Need Advice on BSN or ASN!

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a freshman in the School of Nursing at Purdue University, going for my BSN.

Background info: I want to be a Labor and Delivery nurse. I spent 200 hours working with OB nurses at the hospital I hope to work at, helping them do tons of stuff and watching over 50 births. AMAZING experience, I loved it! I hope to get a job there as a tech this summer. The hospital gave me a huge scholarship.

Catch: If I have my way, I will only work for about 5 years, then be a stay-at-home mom.

Question: Should I transfer to a local small college and get my ASN since I don't want to work my way up in my career and don't want to work my whole life? Would I get hired in the Childbirth Center with just an ASN? Would I make as much money? Would I get done sooner?

Any advice would be great :)

Thanks so much!

Amy

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You are already in a BSN program. Stick with it.

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Are you planning to be a SAHM when you kids go start school? I would stay in the BSN program because you will probably go back to work after the kids start school and you realize how expensive it is to have them in school and other activities.

Since you already started the BSN I wouldn't change to the ASN.

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Realistically, since you've already in a BSN nursing program you wouldn't save much time if any getting into an ADN program. on top of that you said you have a great scholarship, which takes out the financial reason. To me, it is a no brainer to stay the course on your BSN. On top of that, I do believe that, everything being equal, a BSN grad gives you more options than ADN.

Also, although you want to be a stay at home mother in 5 years, you might want to reenter the workforce at some point, even if just part time or PRN. If you go BSN and want to do something afterwards you could go for an advanced degree while being a stay at home mother. IMO, the BSN just gives you a lot more options and in your situation doesn't sound like it has any drawbacks.

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Good advice! Thanks a lot. The only thing is that my dad lost his job so it may save money..I don't know how much since I haven't looked into it a ton. And someone I talked to made it sound like I would graduate in 3 years instead of 4 with ADN, which would be nice because my boyfriend graduates in 3 years. But good point about possibly going back to work..my mom (Purdue nurse, BSN) never went back but that doesn't mean I won't I suppose!

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You may not be accepted for at least another 2 years in a community college program since these are very popular right now with people wanting quick career changes or easy job entry.

Many people would love to be in the position you are in right now with that scholarship.

As for BSN vs ASN, you spend at least a year acquiring the prerequisites for a two year degree. A BSN just makes more sense if you already have started it. Earn the better degree for the time spent and one that will be of benefit for future endeavors.

Nurses are also not immune to the poor economy and you can skim this forum to see that. We have had several RNs laid off in cut backs in some areas. Those who are better prepared and flexible will have more opportunities at surviving the job market.

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If you have a "huge scholarship" it won't save anyone money to switch. If your folks can't help you, take out a loan.

Most likely you cannot start an ADN program today and there might even be a wait list, so switching now might even take longer and will not be shorter.

Just one piece of unsolicited advice. You are young. I know you think you and your boyfriend will get married and live happily ever after, and I hope you do, if that makes you both happy. However, the reality is that things change. I'd say there is a good chance that it might not work out with your boyfriend and/or you are not looking at being a stay at home mom in 5 years. You can always make that decision at the time, but right now you should focus on your education and future career.

Sorry to end on a downer note. Not anything about you or your situation, just reality. best of luck

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No I understand what you're saying! I guess you'd just have to know me and my whole situation :) If I switched, I'd do it at the end of this year, so I'd have all my pre stuff done. I have a friend that did this exact thing. And I guess i'm not the normal student because I'm pretty against debt. But we'll see!

p.s. Huge scholarship to me is $2000..that might have been confusing.

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OK, understood about the scholarship. As far as debt goes, it is neither bad nor good, but can be either depending on how it is used. If you want to minimize your debt, work your ass off while you are in school and take on as little loans as possible. Also remember, even today there are loan forgiveness programs out there. If things improve, economically, in the next few years I would not be surprised to see loan forgiveness and signing bonuses come back into popularity.

At any rate, IF, you had ALL your prereqs done AND you got a direct admission into the ADN program with NO waiting, you are only saving yourself a year at the most. Not worth what you are giving up, IMO. BSN isn't the best route for everyone, but for you I think it really does make the most sense.

As an aside, do you currently receive Pell Grants? If your family's expected contribution used to be higher, you might not, but now with your father out of work, you should definitely redo your FAFSA and see if you qualify. It is free money for school if you do.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
I am a freshman in the School of Nursing at Purdue University, going for my BSN.

Background info: I want to be a Labor and Delivery nurse. I spent 200 hours working with OB nurses at the hospital I hope to work at, helping them do tons of stuff and watching over 50 births. AMAZING experience, I loved it! I hope to get a job there as a tech this summer. The hospital gave me a huge scholarship.

Catch: If I have my way, I will only work for about 5 years, then be a stay-at-home mom.

Question: Should I transfer to a local small college and get my ASN since I don't want to work my way up in my career and don't want to work my whole life? Would I get hired in the Childbirth Center with just an ASN? Would I make as much money? Would I get done sooner?

Any advice would be great :)

Thanks so much!

Amy

I firmly believe in a BSN...however, I choose to get my ADN so I could be working while I got my BSN.

It worked out to the same number of years at the schools near me.

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If you get the associates degree you'll regret when you get older.

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Speaking as someone who is currently a stay at home mom/nursing student :) I say stay in the BSN program! If you need more help financially visit your financial aid office, they will be able to point you in the direction of more money without loans. The economy has hit our family hard, and I truly wish I would have stuck with school in years past to complete what I needed to complete. You just never know what may happen, even if the best is yet to come with you and your boyfriend, tragedy can strike at any moment. If you already have your BSN you will be able to work until children come into the picture (which could honestly take years after marriage due to many reasons) and earn much needed experience. If for some reason your then husband cannot work, you will have that to fall back on. You will be protecting you and your future family in the long run. And while being a SAHM you can always take continuing education classes, or work on a Master's! :)

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