Hi all. First off, I am not getting into what may or may not be better... BSN, ADN, etc. I just have a question pertaining to ME in my personal situation that I was hoping some of you may help shed some light on....

I am in a BSN program I am not satisified with and it's costing a FORTUNE. There are many reasons the program is less then desirable, and no I am not bailing out 'cause I am failing... just the opposite.. I am one of the VERY FEW passing.

I have considered going to a diploma prgram that has a great rep., they will pay for my schooling, help place me in a job and cost me maybe $20,000 to go versus $80,000 at the BSN school.

Here is my question: I already have a degree in Pre Med and Broadcasting. Say I go to the diploma program. I understand that the BSN opens more doors and you can "move up" in management spots faster and so forth. Since I already have one degree and will then have the nursing diploma... can I move up in nursing with the degree I already have and my new nursing diploma OR is it pretty much set that the actual BSN degree is the ticket to move ahead??

Thanks for the input.... E

Do you see yourself going into Advanced Practice Nursing?

You said something about management, but to my understanding you can only go so far up management without having at least a BSN, not sure on this though.

You could get your MBA (part time while you get experience) and that would help you move up management. I am not sure if more school is in your future though. An MBA would only take you about 2 years if you went full time.

There is a Clinical Nurse Leader Program. You can have a bachelors in anything as long as you have your RN.

How much longer do you have to go in your current program? If I were you I would try and stick it out. Especially since you are one of the few who are doing well in the program. I think it would be a pain to transfer, and won't you have to wait another semester? In the end you need to lay out your options. Where do you want to be in 5 years, 10 years, etc. What will you need to get there? What are your goals ie. work hours, responsibilities, work environment, etc. In the end it is your decision.

It is a hard decision. Is there an RN to BSN option for you that may be cheaper?

The diploma may be harder to expand on later if you decide to go for the BSN. Management positions at the hospital I work at cite a BSN is required.

Another thing to consider is if states will eventually move for a BSN to be an RN. Not starting a debate here. I know one of the students graduating with me in May is wanting to move with her family to Colorado and she was advised that she will not be able to work in Colorado with her ADN as a RN, she will have to have a BSN.

Good luck with you on your decision. 80000 does seem high.

I'm kind of in the same situation... I have a BS in another field and I am going for my ADN.... I'm not interested (at least not right now) in management. I'm thinking if I would like to advance further down the road, my ADN to BSN would be the way to do it. My BS may look good on paper but I don't think it's going to help me out much as far as moving up in the field of nursing...

I could be wrong though.... I don't know....

The actual nursing BSN really depends on the state, institution or facility. Many advanced practice programs desire a person to have a BSN versus non-nursing degree, however others are flexible if you have a strong science background with a degree that supports that...ie Biology, Chemistry and the like.

As far as nurse management, facilities can do WHATEVER they want. There have been in some instances, nurse managers with only an diploma working a management position.

It really depends on the facility, your personal marketing, and/or state.

Hi all. First off, I am not getting into what may or may not be better... BSN, ADN, etc. I just have a question pertaining to ME in my personal situation that I was hoping some of you may help shed some light on....

I am in a BSN program I am not satisified with and it's costing a FORTUNE. There are many reasons the program is less then desirable, and no I am not bailing out 'cause I am failing... just the opposite.. I am one of the VERY FEW passing.

I have considered going to a diploma prgram that has a great rep., they will pay for my schooling, help place me in a job and cost me maybe $20,000 to go versus $80,000 at the BSN school.

Here is my question: I already have a degree in Pre Med and Broadcasting. Say I go to the diploma program. I understand that the BSN opens more doors and you can "move up" in management spots faster and so forth. Since I already have one degree and will then have the nursing diploma... can I move up in nursing with the degree I already have and my new nursing diploma OR is it pretty much set that the actual BSN degree is the ticket to move ahead??

Thanks for the input.... E

I think that if you are under 50 you should stay in the BSN program. The BSN may not seem that useful by today's standards but things do change. I refuse to be drawn into the ADN vs. BSN debate so if anyone disagrees with me, fine, I agree to disagree.

My thinking is that we really don't know what is going to happen in the future. What if the BSN does eventually become the minimum requirement to work as a nurse? I was a teacher in NYC for a while and there was a huge shortage and no one ever believed that the dept of education would require teachers to obtain their Master's degrees within five years of starting out as teachers or lose their jobs but it happened.

80k is a whole lot of money but if you are in your 20s or 30s and plan to work for many more years as a nurse I say get it over and done with now. College tuition goes up and who knows what it may cost you in the future to return to school to get a BSN? Also, I tend to think that time is just as valuable as money. Why go to school graduate from diploma school and then have to return to school in the future when you can do it now and be done with it?

