Should I get my RN or BSN? What if I already have a Bachelor's degree?

imagenthings · Nov 15, 2010

Go for the BSN if grad school is your next step. I will tell you something that I saw at a recent job fair. With my own two eyes I saw 6 of the "major hospitals" in NY hand back resumes to the nurses looking for work that had ADN's.

I know many hospitals are moving towand BSN and was even told this at an interview I had a few months ago, but I was still shocked. I thought it was rude, but at the same time at least the recruiters were honest.

The final choice is yours based on you pro/cons list. my :twocents: .

31dunn · Nov 16, 2010

Thank you everyone for your input! It is greatly appreciated. With so much information out there, it is nice to have advice from nurses. I will most likely continue to pursue my initial plan of obtaining an acellerated BSN.

Thanks again!! It means a lot!

efda3 · Nov 17, 2010

Go for the BSN if grad school is your next step. I will tell you something that I saw at a recent job fair. With my own two eyes I saw 6 of the "major hospitals" in NY hand back resumes to the nurses looking for work that had ADN's.
I know many hospitals are moving towand BSN and was even told this at an interview I had a few months ago, but I was still shocked. I thought it was rude, but at the same time at least the recruiters were honest.
The final choice is yours based on you pro/cons list. my .

It's unfortunate, but they are handing back resumes to those with their BSN now. There are NPs who cannot even find work.

To the OP: If you already have work, I honestly do not encourage you to go into further debt in the midst of our economic crisis. BSNs seriously do not have it any better. I have a ton of BSN friends who cannot even land a job right now....probably gives them an edge, but again, if you have a job already--don't worry about it.

Vanesia · Mar 3, 2011

There are many programs out there for ADN RN with a bachelors in another field to get their masters in nursing without having a BSN. You may have to take at least 3 additional classes but you don't have to have a BSN. I've found several schools during my search but I have decided to pursure a BSN in nursing as well. I could go strait to MSN but because of the school I want to get my masters with I have to get my bachlelors. I found a school that I could get my masters in midwifery without a BSN but the other programs offers a dual major and it is shorter. That is the only reason I am considering a BSN!

Nickita · May 31, 2011

I am interested in changing careers. i have a BA in another field but want to work in nursing or healthcare administration. Do I have to get an RN certificate before I could get a MSN or could I just start from an accelerated program?

ShayRN · May 31, 2011

Good luck with whatever you decide. I just want to point out one thing...No matter what route you choose, you will be an RN. Whether you decide Diploma, Associate, Bachelor or Masters program, the end result is RN.

iPink, BSN, RN · May 31, 2011

I am interested in changing careers. i have a BA in another field but want to work in nursing or healthcare administration. Do I have to get an RN certificate before I could get a MSN or could I just start from an accelerated program?

Having an MSN/BSN/ADN are degrees and not licenses. Having an RN means you are licensed to practice. You have several options on what you want to do. I have my B.A. as well and decided to take the accelerated BSN route. Other career changes have decided to take the ADN route.

You also have the option to go into an entry-level MSN program. This is offered to those with a non-nursing degree. But, this route is more expensive, including if you decided to take the ABSN route. This is why people have decided to obtain their ADN first.

Start looking for ABSN/ADN/EL-MSN programs in your area and start comparing prerequisites needed, length of program, as well as cost so it could give you a better idea on which road you want to take.

eramirez · Jul 18, 2012

Here is my dilemma... I initially began my freshmen year of undergrad as a Biology major and actually took the majority of the nursing prereqs (English, Math, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology) already at my University. However, the only prereqs that I did not take since I switched to Psychology major my junior year are Anatomy I & II and Physiology. Since I already have University credits for the majority of the nursing prereqs and want to apply to Truman's RN nursing program in Chicago, do I still need to get an ADN if all I need to complete are these final 2 prereqs? Can I apply to the RN nursing program with just a BA in Psych and not an ADN? I figured I could because some go to nursing school with an ADN and no Bachelor's. I'm now a senior and will graduate in May 2013; I will be taking the Anatomy and Physio. in the summer 2013 (after graduating) at Truman/Daley community college. I'm also unsure how community colleges work they state that you have to complete the nursing prereqs there but I already have University credit for most of them. So will they award me an ADN regardless if I take the final 2 pre-reqs there? Also, will I make a more competitive applicant for nursing school if I completed a Bachelor's degree and most of the nursing prereqs at the University instead of community college (except for Anatomy and Physio)?

