready to head back just yet. Give yourself some time. If you feel as if you are ready, and wanting to go back, then do so. Also, remember, you don't have to do the whole BSN full time like a traditional student. You can take one class at a time if you want. That way, you don't have to feel overwhelmed with the amount of work you will coping with. Good luck with your decision!
What did I get out of getting my BN? Interesting question. The primary reason I got my BN was so that I could get my MSN as an NP. However, I did learn interesting things along the way that I didn't get to learn in nursing school (I was a diploma prepared grad for 17 years before I got my BN). My diploma program was very focused, so I had to take the courses that were required by the program and nothing else. I took them in the order indicated and all of the courses were very nursing focused (eg. nursing, psych, A&P, micro, etc.). In my BN, I got to take a variety of electives including law, forensic psychology, history, genetics, etc. It was fun to study something for the pure joy of learning. In my nursing classes, I had a great class in informatics, another in health assessment that is serving me very well as I do Advanced Assessment for my Master's. I also took Gerontology and (I can't believe I'm saying this), research that were very interesting. Did I learn anything specific that made me a better bedside nurse? Yes, in the assessment course. Other than that, specificially know, but there is a critical thinking that comes with the undergrad program that does indirectly affect your care. The leadership part of the program helps you see different perspectives in the running of a unit, so that is useful as well.
I would recommend a BN just because it does open up doors. The satisfaction that comes with completing a Bachelor's degree is immense, and it gave me a tremendous. It gives you the opportunity to continue on to grad school, gives chances to teach or to lead if you choose that you won't get with an ADN. I think we will eventually go to a Bachelor's degree for entry to practice, but I don't think it will be soon (although, Ontario and British Columbia, I believe, have made the BN the entry to practice degree).
There are many options now for obtaining a BSN from part-time, to internet options, so explore your options and if you want to go for it, do so! You can start out by taking one class at a time to see how it works for you combining work, school and family. I have chosen to do my degrees by distance ed, but it isn't for everyone, and please don't ever think that distance ed is somehow "easier" than a "real" school. Distance ed requires a tremendous amount of self-discipline and organization, but it does give you more freedom when it comes to scheduling.
oldiegoldie
17 Posts
I have an ADN and I have tussled with the concept of going back to school for as long as I can remember. Back in the old days (30 years ago) you have to take everything over again, and I just couldn't see doing that. At that time there were no pay differences for bsn's.
The sad fact is that bedside nursing with an ADN pays me as much as I would make as an NP with a master's degree. I recently dabbled in management but realized I wanted no part of that because I was blamed for every mistake every one of my nurses made.
If I were to go back to school I would get degree in something else. You can always be a nurse, but if you have a bachelor's degree in, say, communications, that would open a whole new world up.
Good luck!