BSN private college or ADN community college?

[pochacco1211]

I know it might be an old topic for many of you, but I am having a hard time deciding which program is better for me and hope to get some advices.

I am currently a BSN student at a private university and will be starting my clinical rotation this coming fall semester. Since I wasn't sure if the school would have a spot for me to start clinical in the fall, I applied to a couple of ADN programs at local community colleges just in case I had to wait longer.

Recently, I received an acceptance letter from one of the ADN programs I applied for. I was supposed to be excited because now I have a chance not to pay for ridiculous tuition, but the question came out: Should I stick with the BSN program where I am with now, which I am paying a very expensive tuition but I will get my BSN in 5 semesters? Or should I switch to the ADN program, which I will pay very little compared to what I am paying now and be graduating in 4 semesters?

I spoke to a retired nurse for advice, and he said I should stick with the BSN program. Although it's expensive, I will earn a BSN degree, which I don't have to worry about going back to school later on if the job market is preferred BSN as a minimum entry over ADN in the near future. He said the job market is not hot anymore due to the economic crisis, and some of the hospitals have freeze their hiring process, so for a new graduate with a BSN degree might have some advantage over a new graduate with an ADN.

Is this truly happening? My concern is I don't want to waste my time and energy, and end up being unable to get a job if I chose to attend the ADN program. On the other hand, I don't want to graduate with tons of debts if I have an option. $60K is a lot to many of us, and I want to make sure if it's worthy. I am 34 year-old and have a bachelor degree in another field. I am not sure if I would still have the energy of going back for a higher degree if the ADN will be eventually phase out.

[Prettyladie]

my opinion is this. i applied to a private university and public ones, and a public adn.. an RN is an RN. if there is even a pay difference its like .50-1.00 so you can either spend more time and pay a hell of a lot of money..or you can spend less time and pay less money. the thing is you need to decided do you really want your bachelors right now. if you think that you would be able to go back after the RN and you have enough time to do that..then do it like that and save money.. but if you want your bachelors now and you want to be done with school..then stay where you are.

[Prettyladie]

woahh i just read the last line again.. you already have a BA. why didnt you do an accelerated program that takes a year..and you'd have your BSN

[pochacco1211]

I thought about the accelerated program, but there are not many in my area, and I heard many negative feedback about the accelerated program (the local one). Plus, I want to gain more hand-on practice as possible and don't want to rush out and end up didn't learn much when I got out of school. Thanks for your info!

[Prettyladie]

i think accelerated programs are great. and im sure you will get more experience because it is a shortened amount of time. what area are you located in. what state? there are a bunch in my state. but dont worry about experience because im sure in any program you will have ample amount to help you succeed as a nurse.

[pochacco1211]

I am in San Francisco, CA. It was just confused me that even a faculty member from the ADN program would have the same concern about the "phase out" issue when my friend talked to him about my situation.

[Prettyladie]

what do you mean phase out?

[pochacco1211]

To make the BSN as the minimum entry or preferring BSN than ADN when comes to hiring in a down market.

[Prettyladie]

ohhhh! i havent heard that! when is this supposed to go in effect

[Quienes]

I've been trying to decide the same thing, should I start an ADN or BSN program. I've been accepted into an ADN program but am still tempted to try the 12 month accelerated BSN. To do that I would need to re-take my A&P because it's expired (past 5 yrs) and wait to be accepted possibly missing my oppertunity at the Community College. The other con of the BSN is that it's $50K and I'm not sure we want to invest that much. We have a family and I only plan to work part-time, so it would take a few years at least to make the $50K plus interest back. My other thought is that the community college program will be easier. I'm afraid to ask that on the post but doesn't it make sense that it would be a bit less competitive.

[nurseg09]

Hi pochacco1211,

Sadly, many hospitals do prefer BSNs over ADNs... I personally prefer the BSN route. I mean you can always go the ADN route and go back to school later for your BSN. I was also wondering why you didn't go for the ABSN route considering you already have a bachelors. But here's the thing you should probably consider: would you receive enough financial aid to afford the private school?, do you have other financial obligations (such as family/children), school reputation, and school NCLEX pass rate.

The nursing school I recently graduated from was in the Bay Area. I know how heartbreaking it is to see the tuition cost at a private school because my school was private. But do what you feel is right. Good luck!

[Wabi Sabi, BSN, RN]

I would not pay $50-$60K just to get a BSN. That is way too much money for me. Plus, you can always get a BSN later on. There's no way I would want to be in that much debt. It's scary, considering the current economy.