WHY do I need a BSN?

[AnnMarie52471]

I am taking classes towards my BSN because like other nurses with a diploma or ADN I am being "forced" to return to school for my BSN. I have had my ADN for 9 years. My question is HOW is statistics, critical inquiry, and the other classes going to make me a better nurse? Isn't hands on training the best way to learn? I feel like they are requiring BSN now and in 10 years want MSN so that we wont need doctors working on the floors, because nurses will do their own orders!!

I am 42 y/o and rally don't want to do this, but I have a minimum of 23 years left of working and had to be forced to stay where I am due to not having a BSN. Sure they say we may be "grandfathered" in, but that limits us to stay put.

Anyone have any input on this, as to what am I going to learn getting my BSN and why the requirement now?

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I don't understand why the confusion and the arguments of why a BSN degree is necessary.

BSN nurses are the preferred option over ADNs.

A BSN curriculum consists of more theory, more papers to right, more research etc, but we need all that to articulate our thoughts in a more organized and concise manner.

Please note I'm doing the LPN, then bridging to ADN and then to BSN because it was my choice and I need to work sooner,

Interesting that you are advocating for eliminating the exact path you are taking into nursing.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I think this is very rare, the youngest GN I ever met personally were myself and fellow graduate at 21. I knew of a younger girl who had to wait to 18 to take NCLEX but she graduated HS at 16.

I know you sought out an ADN school that doesn't have many pre-reqs but this is also quite rare. I've never heard of one, though I have to admit I only know of the requirements of about 10 and not the entire nation.

I would say your local programs should be lauded and possibly replicated but they are not the standard.

It is actually the standard in my state. All 16 of the public programs are set up the same. I was able to find a program that does not require pre-reqs in about an hour on the phone. CNA is required however, but people can do it the summer before the first semester starts. I relocated across the country to attend, then stayed. I fully realize that is not an option for everyone.

A few years ago I served as night preceptor for a new grad in the SICU who was 18 years old. I have heard of others in area hospitals but haven't met any. 19 & 20 year olds are so common and to not be commented on.

To anyone who thinks that is too young for the responsibilities of an RN I would raw your attention to the huge responsibility the military places on young people the same age with great results.

[Marsha238612]

Interesting that you are advocating for eliminating the exact path you are taking into nursing.

I'm in NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM an I trying to eliminate the path I'm currently on. I'll be starting with the LPN route but I'm not stopping until I get my BSN degree. The way I get my BSN is MY choice. I want to work and gain some nursing experience prior to finishing a BSN degree, but that doesn't mean I think becoming an LPN/ADN and stoping there is marketable(enough) in THIS TIME AND AGE.

The thread reads; why do I need a BSN? The way somebody gets there it's up to them, but ultimately a BSN is preferred and that's just the way it is.

Sent via my iPhone using allnurses.com ❤️

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I'm in NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM an I trying to eliminate the path I'm currently on.

I misunderstood you. I apologize.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Do you reccomend someone that's wants to be at the bedside forever or doesn't want to work in acute care(like myself) get a Bsn?

I don't have any desire to be the big boss nor any desire to leave home health.

So say you now, at age 31 (according to your profile). I am here to tell you that fifteen, ten, maybe five years from now you may well be singing a different tune.

Fortune favors the prepared (and better-educated) mind.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

So say you now, at age 31 (according to your profile). I am here to tell you that fifteen, ten, maybe five years from now you may well be singing a different tune.

Good point.

Fortune favors the prepared (and better-educated) mind.

Fortune should have a talk with nursing. Nursing favors those with the correct letters behind their name, regardless of how well prepared, or educated the mind is.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

Whenever one of these discussions is happening here, lots of people keep harping on the amount of student debt involved in nurses returning to school to complete BSNs as if crippling levels of student debt is simply a fact of life. I returned to school to complete a BSN at a nearby state university many years after graduating from my original hospital-based diploma program. I don't recall how much it cost me, but I do know that I was easily able to pay for the program out-of-pocket as I went (working full-time and going to school part-time), without even considering taking out any student loans. I did take out some loans for graduate school, but only the minimum amount necessary after factoring in a few scholarships I was able to get and working part-time through my graduate program (full-time during the summer and holiday breaks).

