What do you think?
When did we shift into a world where a bachelor’s degree is not enough? Hell, when did we shift to a world where a high school diploma is not enough? My first “professional” job I used no skills that I learned in college. As a political science major with minors in art history and classical studies, nothing that I did in my job reflected my preferences or skills. But having that degree set me above people who didn’t have one, even if it had nothing to do with anything.
Is it fair? Do you need a piece of paper and thousands of dollars in debt to determine that you’re a harder worker and worth more money than someone who doesn’t have that piece of paper? Or maybe they have a lesser piece of paper from a two-year school. Since they were probably working to put themselves through that two-years anyway, and it probably ended up taking longer. I’m not entirely sure what brought on this moral crisis I seem to be going through. Well, I kind of do. I think.
Yesterday we had a panel of our advanced practice nurse faculty come talk to us about the advanced practice nursing programs at our school. How it’s much better then being a regular nurse. How you will feel more fulfilled and amazing by officially becoming a professional student. How every day is a mystery, a wonderous puzzle that can only be solved by your marvelous, advanced nursing brain.
In December I will have two bachelor’s degrees. Personally I think that combined they should be a masters, but that’s just me. Anyway, this degree will actually enable me to practice what I’ve learned over these very accelerated 16 months. Hospitals now are almost exclusively BSN (bachelor’s of science in nursing) preferred, meaning that two-year RNs will slowly be phased out and required to enroll in RN to BSN programs just to keep their jobs. Just like the high school diploma. I’m not saying that I could have done this job out of high school. I’m not even saying I could have done this job after my first degree. But there’s something to be said for the need for more education for more pay, when the education doesn’t have anything to do with the job.
I think that in the future I will eventually pursue an advanced degree in nursing, but I feel like I need to find my footing first. I know that they push us because they want our money, but frankly I’m tired of hearing about it. Why is it not acceptable that I want to work for a few years to make sure I’ve found a specialty that I want to advance in? Why can’t I just look forward to graduating in December and getting a paycheck? Because that’s all I want at this point. So just let me do it, okay? Geez.
xoxo
Kash of All Trades 
Preach it, girl! Actually, I think it’s very wise to work a while before moving on (and not just because that’s what I’m doing). It gives you a chance to see not only what you may like, but what you’re good at and where you fit. Because if you got into this field, as I did, because you wanted to give, then finding out where you can maximize that is of importance too.
I’ve been an ADN since 1985 (disabled now, but never had trouble getting a job- hospital, or nursing home; staff/charge/supervisor positions). I worked mostly in Texas- in Austin or the Hill Country. I agree- those who take the same boards should be eligible for the same positions. If an advanced degree is needed (and experience is irrelevant), it’s sad IF the nurse hasn’t spent enough time working with patients to know a vulva from a uvula. I’ve worked with LVNs/LPNs who could run circles around many RNs, and like any profession, some really hideous RNs who had the bedside manner of a Brillo pad. Doing it just for the money alone seems to leave the nurse shocked at the bodily fluids, naggy docs, and red tape they have to do, as it’s actually ‘work’… If ADNs are phased out, there goes the decades of experience they represent- and tricks of the trade that aren’t in any book. Good luck š
First of all, thank you for sharing the POV of an ADN nurse. I agree, we all sit for the same exam so what’s the deal? I know a lot of my classmates are rearing to enroll in these FNP programs and we have zero experience – so it makes no sense to me.
And second of all, thanks for stopping by!
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