Advice Needed ADN vs BSN currently have a Bachelor's degree

[NicoleNW]

Hello everyone,

I currently have a B.B.A. in Business with a concentration in Management Information Systems, and I have worked as a systems analyst for 2 1/2 years. I have now decided to pursue a degree in nursing. I have been looking at an ADN vs BSN, and I am not sure which program is best. How much more of a difference does it make becoming an RN with an Associates Degree as compared to an RN with a BSN? What are the differences as far as career opportunities and pay scale differientals between ADN and BSN? If I decide to pursue an ADN, will that limit me obtaining a Master's or do I have to have a BSN before I can pursue a Master's degree? I certainly do not want to limit my career path, but I'm not sure if I need to pursue a BSN since I already have a Bachelor's degree. Any advice would be helpful in making my final decision. Thanks!

[prmenrs, RN]

If you get an ADN, you'll be out in the work force faster. But you'll have to get a BSN to do anything more w/your career than direct pt. care. Or to get a masters or more. In most cases, there is o $ advantage @ first. Just more flexibility.

Go to the Universities where you want to go to school, bring your transcripts, and see what you need to do, and how long it will take, how much it will cost, etc. Then you will have enough info to make the best decision for yourself.

Good luck!

[Cmyst]

I have worked as a Clinical Supervisor with only an AAS/ADN degree. A lot of places will accept experience instead of demanding a BSN. There are many accredited programs that will take you straight from ADN to MSN if that's what you want to do, in order to become a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist. Especially with one Bachelor's under your belt already, you've demonstrated that you have a good basic higher education -- which is what the BSN adds to the clinical focus of the ADN.

An entry level RN is an entry level RN. The clinical classes are the same. All RNs are trained to perform at the same beginning clinical level, and all RNs must pass the same exam in order to become licensed.

I am a pragmatist. Life is short. Go for the ADN, start working as an RN, and your employer will likely pay for you to return to school for the BSN. Something else you may want to consider, given your education, would be Nurse Informatics.