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Why You Should Choose a BSN
Monster Contributing Writer Lisette Hilton
Whether you have a diploma, an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), landing a nursing job these days usually isn’t a problem. Advancing in the profession, though, is another matter if you hold less than a BSN, according to experts.
But is the BSN always a necessity? Is an associate’s degree alone enough to open the door to a rewarding nursing career?
The bottom line is that choosing a nursing degree depends on the individual’s needs and goals, says Donita Qualey, RN, MN, president of the National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing and professor of nursing at Delgado Community College in New Orleans.
“If the career goals are always to work at the bedside, then the associate’s degree is perfectly fine,” Qualey says. “But if you’re younger and want to teach or go higher in management, then you would go on for your advanced degree.”
Four Reasons to Get Your BSN:
#1 Lower Nursing Degrees Under Scrutiny
#2 Considerations for Second-Career Nurses
#3 Degree as a Stepping-Stone
#4 Advancement, Earning Power
2Leilani
2 months ago
6 comments
Good Nursing judgement and good Nursing care do not depend on a degree. I've worked with new BSN grads and they didn't know their way around the floor or how to do or give good beside care. They were excellent at nursing the paperwork, and giving out assignments.
niksmom
2 months ago
4 comments
I am 33 years old (not young but not old:) and graduating on May 16th with my BSN. It was the best decision I have ever made. I feel like I am a step ahead. Not to mention, most hospitals north of NYC are only hiring new grads if they have a BSN. Education in nursing is vital to furthur expand us as a profession. My goals include FNP and then a doctorate in either nursing education or DNP. Ultimately I want to teach and inspire other new nurses the way I was during my 4 years of school.
marvan8kbs
2 months ago
4 comments
I am a BSN and get LESS than newly hired ASN's....I also have my med surg certification.
None of that means anything in terms of money other than i had more student loans to pay back.
The new nurses are getting their loans paid back by employers.
I decided to move into teaching, as i am very good at it, BUT that requires a MASTERS with the commitment to work toward your doctorate......wow. watch your step with furthering your education..I would have been better off staying with my origonal ASN.
smschafle
7 months ago
22 comments
I graduated from a 3 yr. hospital program in 1975, and a RN to BSN program in 2006, and earned my PHN certification in 2007. However, it is only now, Dec. 8, 2008, to be exact that I will finally be hired as a PHN, RN and use my credentials. Warning to the Baby Boomer Nurses: Getting an advanced degree is costly and many places won't hire you because of your age. It is cheaper to hire a "young" BSN,RN then one with experiece. Education is not cheap and working a shorter number of years after your degree (if you can get hired) is not enough time to break even financially, much less get ahead. Therefore, if you are a Baby Boomer, please make a game plan and look at the cost and returns before re-entering the scholastic forum and save yourself the money, frustration, and disappointment that comes with the advanced degree.
NurseMizzle
7 months ago
4 comments
I'm 24 years old. I'm a mom and a Nursing Assistant on the Telemetry unit. I never thought about going into nursing but now I want to go straight for my BSN. I've always had high goals. The nurses on my shift really think I should pursue a degree and my Nurse Manager committed to backing me 100% after baarely 6 months on the job!!
kaoni2000
8 months ago
12 comments
I agree with Poliwog. I am 45, graduated as an RN June 2007 and now I want to go for my BSN. I am not sure that I want to "MOVE OFF THE FLOOR". I enjoy and WANT to stay bedside. The only thing holding me back is having more student loans. I can only benefit myself and my patients by furthering my education.
Poliwog
9 months ago
8 comments
I resent this -
“If the career goals are always to work at the bedside, then the associate’s degree is perfectly fine,” Qualey says. “But if you’re younger and want to teach or go higher in management, then you would go on for your advanced degree.”
