Second degree - ADN or BSN?

[avcampbell02]

Hello,

I am 36 years old with a degree in Business and want to change careers to nursing. I have the pre-req's out of the way and I have been accepted to Indiana University of PA's 2nd degree program (BSN) and Butler County Community College's (ADN). I can get through both programs in 2 years, and IUP is about twice as expensive but comes out with the higher degree. Has anyone attended either one of these schools? And what would you do? Thanks!

[codeblue222]

I haven't attended either one of those programs, however I am currently in a second degree accelerated program. I guess it depends on your personal goals... if you are ultimately going to go back and get your BSN or a higher degree for nursing I would just do the BSN now. My personal opinion would be to get the higher degree to increase your chances of employment after graduating and set yourself up so that you can go back and master in a field later if you decide.

[avcampbell02]

Thanks for your response. I was leaning toward the BSN route too, but I am a little hesitant just because I will be so much older than the other students, lol. This isn't an accelerated program, it's a second degree program where you basically just take the nursing classes with the regular nursing majors. I know a lot of people who go ADN first and then bridge into a BSN online, but that would probably cost me more $$ in the long run. How do you like the accelerated program? Were you in the medical field before?

[codeblue222]

I have only been in the program for one week so far... but I like it a lot. I have already made some good friends who will be in the program with me the whole way. I don't know if the dynamics are different because it's an accelerated program but the age range of the students vary greatly. There are a lot of older students who bring a lot of interesting characteristics to the program. The only previous medical experience I have is getting my CNA certificate but I never got a job in the field.

[memolei]

I also have another degree and decided I wanted to be a nurse (neither of the schools you're going to). I chose to go the ADN route due to funding. I knew I wasn't going to be working and simply couldn't afford to go for the entry level BSN or MSN route. The entry level MSN bridge route would have been my first choice if money was of no object. I do plan on getting my masters at some point, but hopefully by then I am able to work part time to pay for my schooling without graduating with additional debt (I'm still paying loans for the first bachelors!).