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?
Oh and there is no such thing as an adult learning programs. Each school requires you to take their class. That is the reason for the repetition. That is how the schools make money.
Sorry, but I have to disagree with this....I had an associates degree prior to my BSN; I didn't have to repeat any courses; I took their nursing courses and only need 3 university required courses. Even have me credit for being a LPN.
You could've CLEP courses that were needed and got what was required and got the BSN; a good school will help with that.
Exactly what I wanted to say...well said. No it doesn't make a better nurse, but with the current glut of nurses in the market, employers can demand whatever they want, and pay as they see fit. It stinks! I'm a 46 y/o BSN who plans on maybe going back for MSN someday if I get bills paid and feel motivated. By then, I may feel like working PT and just saying to heck with it. But I digress....spot on as usual Esme12!
Why now? Because the academics have been trying to push it FOREVER. Why now? because everyone and their brother has gone to nursing school and there is a surplus of nurses. Why now? simply because they can. Anytime this has been attempted legally...they have to grandfather already licensed nurses in or pay out of their pocket to re-educate...they can't take away your license. They can however refuse to hire you.
However, with the current climate and bad behavior of the powers that be...I wouldn't out it past them to try. So they do the next best thing....they will not hire without a BSN.
and the argument continues.
Will the classes you take after your ADN really ADD to your practice at the bedside? No...they won't....other than the ability to find work.
Thanks, LadyFree28, I didn't know about this, and have Home Health, LTC, Med/Surg and ICU experience. And I have my BSN, almost a req for any job in south central IN! I am going to check into this
The job that I described in my previous post is not a "boss" job; it's a position were you have a client base and you help educate pts about their disease process, your expertise will KEEP them at HOME.
Please google disease management or go to nurse.com; it's a CEU course.
Your experience PLUS a BSN will open you to those particular positions I described, that's my point.
Racket ! Yes, as one that has been an ADN for over twenty years ,and just finished my BSN recently and multiple certifications - I can honestly call the push for BSN -again- Racket . Even worse, with the right people presenting their very own Evidence Based Practice ( with the backing of Universities=more tuition $ ) nurses may find (coming to a theater near you ) themselves looking at MSN to empty bed pans . Don't be fooled it's all money-CEUs, Certifications , BSN,MSN, etc. all about money-just keep us coming back. Matter of fact , if you have the time and no budget you can have it all. I don't have all the answers:never have,never will. Just look at all the advertisements for continuing education.
You see , when I was in the military (USMC) if a guy/gal attended a speciality school i.e Combat Diver , EOD, Scout /Sniper, Tanker, etc. when he/she came back to the unit and a situation arouse for that speciality it was time for that person to " Cowboy Up " because no one else in the unit had been trained. Go figure , nothing changed after getting a BSN/Certs ( No Cowboy Up ! ) but lost time and tution reimbursement money. I'm still doing the same thing/pay that I could have continued to do with an ADN ,and that would be everything except L&D and actual surgery . You name it , I can do it.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Racket ! Yes, as one that has been an ADN for over twenty years ,and just finished my BSN recently and multiple certifications - I can honestly call the push for BSN -again- Racket . Even worse, with the right people presenting their very own Evidence Based Practice ( with the backing of Universities=more tuition $ ) nurses may find (coming to a theater near you ) themselves looking at MSN to empty bed pans . Don't be fooled it's all money-CEUs, Certifications , BSN,MSN, etc. all about money-just keep us coming back. Matter of fact , if you have the time and no budget you can have it all. I don't have all the answers:never have,never will. Just look at all the advertisements for continuing education.
You see , when I was in the military (USMC) if a guy/gal attended a speciality school i.e Combat Diver , EOD, Scout /Sniper, Tanker, etc. when he/she came back to the unit and a situation arouse for that speciality it was time for that person to " Cowboy Up " because no one else in the unit had been trained. Go figure , nothing changed after getting a BSN/Certs ( No Cowboy Up ! ) but lost time and tution reimbursement money. I'm still doing the same thing/pay that I could have continued to do with an ADN ,and that would be everything except L&D and actual surgery . You name it , I can do it.
The BSN isn't additional training. It is different than sending your marines for specialty training. a more appropriate analogy would be the marines requiring all of the sergeant majors and warrant officers to repeat boot camp, but this time with drill instructors recruited from the Girl Scouts.
