ADN or BSN? help!

Q. · Apr 23, 2002

My advice is before you decide which degree to persue, you have to ask yourself why do you want the degree and what do you plan to do with it..today? Tomorrow? 5 years from now? Scan the jobs available and see what appeals to you. See what they require. Alot of jobs I thought I could do required a MSN - hence, my decision.

Once that decision is made, don't change it simply because of scheduling or the thought that MAYBE the school doesn't offer part-time classes. Make your decision - ADN or BSN - then take that route. Investigate schools and their programs, you'd be surprised at what you'll find. You'd also be surprised at how flexible your employer might be as well.

As far as student loans, I personally haven't had ANY trouble obtaining a Stafford Loan. They usually hand those out like candy - the terms aren't always the best - one might be subsidized (the government pays the interest) and one might not be - but heck, it's still a loan at a pretty competitive interest rate.

My personal advice is to obtain the BSN. Why? I've seen alot of ADN's feel regret because it's now been years and their career interests have changed, and some feel like had they gone for the BSN in the first place it would save them time in the long run. Not to say that ADNs are useless! But that their career paths changed and a BSN became a necessity. Also, should you ever want to leave nursing, a BSN is still a Bachelor's degree that opens doors to other career paths, like research, insurance, business, etc. My husband has a BSN and it allowed him entry into a very good management position at a highly respected firm in our city. He's not a nurse, but has the "a degree" that the company required.

That is my advice.

suki616 · Apr 23, 2002

thanks for the speedy reply Susy.

Here's another thing. I already have a BA in another field so I'm not worried a change in careers since that is what I am presently doing.

I have found there are programs out there that could get you an accelerated BSN in less than 2 yrs maybe.

I really wish I could go to school full time. but I need to work to pay for school. haha! I'm going to go to my financial aid office and see what they can do. Right now I have a deferred loand from my previous college. You would think I could just add new expenses on but not it's not that easy grasshopper. :)

mattsmom81 · Apr 23, 2002

Suki, you may want to check on tuition reimbursements at area hospital facilities...I have many coworkers who got the ADN first, found a good job, and let their facility assist with tuition costs to return for their BSN while they were working. Good luck to you whatever you decide!

Jenny P · Apr 23, 2002

Suki, I graduated from a 3 year diploma nursing school 33 years ago and have always wanted to go back to get my BSN; but LIFE has thrown some curve balls at me and I still don't have it yet. I'm working on it now, though, so hope that I have it within the next 2 years. Susy has given you some good advice: think about where you want to be in the future and what you'd like to be doing as an RN in the future. There is no difference on the floors between what an ADN and a BSN do as staff nurses; there IS a difference in how they process their thinking-- I believe that the BSN usually has more info on what and why is happening whereas the ADN has more info on what to do when things happen(this is immediately out of school, but depending on the different programs, the BSN usually has the ability to research things more thoroughly).

Not having a BSN hasn't hindered me in what I have done professionally up to this point of my life; but I worry that I won't physically be able to do what I'm doing (I work in CV-ICU, nights by choice due to family necessity) much longer. I have taught classes to my peers, am a CCRN, and have been active in my Nursing Association and am a member of AACN also; been on task forces for my state nursing association, been a member and chair of our state pratice commission, etc., etc., etc. I am currently in the process of writing an article for a professional journal. I know the my article would be better accepted with the initials "BSN" after my name, but my vitae (sp?) will help.

I know it isn't easy to go to school and work too, I did it back when I first went to school; but it is even harder to do with family responsibilities etc. Nobody promised that life would be easy, but it's up to you to decide if this is something that you really want. Good luck. :)

BioRN · Apr 24, 2002

If you already have a BA or BS and you become an RN through an ADN program, you may be able to go for your MSN at a few universities in the U.S. in the future. These are called bridge programs. I have also heard that BSN only make a maximum of $1/ hour more than ADN RN's. If I am mistaken about these statements, please let me know. I have a degree in Biology and I have been accepted into a BSN program for the fall and I am on the waiting list at an ADN program. Based on the information I have discovered regarding bridge program and salary differential, I have decide to go for the ADN program. This is due to financial reasons as well. I have not shut the door to the BSN program, yet just in case I change my mind.

Ortho_RN · Apr 24, 2002

I think you should go for which ever degree YOU want.... I am presently in a ADN program now and I don't think I am missing out on anything.... And besides the hospitals here have programs that you can work on your BSN while you are working and they pay for it.... I would go with what is best for you and your life.. If you can't go fulltime and there are NO part-time BSN programs, then go for the ADN.. A RN is a RN...

Good Luck...

:)

suki616 · Apr 24, 2002

Oh thank you so much everyone! I really feel encouragement from everyone. And you are absolutely right. I have to go for what is best for me and what fits my lifestyle.

One thousand Thanks!! :)

Trauma Columnist · Apr 24, 2002

I'm an ADN grad, did the LPN to RN bridge thing. At this point in my life, I can't go back to school. There is one other thing to consider too. If you have to work full-time as an RN to get your BSN, forget it. We have so much OT we have to work, it's not possible. If I had to do it over again, maybe I would pursue a BSN.