RN vs. BSN

[Kendall]

Is there a difference between RNs and BSN, besides one of them has a 4 yr degree and the other has a 2 yr degree? Would a BSN be hired over a RN?

[Anonymous]

Kendall.

A BSN is an RN..

There are three ways to get an education to sit for the NCLEX exam to be able to put RN after your name.

A diploma,, I don't think there are any of these "schools" left in the USA. They were 3 years in duration. 3 full years i.e. 12 months X 3 or 36 months. Most of the training was on the job. You were in charge of a unit at some point. You "worked" a full shift. 8 hours etc. IMHO they did the best job of producing great nurses.

An ADN degree will lead you to the NCLEX exam that if you pass with allow you to put RN after your name. They are 2 year programs. With a little more empahisize on clinical training.

BSN is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It is a 4 year degree. You have to take "core" classes. Humanities, History, similar to a Liberal Arts degree. After the first two years you will go into clinicals..i.e nursing courses .. Hands on stuff. In this program you will be required to learn alot of things on your own.. Maybe a little less hand holding.. IMHO..

Now what route should you go.. I doubt you will find a Diploma School.

IMHO I would go the BSN route. I am a BSN so I'm sure I am biased. But I do have other reasons for suggesting it.
I believe that it will be THE route to goin the years to come... And Yes I have been hearing that since the late seventies but someday it's gonna come to fruition...

Some certifications now require a BSN.. The Certified Nephrology Nurse cert comes to mind.. I do dialysis that's why I know that...

If you can afford the time and money to go BSN that's the way I would go if doing it all over again.. I was an LPN for years..

You might be interested in being a Nurse Practioner. I am partial to them as apposed to Physician Assistants NP's use the nursing process to treat people among other modalities. And they have prescriptive powers in many states.

Now some would suggest you go the ADN route and then go back for your BSN .. That is a good suggestion too. But I see so many never going on to BSN.. It took me 15 years to do it..

Hope this helps..


WR,,, three commas for Becca

[Kendall]

Thanks, but is there a pay difference between a RN with a BSN and just a RN? Do more hospitals perfer a BSN?
thanks
kendall

[nursinghumor]

In most places, you will not get paid more for having a BSN vs an RN from a two year diploma program. I'll qualify that by saying in a Nursing Shortage, they may pay extra for a BSN, same as a CEN or CCRN certification. It's usually not the case though.

Where it might pay more is down the road if you decide to go into administration or case management. Employers usually want people with more education for those positions (looks better for them).

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursinghumor.com