b'LEADERSHIP GUIDE|How Important is a BSN?ADN vs BSN The great debateBy Krystina Ostermeyer RN, BSN, CDEIAfter completing my LPN certification, I began working the night always knew that I wanted to be a nurse. My mother is an LPN and my aunt is an RN. I would listen to them trade workplace storiesshift at my local hospital. It didnt take me long to figure out that and think to myself, Thats what I want to do when I grow up! I had wanted to be an RN for a reasonI wanted more from my Fast forward to my college years. I was a student at our localcareer. I enrolled in an online LPN-to-ADN program, becoming an university, which features a competitive nursing school. I had anRN about a year and a half after I began the program.excellent GPAbut so did all the other pre-nursing students. AfterAfter a couple years of being an RN, again I realized something applying to the school of nursing, I ripped open my notificationwas missing. I was burned out from floor nursing. I had been a floor letter, and was shocked to find out that I had been placed on thenurse for five years. I was working overtime; I was anxious and dreaded wait list. becoming snappy at home. I needed a change. I started to apply for After several tears were shed, I quickly put a new plan into place.other positions, but quickly found out that many of the positions I As a student without parental financial backing, I didnt want to waitwas eligible for were direct patient care positions. The positions that another semester to apply again. I enrolled into the LPN program,I was applying forsuch as research, clinical documentation, and ISTOCKand was quickly accepted. supervisory roles, all required a BSN.8 LEADERSHIP GUIDE|2020| www.elitecme.com'