Bachelors vs. Associate

U.S.A. Minnesota

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I'm wondering what peoples opinions are regarding a Bachelors or Associates Degree in Nursing. I'm having a hard time deciding wether I want to go to NHCC for ADN or SCSU for BSN. My hubby works at SCSU so I would get a discount on tuition. I hear that the competition into both programs is pretty intense, but I figured if it is going to take me 3 years to get an Associates, why not go for 1 more year to get my Bachelors (assuming I get in on the first try). Oh, I'm confused.....

T So much to think of...

You are right - there is SO much to think about. But that said - congrats to you for thinking about the best way to embark on this wonderful, roller coaster adventure of nursing.

My children are teens, so it wasn't as stressful for me to find time to study. And I know several young mothers in my ADN program who have successfully studied with toddlers and infants at home. I wouldn't say it was easy for them, but they survived and accomplished their goal, to the benefit of their family. In fact, I listened to a panel of recent grads speak and one was a Mom of 4 little ones under the age of 5. She attended school f/t and admitted to locking the bedroom door and putting cotton in her ears when it was time for her to study (someone else was, of course, watching the kids when she did this). Was it tough? You betcha. Was it worth it? According to everyone I have spoken with - undoubtedly.

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Thanks for the encouragement rotteluvr31! I will have to lock the kids out I'm sure. lol

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

When I started nursing school, I had 4 kids with the yougest being 4 months.... and newly divorcedsingle mom to boot. A lot of late nights and early mornings to study and write papers but, it was worth it.

As for the route you chooseto get your degree, you need to go with what will work best for your and your family. But, if it is to be working sooner then the Assoc would get you working quicker and you could complete your BSN later.

I am a DON with an Assoc degree and have ADN,BSN,MSN working for me. I don't care about their degree as long as they are a good nurse. Let your dreams carry you where ever they go.

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Go for the bachelors degree. It will open up more doors for you in the future. You will regret it later if you choose the ADN program, because it is hard to get motivated to start school all over again. Bachelor degrees are professional while Associate degrees are technical, 4 years vs 2 years of education. ADN nurses want to be called professional nurses but to do that they need to go back to school. Why should a ADN nurse be classified the same as a BSN nurse? We do not classify CNAs the same as LPNs or LPNs the same as RNs and we should not classify ADN nurses as being the same as BSN nurses.:yeah:

As an AD prepared nurse, I have managed to get hired TWICE in the past year at hospitals for positions that stated "BSN preferred" in the posting. Looks like I didn't need a BSN to open any doors for me. And as someone else mentioned, we sit for the exact same boards so why not classify us the same? :twocents:

To the OP, in your situation, I believe it would be financially beneficial for you to go to SCSU for your degree. I am currently enrolled in a RN-BSN program that will take me about a year and a half to complete, (no lack of motivation here)! Good luck to you!!;)

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Good luck with whatever program(s) you get into and choose to attend! Either are great options and personally I would take the offer of 16 credits for free each year...wow that is great!! Especially right now with places cutting tuition reimbursement left and right.

FYI if you choose North Hennepin they do offer a St. Cloud clinical option (attend classes at NHCC, but clinicals at St. Cloud Hospital). So that would also get your foot in the door if you want to work at SCH.

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What you could do is go for the ADN. After you complete that, you could go to the "discounted" university where your husband works, for completion of your BSN. You could the best of both, working right away and dicount for BSN.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, med-surg, post-partum, MH.

Whether you choose ADN or BSN, if your goal is to work in maternity/NICU I would highly suggest getting a position in the department as a CNA so you can develop the skills, as well as a relationship with the manager, to move into a nursing position when you graduate.

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I would say to go for your BSN and here is why:

Mayo Clinic in Rochester is requiring a BSN for new hires effective immediately, Fairview hospitals has been asking RN hires who have only an associates to sign a contract stating they will go back for their BSN. There are now associates degrees being offered in practical nursing so in my opinion they are attempting to more up the gap that has long been there in the years of schooling vs pay in nursing. They are now in talks (in MN) to grandfather NP's in as physicians in certain fields as well. The starting pay is very similar (around .50-1.00 difference) but a lot of employers will not hire nurse managers w/out their BSN.

I also work at the University of MN Fairview NICU and my nurse manager will ONLY look at applicants with their BSN, while it does not offer any more nursing skills so to speak it does give you better critical thinking skills.

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