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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
lbirdis918
about 5 years ago
26 comments
Does it have to be a BSN or do they just want to see a bachelor's degree? I have a bachelor's degree in public safety administration but am finishing up my ADN this May. This is a second career and my bachelor's degree worked out well with my previous job. Does my current bachelor's degree help me? I plan on getting my Master's degree but I don't want to have to pay for another bachelor's degree as well. I have been told that it is better to skip the BSN and go to MSN. Any ideas?
Account Removed
about 5 years ago
I am an LPN and am in an LPN-RN Bridge Program and it will take me 15 month to finish the ADN. To Debrafloreslvn74, it doesn't take three years. I am going to be fifty years old by the time I graduate from this program, and am planning to go on to the BSN since my heart desire is to teach. It really depends on your future goals if you should go on to advanced nursing or not. I can imagine though that in the next twenty years or so , that it is gojng to be required to have a BSN, and they won' even offer the ADN anymore. Several of my class mates are even older than myself, I admire anybody who goes back to school in later life; that shows you that you are never too old to go back to school to better yourself.
vickielee1970
about 5 years ago
806 comments
The article did a good job explaining why one would consider an advanced degree. I want my RN, ASN and then I want my BSN. I eventually would like to teach so a MSN is not out of the question. But first I want to be a Great Nurse because that is at the core of every goal I have. I have a note pinned to my bulletin board one of my clinical instructors wrote me on my paperwork telling me I will be a Wonderful Nurse. I want to always live up to that praise and expectation, regardless of the degrees I obtain.
Debrafloreslvn74
over 5 years ago
6 comments
My girlfriend & I are Lvn's for 30+yrs, we just want to get our RN but not spend 3 yrs to get it. We haven't found any resources where we can do this, so we have unhappily decided we have to stay where we are.
ckismet
over 5 years ago
2 comments
I already have two Master degrees in other fields; however, I have enrolled in an ADN program. I can certainly attest to the fact that advanced degrees, although great to obtain, do not make the person smart, safer or wiser, just more marketable. Also, the current nursing deficit and the rumors that nursing is a dying profession should take the emphasis off the type of degree obtained and on what is really important, WE NEED GOOD NURSES.
MSMAIDRN
over 5 years ago
2 comments
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH WINDY6606! I HAVE BEEN A ADN RN FOR 16 YRS. I HAVE ALSO HELD SEVERAL MANAGERIAL POSITIONS. IT'S NOT THE CREDENTIALS THAT MAKE A GOOD NURSE. IT'S THE PERSON. NURSING IS WHAT I DO, IT'S NOT WHO I AM!!
MTM,RN
windy6606
over 5 years ago
6 comments
I have been in nursing for 34 years. I have worked with Diploma, ADN, AAS, BSN and MSN nurses. I have been in management, supervision and staff positions. The degree does not make the nurse talented, good, safe or smart. The person behind the degree does. Some of the best nurses are 2 year graduates (ADN or AAS). And I have worked with some totally scary BSN and MSN nurses. When will the nursing profession go back to recognizing the talented and deserving person instead of the degree? Probably never. The patient is no longer the major concern. Big Business has taken over the medical profession. God help the patient.
dd0774867
over 5 years ago
2 comments
How about homecare nursing?I have only 16 mos in a hospital setting and am presently in homecare.I have strong thoughts about returning to hospital for weekend shifts but am a little intinidated since it has been 7 yrs.I was also thinking about working privately as a private duty nurse on my own.What kind of advice can you offer.I like flexibility because of my 7 yr old son but I like more pay?L in NJ
PJOHNSON
over 5 years ago
170 comments
I am studying for my ADN at Community College which does not offer a BSN. I will most like go on to get the BSN but first I want to get out of school and start uasing my skills!
KPetro
over 5 years ago
88 comments
I'll back up these comments. I have never regretted all those extra hours studying in order to get my RN license. Totally worth it! I feel so accomplished.
cuttie
over 5 years ago
1002 comments
I say hands up for all the nurses that went back to school to get a advance degree, and to all the nurses that have ADN degrees, and are comfortable with your job title and degrees, don't be pressure into something, unless you choose to do it. Keep up the good work!!! God bless.
Account Removed
over 5 years ago
I love what I do now, but because of gaols that I set for myself I will obtain a higher degree.