RN certificate or RN-BSN??

Right now i am an LPN transitioning to RN. What i am curious about is would you recommend a BSN over just an RN certificate program? I am going for just an RN but will go back after boards to do the other classes to make it a BSN if i so choose. I want to work in a specialty area (i.e. surgery, L&D, hospice...) Reason being is i do not want to do Team Leading in a hospital setting because of the poor treatment of RN's and LPN's that work the floors at the hospital. Would it be better to have the BSN first for this case? (We have had 30+ nurses both L and R walk out over the last month in the hospital because of poor work conditions!!)

BSN and the RN both take the same boards, the only difference is the focus on more management classes and the ability to move up to management roles.

I originally got my Associate Degree in Nursing and began working as a RN in 1999. A few years later I went back to college and enrolled in a RN-BSN program that only required me to complete three semesters of classes.

A normal BSN program takes 4 years to complete and then you are able to take your boards. The ADN route usually only takes 2-2.5 years to complete, you then take your boards and work as a RN. Then if you want to continue on you are able to go back with no loss in time and complete the BSN in the same amount of school time it would have originally took for you to just complete your BSN. Not only will doing the ADN route let you practice sooner but you will also earn more while you make your decision to continue your education.

Believe me the BSN and beyond is the way to go, but for me and tons of others, the ADN route is better at first.

You'll get further these days with a BSN, especially if you eventually want to get into nursing management. If you eventually wanted get into teaching, I'd recommend a masters in nursing or even a PhD. Look at the different hospitals' job boards in your area (and surrounding areas) and see what they are requiring for their nursing positions.

The BSN is really only needed if you want to be lead nurse. To be in the position of authority you should have the degree. if you just want to help people and do the work then just go for the RN. You can always go back to school if you cahnge your mind.

Always opt for more schooling upfront. A nurse has to make herself marketable now , which will always effect her future choices in healthcare. Dont worry who comes and goes at hospitals. All people leave for different reasons and is normal for large hospitals. Just look at your goals and stick to them. If you are going to be an RN, you have to get some backbone and stand up for yourself....which also means getting a BSN and add more credentials after that..

Sounds like it is more of just the policies of one facility that the staff are not happy about. Not all facilities treat their staff badly.

If you want to achieve the BSN or MSN degree, it may be better to do it all at the start instead of going back. I know many nurses who became RN's with an ADN and never went back since they were tired of schooling.

In my case. I didn't see the need for further schooling and am happy with where I am without it. Most of my management team beneath me do have BSN degrees, but it still does not mean you get to the top of the ladder with it.