[drummergirl01]

I am a high school student and am trying to see what would be the best degree type for a nursing career. I've heard that there is not really a difference in having a assoiciates degree other than a bachelors degree. I was wondering what are the advantages and disadvantages of getting an associates degree and what would be a better decision.

If you could help me that would be great

Thanks

[jesussaves]

i am an rn with an associates degree, and in my opinion it would be best to go straight for the bsn. after a year of pre-requisites and 2 years of core classes, you've already done 3 years. you might as well stick in for another year and get the next degree. plus, at the college i went to, there was a year to wait to get into the nursing program, so i did 4 years anyway. (i used that year to get an AA degree). i would have had more career opportunities if I had just done the bsn from the start. hope this helps.

[shrimpchips]

If you plan on getting your BSN (especially if you want to further your education by obtaining your MSN), then just go for your BSN and forget about the ADN. ADNs are generally offered at community colleges and they are 2-year degrees. Now that might seem great because you're probably thinking "I can get a nursing degree in 2 years, SWEET!" but that isn't always the case. Community colleges tend to have ridiculously long waiting lists for their ADN programs and most of the time they go by your spot on the list instead of GPA. My local community college has a waiting list of at least 3 years. A BSN (4-years) is generally obtained by attending a university. Their waiting lists tend to be by GPA and are very competitive but there are also some schools that offer a BSN degree that don't have a waiting list. http://www.discovernursing.com/nursing-program-search can help you find a school that offers a nursing degree near you and http://www.discovernursing.com/nursi...-waiting-lists is a list of universities with programs that do not have a waiting list.

I hope this helps and good luck!

[paacollins]

If I were younger and didn't already have a BS in another discipline I would have gone for my BSN rather than the ADN. Because I was 42 when I started nursing school and already have a BS, I did the ADN route. I eventually plan to get a MPH (masters in public health) and don't need a BSN to do that.

Since you are so young, you never know where life will take you. You might decide to pursure an advanced nursing degree, such as an MSN, and you will need a BSN degree first. Plus, by getting the BSN, you will get all your undergraduate college classes completed. If you decide later on to pursue ANY masters degree, you will need your basic undergrad classes such as math and english completed before pursuring a masters.

Just my opinion but that is the advice I would give my own daughters should they decide to pursue nursing.

[collegestudent2]

yea basically if you want to advance ur career, just go for the BSN...it's worth it cuz by the time you get all the pre-reqs done and the general requirements done, u will already have 3 years done...so rather than doing that just put in the 4 years and know that it's worth it.

[Giant Panda]

Great replies. I'm on the verge of taking my prerequisites this fall to earn my ADN, with the impression that I had to have my ADN before I could work towards a BSN. So, this is great information to know.

One of you earlier said that the BSN program waiting lists at universities are based off GPAs rather then where you are on that list. How far back do they look at? I had a rough first couple semesters at my local community college (wrestling two jobs, lectures, and homework). I didn't do to tell. After about a year off from school, I've re-enrolled and my grades are more impressive. Will this hurt me in the long run? Keep in mind, that I haven't taken my prerequisite courses yet, but I plan on working hard and passing them with respectable grades.