"Role Of Associate Degree Nurse" Anyone Have Any Idea What The Hell That Means?
Q: I am enrolled in the nursing program at my local community college to become
an RN. All of the nursing course descriptions have the line "and role of
associate degree nurse." at the end of their description.
When I graduate and become an RN, are they going to kick me out of rooms or
tell me I can't do certain things because I only have an associate degree? I
thought an RN was an RN unless you were certified for specialties like
cardiac,etc.
A:Yes, an RN is an RN is an RN. "And roll of an associate degree nurse" is
probably a bow to the ANA, which likes to try to keep ADNs in our place
;-).
A duly licensed Registered Nurse, is a professional nurse authorized by whatever
state license held, to perform all duties under said statue. In short, a RN, is
a RN and while certain specialties or positions may require further
training/education as long as you have your license you are a professional nurse
legally able to practice your profession.
As for the statement at the end of your college's nursing course descriptions,
one cannot imagine why they feel the need to different between associate degree
holders versus baccalaureate. Does your school offer a BSN program? I'd be
curious to see if their course descriptions say "the role of the baccalaureate
degree nurse".
I'd ask the head of the nursing department why the school feels the need to
include this statement. But then again *I* was the type to shoot from the hip
and worry about consequences later, so if you are not into rocking the boat,
don't bother.
Yes, an RN is an RN is an RN. "And roll of an associate degree nurse" is
probably a bow to the ANA, which likes to try to keep ADNs in our place >>
No, they won't kick you out of certain rooms, and you can be certified in ACLS
as a ADN. But you might well find that doors will not be open to you if you
don't get your BSN--- the Sunday paper here last week had jobs in public
health, school nursing, transport nursing, oncology, home health, all of which
said BSN required or very strongly desired.
It;s common for people just starting or contemplating a nursing career to
envision themselves at the hospital bedside forever, and then the "an RN is an
RN and we all get paid the same" mantra is seductive (although it is true that
in the better hospitals BSNs get a pay differential and more preference for
hiring/promotions over time). But a LOT of people think about where they might
be later...and unless your crystal ball is sure that you'll do bedisde care
until