Introduction
Before the RN-BSN program, I had a very different perception of what nursing entails compared to what I have experienced to date. Nursing always seemed and appeared simple as depicted in the movies and films where doctors and nurses featured. It seemed like the activity of only sticking a patient with a needle, taking the patient’s vitals, saving the life of the patient and moving on with life.
Before RN-BSN Program
I changed my perception soon after enrolling at the RN-BSN programs, I got to realize the much Hollywood tends to oversimplify the character and details that are aligned with nursing as a career. It requires much more than what was being depicted and I strongly believe there are so many people out in the world who share similar thoughts as those that I used to have. There is much more in nursing other than the literal word ‘nurse’ itself.
In my research, I have been able to realize that the term nurse can be viewed from different angles and defined in different ways as the term nurse differs in its use widely. For instance, I got to understand that a nurse can fall in the line of an LPN- licensed practical nurse, the RN-registered nurse just to mention a few of the many titles nurses have. From these definitions and categorization, I got to find sense in the differentiation of the nursing field of profession. I got to realize that the nurses greatly vary and differ according to their level of qualification and competency and expertise level in general.
Lifelong Learning
I was surprised to realize that a person can also choose to acquire or have an associate degree in nursing as well as pursuing a science bachelor’s degree in nursing, the vastness of the field was also surprising to me when I got to realize that one can actually advance beyond the bachelors’ level to the master of science in nursing level as well as PHD. This made me develop the interest in being part of the nursing experience and fraternity and to this point can point out these aspects concerning the field out of practical experience rather than the generalization notion as depicted by the media.
Novice to Expert
I got to realize how essential passing of exams such as the NCLEX was in order for one to become a registered nurse, hard work was the key at this point since there is absolutely no way around to achieving this. RN as well as BSN program also made me realize that the end results of the program were actually the same the only difference is built upon the time commitment and the path one treads in the process to becoming an RN the choice to progress with BSN is actually out of someone’s will not get into the job market after the completion of RN. The shortest and best path to earning high credentials is that which one pursues RN to BSN program (Mertig, 2003).
Role Transition to Professional Nursing
In terms of potential job types, I was able to realize that in the past all I thought was if it happens you have a nursing degree you will automatically become a nurse. From the current experience, I have been able to realize that there is so much more to this notion. As depicted in the films it is true that the RNs carry out the typical nursing duties hey carry out some tasks such as the charting of patients’ symptoms as well as operating most of the medical equipment. Most of the duties the RNs undertake are enshrined in the bureau of labor statistics.
On the other hand, the possession of a BSN opens the opportunities for someone in terms of availing one with options. Generally, from the outline I was able to realize that a nurse who is in possession of a BSN can actually do everything that an RN does. In addition to this, the same nurse may decide to work in the field of public health and in some instances become a nurse educator. Therefore, as a lifelong learner, I feel that the two programs are essential if one decides to pursue nursing from a broadened perspective.
References
Mertig, R. (2003). Teaching nursing in an associate degree program. New York: Springer Pub. Co.