I guess it depends on the state. I have 2 local options for a state-subsidized RN-BSN. The State U charges $600 per credit (in-state), with a discount if you work at the local hospital (I don't). The local tech college just started an online RN-BSN program, for $480 per credit (in-state), plus a $200 matriculation fee every semester.

It would actually be cheaper for me to attend the school where I got my BA, as an out-of-state student, than it would be for me to do an local RN-BSN program.

My employer offers a max of $3,000 per year for tuition reimbursement, and getting it requires jumping through a lot of hoops. My state doesn't have loan forgiveness programs for nurses who are not veterans or members of the National Guard. I finally paid off my student loans 2 years ago, and I have no intention of ever going down that road again.

[adnrnstudent, ASN, RN]

I think BSN's are frustrated that they have spent more money on their education and come out making the same as the nurse who didn't. I will be honest...when they are both new grads the ADN is a little better equipped for the floor although the BSN will have better opportunities and catches up quickly.

Let's add to that, should a BSN from a private school be frustrated that they payed 50k+ for their education compared to a BSN from a state school that paid 25k and don't make anymore?

But to address what you said, a lot of ADN's went on to get B.S. in other fields too way before this hardcore "BSN" only stuff began.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Let's add to that, should a BSN from a private school be frustrated that they payed 50k+ for their education compared to a BSN from a state school that paid 25k and don't make anymore?

But to address what you said, a lot of ADN's went on to get B.S. in other fields too way before this hardcore "BSN" only stuff began.

I don't here a BSN grad berating the other BSN grads... I do however, hear a lot of BSN/ADN chatter calling the ADN inferior.

Don't get me wrong. I have a BSN that I got after my ADN I just think we need to stop being unkind to each other.

[mrnightinggale]

While I do understand the reluctance to take the time, effort and money to upgrade from your ADN, to a BSN, I find it curious that some of you said you learned nothing that would make you a better nurse over 2 years of school. Really? You may be a great nurse but the community is always learning new things through science, EBP etc. As nurses, we OWE it to our patients to learn things. Some of you say you've been nurses for 30 years. Do you think nursing now is the same as it was in the 80s? As an occasional patient, I hope that my nurse is open to learning and doesn't think he/she knows it all (without making some effort toward academics or CEUs, or reading journals etc).

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I

find it curious that some of you said you learned nothing that would make you a better nurse over 2 years of school. Really? You may be a great nurse but the community is always learning new things through science, EBP etc.

The amusing thing is that you think that a BSN program is (a) two years long! LOL! and (b) includes things like EBP or science, double LOL!

As nurses, we OWE it to our patients to learn things.

Yes! Of course! However instead of doing that I was writing papers about what it felt like to have a golf ball taped in my hand.

Do you think nursing now is the same as it was in the 80s? As an occasional patient, I hope that my nurse is open to learning and doesn't think he/she knows it all

No need to be condescending. Not wanting to obtain a BSN is no indication that a nurse thinks she knows it all. In fact it could possibly indicate the opposite.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I

The amusing thing is that you think that a BSN program is (a) two years long! LOL! and (b) includes things like EBP or science, double LOL!

I believe the poster is referring to RN-to-BSN bridge programs.

Yes! Of course! However instead of doing that I was writing papers about what it felt like to have a golf ball taped in my hand.

Just because you found parts of your program not to your liking (and believe me, not all programs

have students write about having a golf ball taped in one's hands) does not mean that BSN/BSN completion programs have no merit.

No need to be condescending. Not wanting to obtain a BSN is no indication that a nurse thinks she knows it all. In fact it could possibly indicate the opposite.

More education is never a bad thing; it is up to the nurse to decide whether it is worth it for him/herself. Not having that BSN can be detrimental when wanting to move up the career ladder into management or education, changing jobs, etc. I didn't find anything condescending in the PP's post;only the recognition that nursing has changed and will continue to change in the future.