I find it offensive that you speak like you do. I am not whining, but I DID take the same exam YOU did, you know nothing more than I do. It should be MY choice to go back to school to obtain higher education if I choose to do so. Tell me, what classes towards a BSN will help me be a better nurse? Statistics? Critical inquiry...come on! I use these things everyday at work, without my BSN. I am a great nurse-with only a ADN.
I have a family, a sick mother other responsibilities to take care of. I can guarantee that there will be no more money for having a BSN- they want us to take on more responsibility without pay, that is the goal.
I find it offensive that you speak like you do. I am not whining but I DID take the same exam YOU did, you know nothing more than I do. It should be MY choice to go back to school to obtain higher education if I choose to do so. Tell me, what classes towards a BSN will help me be a better nurse? Statistics? Critical inquiry...come on! I use these things everyday at work, without my BSN. I am a great nurse-with only a ADN. I have a family, a sick mother other responsibilities to take care of. I can guarantee that there will be no more money for having a BSN- they want us to take on more responsibility without pay, that is the goal.[/quote']
Have you ever considered that (for financial reasons or others) the the hospitals want to improve outcomes?
Shouldn't nursing, as a profession (in aggregate), strive to take on "more responsibility" and encourage more education?
All too often this debate becomes about the individual: "I'm a great nurse", "I have responsibilities outside of work", "I have rescued another nurse from a messy situation". It should focus on the profession.
Do you think making a statement that "you know nothing more than I do" is true in all cases?
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Shouldn't nursing, as a profession (in aggregate), strive to take on "more responsibility" and encourage more education?
Absolutly. However it's a bit of a straw man argument. There is no discussion of encouraging more education outside of the very, very narrow confines of the BSN. There is more than one way to skin a cat, better ways sometimes. A nurses who seeks to futher her education and increase her competence by taking part in training offered, taking classes, earning certification, even getting an advanced degree is anything outside of nursing, despite it's relivence to her work, is lumped into the same catagory as the nurse who never cracks a professional journal, never takes a class and ignores all oppertunities for self and professional improvement if the path she takes doesn't result in a BSN.
Absolutly. However it's a bit of a straw man argument. There is no discussion of encouraging more education outside of the very very narrow confines of the BSN. There is more than one way to skin a cat, better ways sometimes. A nurses who seeks to futher her education and increase her competence by taking part in training offered, taking classes, earning certification, even getting an advanced degree is anything outside of nursing, despite it's relivence to her work, is lumped into the same catagory as the nurse who never cracks a professional journal, never takes a class and ignores all oppertunities for self and professional improvement if the path she takes doesn't result in a BSN.[/quote']
For current ADN or diploma nurses, my personal opinion is that any type of education that advances practice is on par with perusing a BSN, in fact, it may be better.
For future grads, I think the standard should be a BSN entry based on the research in outcomes that exists. Personally I think the addition education in BSN-specific program provides better (in aggregate) entry to practice position.
These posts (the OP) intrigue me. If you do not wish to obtain a degree, feel it is not appropriate for your life circumstances, or just object to the decree based on principle, refuse to pursue it. Do not obtain the BSN. The end.
However, if you been advised by the administrators at your place of employment that you should, do not be surprised if you find yourself in an undesirable position later. Them's the breaks.
Do it, don't do it. The choice and the consequences are yours and I support your right to make the choice so long as you acknowledge that you will be responsible for the outcome. But for pity's sake, just make the decision and stop whining about it.
Why do you need a BSN OP? Apparently to keep your job. You do what they tell you to do or yo do not get to remain employed by that institution. Pretty simple. If you don't want to keep this job, get a different one that isn't going to force you to get a BSN against your will. Arrange flowers, walk dogs, blog.
I'm not just picking on the OP here. The whole nursing culture complaining about the push for degreed preparation for practice is ridiculous. If you don't want to comply, just don't.
LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN
8,429 Posts
Sorry, but I have to disagree with this....I had an associates degree prior to my BSN; I didn't have to repeat any courses; I took their nursing courses and only need 3 university required courses. Even have me credit for being a LPN.
You could've CLEP courses that were needed and got what was required and got the BSN; a good school will help with that.