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

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. I have yet to find a hospital bedside nursing position that required a bachelor's degree. It's the non-bedside jobs that seem to require it.... infection control, education, administration (plenty of ADN administrators around though).

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