[Alert&Orientedx0]

Hi all, I'm just curious to know if anyone would ever turn down acceptance to a BSN program for an ADN in order to have your employer pay for your BSN. Ive read that many people's decisions are sometimes based on financial reasons & family obligations. So if you had a choice which would you do & what other reasons would you make your decision besides costs, length of time, & family obligations????? Thanks for any comments

[NYDreamer]

I most certainly would have, but only if it were easier to get into the ADN programs in my area. One reason why I did not go the ADN route was because I did not want to take the chance of taking a year or two of courses at the lower tuition comm colleges, not get into the program, then scramble to find another school to go to. Then let's say I did get in, that is a year of pre reqs, then 2 years of nursing, total of 3 years...the school I will be attending next month will give me a BSN in the same amount of time, 3 years due to my transfer credits. I will be over 100k in debt but with my potential salary, I am not stressing it. OK, I am rambling...my answer is yes, but only if the ADN programs in my area were easier to get into

[jjjoy]

Find out more about the specific programs as well. Maybe one or the other would be a better fit you for one reason or another. For example, one might have more convenient clinical locations at facilities you'd consider working at in the future. Visit the campus and classes if you can, just to get a feel for the environment and the student population.

Also, some programs have good or poor reputations in regard to the readiness of their graduates to work as nurses in certain roles. If you can find local nurses to talk to, that might help. Consider contacting a couple of hospital nurse managers and asking their opinions on local programs during an informational interview.

[cardiacRN2006]

My employer paid for my ADN, and will pay for the BSN as well. Pick which program suits you and meets your needs.

[arciedee]

To add to what others have said, make sure you know what the hospitals' policies are regarding tuition reimbursement in your area. It's not a given that they will pay for your additional education. I know the ones in my area have tuition reimbursement but it is definitely not enough to cover the cost of the RN-to-BSN programs unless you only take your classes one at a time. Other hospitals, however, have much better policies. You just want to know what you'll be up against.

[DutchgirlRN]

Yes. There's no difference in the pay. If you're looking to eventually get into management you'll need your BSN.

[Tweety]

No if I had the opportunity to get an BSN I would have gotten a BSN and not found myself 15 years wanting it. I would have gotten it out of the way. The BSN would have been only another year, since the ADN usually takes three years. There was no BSN program in my town so that wasn't a choice. I have no regrets.

Also note not all hospitals pay for a BSN. Most have a cap on their tuition reimbursement that may or may not cover 100% of tuition and books.

But as people say, the entry level positions and pay are equal. So going the RN to BSN route is a perfectly fine way to go. Especially since ADNs are cheaper and quicker.

[caliotter3]

The ramifications of having an employer responsible for paying for any of your education can be quite daunting should an unforeseen circumstance come up that prevents you from completing your end of the bargain. The possibility of the job not being a good situation is always there. You're stuck. I had a situation like this one time and had to pay the price. I was not happy. I would advise anyone to find out as much as possible beforehand and make their decision accordingly. As far as being faced with acceptances at both BSN and ASN programs, if at all possible, I would, if I were doing it again, choose the BSN program and get it over with.

[jjjoy]

Originally Posted by caliotter3

As far as being faced with acceptances at both BSN and ASN programs, if at all possible, I would, if I were doing it again, choose the BSN program and get it over with.

That's assuming all other things equal.

Some programs are very much "hands off", not giving much support to student or lectures tend to be the instructor reading from the text, so the students pretty much teach themselves. Other programs offer more support (tutorials, extra practice tests, etc) or are known for having great instructors. For some, that wouldn't make a difference, but for others that might make the difference between successful completion of the program or having to repeat coursework - and perhaps getting discouraged and giving up.

Some programs include just the minimum of clinical time, high instructor to student ratios and clinical instructors who haven't practiced in the "real world" for a long time. Other programs offer more than the minimum and have a good reputation for preparing students for the "real world." For some, that wouldn't make a difference, but for others, that might make the difference in making the difficult transition to practicing nursing as opposed to feeling hopelessly ill-prepared and giving up.

[AmandaRN2be]

I turned down my acceptance to a BSN program for an ASN program. I had several reasons. I already have a BS in another field, but the accelerated programs are not practical for me since I MUST work at least part-time (no I don't have children, but I do have bills). I plan to go back and get my BSN afterwards, but I want the hospital I'm working for to pay for at least part of it.

I picked the ASN program in my area for the following reasons:
- It's NCLEX pass rate was actually higher than the BSN program I applied to (I know this isn't always the case, but for me it was.)
- The ADN program is closer to home and all of the good BSN programs near me are in the city (paying for parking everyday AND dealing with traffic...not for me!)
- It's going to cost me one years worth of BSN tuition for my whole nursing program (including books and uniforms)!

I could go on...there is always a value in continuing your education, but for me I just want to get in there and be a nurse (and get out of the business world)...then I'll continue my education. Not to mention I'm still paying student loans from my last degree.