Why would you have to be younger to want to teach or go higher in mangement? Im 42 yrs old and in an ADN program and definitely planning to go straight into a BSN program and eventually obtain my Master's. I have two friends in their 50's who share the same goals I do. Education has nothing to do with age.
slh25625
9 months ago
2 comments
The hospital I work for only gives a BSN 50 cents an hour more than an ADN. So I don't think the cost of the extra education is worth it right now.
racynote
9 months ago
12 comments
I know this is true but I don't have to like it esp. since the nurses that I personally know with higher degrees do not even consider doing patient care. What will happen with the nursing shortage then?
snowbunnyRN
9 months ago
258 comments
I am a 51 yr old with a ADN and I'm considering going on for my BSN! I won't be making a whole lot more money with a BSN, however, I'm thinking that I'll be working probably well into my late 60's-70's and I don't know if my health will be good for doing bedside nsg!! I'm thinking I could get into management or possibly school nursing when and if my health declines in my "old age" !! I have to wait at least a year before I'll pursue this, because I'm presently paying for my 20 yr old son attending an LPN program!!
maryrn62200
9 months ago
14 comments
I am a proud holder of a Diploma in Nursing. I have a great deal of respect for those of us with a BSN because I feel that having a BSN just makes the profession as a whole; more professional which may lead into higher wages or salaries. I started in nursing as a CNA in 1979. I was a CNA for 3 years before going back to school to became a LPN. 17 years later, I went back to school and was graduated as a Diploma RN at the age of 40. I personally believe that learning should never stop and I hope that I can continue learning and be graduated as a BSN before I retire. I encourage any and all young nurses to go for the gusto!
elpasofire
9 months ago
6 comments
I agree that a BSN does not make you a more competent nurse. Competence is somehting the individual must personally attain. I am about to graduate in Dec with my BSN, but before I attained my ADN I ws a Paramedic, so I had lots of experience. The ADN made me feel more complete, and my knowledge, skill and experience showed. I returned for my BSN because I want to be a FNP. But with my background, I am the Bioterrorism Coordinator for the Fire Department in my City.
ablack
9 months ago
46 comments
I have my BA in a non-related nursing field. I have looked into getting my MSN at the local University, but I can't afford to quit my job. I have to pay bills and I am trying to buy a house. I just don't have the money or the time to go to a full time MSN program. If there was a part time MSN program that had clinicals at night I would choose that in a heartbeat, but the University forbids students to work at all during the first year because of clinicals. The goal of getting my ADN is much more attainable. With the shortage of nurses... you would think states would take extra steps to make sure there were night programs available for those who want their BSN or MSN...
jorjasmith
9 months ago
10 comments
I'm planning on getting my associate's degree so as to be an RN, I already have a bachelor's degree in another area of study. I've done the research and as I already have a B.S. I will be able to go on to pursuing my master's degree - I live in Florida by the way so for each state you would probably have to do your own research.
NurseKitty08
9 months ago
4 comments
I had been a LVN for years (thoes that dont know its the equivalent of a LPN but Texas is the only state that give the LVN credentials). When I initially started in a teaching facility (County Hospitals) one could work at any level of nursing ie... critical care, ER ect. I did that and presently credentialed in the areas. I obtained my BS in Pre Law along the way with a Masters in Social Work. I have no desire to obtain a BSN for I have what I need for any capacity for dealing with the public.
I agree with some of the posters it is assinine to believe that higher credentials a great nurse one does make. In all the critical care experience I have the nurses who were the worse and I rarely interacted with them because of the demeanor were the BSN and MSN. They knew very little pertaining to patient care and safety. If one has been a nurse for any length of time you know that patients are not textbook and that is what these nurses look for and not the obvious. Thier critical care skill lack real nursing judgement. I toot my own horn because I am passionate concerning the care of others and can run rings around my own and several other ER Directors in critical care situation and am often told to apply for management positions. I have no desire I did that as a LVN and all I got was high blood pressure as a result of constantly have to listen to all the bit#ch whinning and complaining.
I dont discredit thoes in management positions but I do know from experience it does not make you a better nurse. I am delighted to be a ER/ICU nurse and in actuality all I have are the RN credentials behind my old LVN name. I have always been a excellent nurse... but that's just me!
I would say that it furthering your education is important if you want to teach or in a specialized field such as NP or anethestist but other than that you will just have the prestige of saying you have a higher degree hell I got that now and what? lol
To the person who deemed that AAS and ADN will be phased out.... WELL MY LOVE AS A LVN I HEARD THE SAME THING FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS AND GUESS WHAT..... I AND MY PEERS WERE STILL LVN'S now how about that.... ADN's and AAS's arent going anywhere its that mentaility that spreads the rumors which excite the panic saddens me as a Nurse...
but in your defense.... if you say so! Guess what from LVN to RN my pay only expanded to about a $7500 difference I already had the pay... I just got the credentials...
LOVE MY CRITICAL CARE NURSING IN TEXAS