Why go to school graduate from diploma school and then have to return to school in the future when you can do it now and be done with it?

Because it wont come out of your pocket.

Wow 80K IS a lot of money. It depends on how much more you have left. If you have 1 year left, i'd just stay. But if you are starting out, or if the completion of an ADN program would be PRIOR to your current graduation date, i would make the change.

You have 2 things going for you: 1) most hospitals will PAY for you to go back to school to complete your BSN/Masters. and 2) if you already hold a degree, then your liberal arts and science credits will probably just transfer over (when you enroll in a BSN program), and this will make the quest from an ADN to BSN much shorter than most of those who only hold an ADN. All that you will need to take is the classes you need to complete the actual nursing portion of it...makes sense?

Thread moved to most appropriate forum. Enjoy!

Hi all. I THANK YOU very much for all the insight.

The other degree I have is in Pre Med and Broadcasting. I wanted to go up either in management, research, etc. The BSN is the way for me HOWEVER, the school I am at is the pits. Brief explanation.... worst NCLEX pass rate in state (49 percent pass rate), cost is WAY high $80,000, the teachers do not help and ignore students most of the time (most of the students are failing and a student asked the teacher after a test last Friday where 87 people failed and only THREE passed what they can do to improve and she ignored the student, rolled her eyes and smiled...no joke here.. several students just got up and walked out- this is typical), it is very unorganized, and word is out they may lose their accreditation in 2 years, etc. I am not trying to complain, just stating facts. I was an honor student in my first degree and Pre Med was no day in the park. I work hard and can hold my own. I am holding on, but barely. There are only a handful of students passing. It's terrible.

SO... the diploma program will cost MUCH LESS and they will even pay for me to go. I will get placed in a job when I get out AND the BIG deal to me is pass rate is 100 percent on the FIRST attempt. That is a big deal. I have already called a local university in the area who has a great nursing school rep. and I can take their BSN/MSN program on-line once I graduate with the diploma. I can work as an RN at the same time. I have heard too that the BSN may become a requirement and I want to do research, etc. so I know the degree will help me get there. I am not stopping at the diploma, but feel that a great eduation is very important. This is not a game. Peoples lives depend on me and my license depends on it. I have always worked hard and I do not settle for less. No, we are not perfect, but I want a fair shot and a school that will TEACH me the concepts and practicum of nursing. I want to be a PREPARED nurse and receive a through education. I want to know what I am doing. I am going to apply to the diploma program this week. I have to do the smart thing and this is the smart thing to do. Life is a journey and this is a step on the road. I can do the BSN/MS on-line and boom.... I am there.

Wish me luck!!! Epona

SO... the diploma program will cost MUCH LESS and they will even pay for me to go. I will get placed in a job when I get out AND the BIG deal to me is pass rate is 100 percent on the FIRST attempt. That is a big deal. I have already called a local university in the area who has a great nursing school rep. and I can take their BSN/MSN program on-line once I graduate with the diploma. I can work as an RN at the same time. I have heard too that the BSN may become a requirement and I want to do research, etc. so I know the degree will help me get there. I am not stopping at the diploma, but feel that a great eduation is very important. This is not a game. Peoples lives depend on me and my license depends on it. I have always worked hard and I do not settle for less. No, we are not perfect, but I want a fair shot and a school that will TEACH me the concepts and practicum of nursing. I want to be a PREPARED nurse and receive a through education. I want to know what I am doing. I am going to apply to the diploma program this week. I have to do the smart thing and this is the smart thing to do. Life is a journey and this is a step on the road. I can do the BSN/MS on-line and boom.... I am there.

Wish me luck!!! Epona

Sounds like you know what you need to do! The school you are at can treat its students like that BECAUSE it costs so much... I am attending a 2 yr community college (4 yr program by the time I'm done LOL) and it has been GREAT! so far! The instructors are very helpful and they are really interested in getting to know us and making sure we are learning the material. My physiology teacher knows ALL of our names... there are 70 students in the class!

So I'm very happy where I'm at right now! I'm sure you will be too with a change!

I wish you luck!!!

Jennifer

My two cents on the subject?

Go for the Diploma and then you can have your employer pay for the additional schooling as you want or need it, and it will not be out of your pocket.

Go for what your gut is telling you to do. I have a Diploma in Nursing and an MBA, as well as a BS, and it has never stopped what I have wanted to do in any way, shape, or form.

Best of luck to you.:balloons:

That was very uplifting and encouraging. I thank you all.

I am applying to the diploma program this week! Off I go!!!!!! :rotfl:

I was going to encourage you to do that. Good luck to you.

You can always go RN to BSN, as was mentioned above your employer will help pay for it, if that's an option you want for the future.