mel1977

December, I am sorry but I have to disagree with you on the degree earned. My mother only has an ADN but is the highest respected RN in her field. She is a CRRN for a major Rehab company and specializes in Brain Injuries. Even the doctors put her to high respect. Also, the DON has her ADN. She knows more about nursing than many RNs I have met who have a BSN. Many of the sups also only have a ADN. Today, the nursing shortage is so severe, it really doesn't make that much of a difference. It all comes down to knowledge and hands on. If an ADN has more hands on experience and 20 years of work she will get hired over a fresh RN out of school with a BSN. I am going for my LPN, then ADN. I have been a nursing asst for six years, and I too am highly respected. I may go for my BSN, which today you can get online, once you have your ADN. My MIL is also an RN, she has her BSN which allows her to hold higher office positions in public health. If you want to climb the career ladder into the big nursing spots, then yes, you may need the BSN. BUT, I disagree. I don't know what your experience is and I don't dis-respect what you have said and written, but I have also been working very closely with nurses, in fact, most of my life. It may be more of an issue in certain states, but Missouri is not one of them. Nevada is even going to allow BSN RNs to teach in nursing school now, they won't require a masters. So, in some ways it looks like they even could be going the other direction. Sorry if I stepped on your toes, but this is just my opinion.