Thinking ahead...Once I complete the RN program I was thinking of working for 1 yr or so while saving up for my MSN. I figured since I already have a Bachelor's I can bypass the BSN and go straight to an MSN program with my RN degree and Bachelor's in Pysch., is this possible? Is this a good idea? I would not be able to afford a BSN since it will take 4 yrs and MSN is 2 yrs or shorter so I figured it would be more cost-effective to work during and after graduating nursing school and save up for the 2yrs of MSN vs. 4yrs of BSN. Idk. Eventually I'd like to become a Nurse Practitioner but one thing at a time. HAS ANYONE BEEN IN A SIMILAR SITUATION? PLEASE HELP! WHATEVER ADVICE YOU HAVE WOULD BE GREAT, THANKS. :)

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2012

Here is my dilemma... I initially began my freshmen year of undergrad as a Biology major and actually took the majority of the nursing prereqs (English, Math, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology) already at my University. However, the only prereqs that I did not take since I switched to Psychology major my junior year are Anatomy I & II and Physiology. Since I already have University credits for the majority of the nursing prereqs and want to apply to Truman's RN nursing program in Chicago, do I still need to get an ADN if all I need to complete are these final 2 prereqs? Can I apply to the RN nursing program with just a BA in Psych and not an ADN? I figured I could because some go to nursing school with an ADN and no Bachelor's. I'm now a senior and will graduate in May 2013; I will be taking the Anatomy and Physio. in the summer 2013 (after graduating) at Truman/Daley community college. I'm also unsure how community colleges work they state that you have to complete the nursing prereqs there but I already have University credit for most of them. So will they award me an ADN regardless if I take the final 2 pre-reqs there? Also, will I make a more competitive applicant for nursing school if I completed a Bachelor's degree and most of the nursing prereqs at the University instead of community college (except for Anatomy and Physio)? Thinking ahead...Once I complete the RN program I was thinking of working for 1 yr or so while saving up for my MSN. I figured since I already have a Bachelor's I can bypass the BSN and go straight to an MSN program with my RN degree and Bachelor's in Pysch., is this possible? Is this a good idea? I would not be able to afford a BSN since it will take 4 yrs and MSN is 2 yrs or shorter so I figured it would be more cost-effective to work during and after graduating nursing school and save up for the 2yrs of MSN vs. 4yrs of BSN. Idk. Eventually I'd like to become a Nurse Practitioner but one thing at a time. HAS ANYONE BEEN IN A SIMILAR SITUATION? PLEASE HELP! WHATEVER ADVICE YOU HAVE WOULD BE GREAT, THANKS. :)

Once you pass the NCLEX and become an RN, completing a BSN can be done online. It is not another 4 years of school unless you take a super long time doing it. It sounds like you are confusing prelicensure BSN programs with RN to BSN programs. Community colleges should take transfer credit but you need to check with them to see if the classes you took meet the requirements.As far as I know, most MSN programs will require a BSN. Some offer BSN coursework as part of the program prior to taking master's level classes. I think there are schools out there that will allow you to do an MSN with a Bachelors in another subject but I think they are the minority.

kdtink · Sep 21, 2012

There are many programs out there for ADN RN with a bachelors in another field to get their masters in nursing without having a BSN. You may have to take at least 3 additional classes but you don't have to have a BSN. I've found several schools during my search but I have decided to pursure a BSN in nursing as well. I could go strait to MSN but because of the school I want to get my masters with I have to get my bachlelors. I found a school that I could get my masters in midwifery without a BSN but the other programs offers a dual major and it is shorter. That is the only reason I am considering a BSN!

I have been working toward my RN for an eternity. After changing careers and doing one class at a time for a long, looooooong time, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I will have an ADN by May and I already have a BA in an totally unrelated field (which I worked in and loved until the recession cut funding). I have spoken to my advisors over the years and they recommended I take my BA and my ADN and I go right for the MSN since it's the end degree that you usually default to. i.e. You would say "Captain Awesome, RN, MSN" rather than "Captain Awesome, BA, RN, BSN, MSN, LMNOPQ...." This made sense to me and I have been looking in to RN-MSN programs that offer the "bridge" courses that will fill in the gaps between my current BA and a BSN. I am still researching this idea though and I thank you all for your help with the information on this thread.

danielle9824 · Jan 1, 2013

Hi, everyone.. I have a few questions about a couple different things. #1: I am a dental hygienist with my Bachelors. I was sooo close to getting my MSW - and reality and the pay smacked me in the face .... and as much as I have a phobia of puke - I have a lot of contacts in the medical profession; D.O.'s, Fellows, internists, nurses, etc. all encouraging me and telling me to go for it. I LOVE helping and caring for people and maybe watching a few puke videos to desensitize me to that will help lol... I don't want to let that stop me. ANYWAYS - My concern is this.... an NP of a community college told me that if I ahve my Bachelor's already, to NOT do a 2 year associate nursing degree and go for the BSN - which from what my (early) research is telling me, is primarily administrative, theory, etc. My Question: I want CLINICAL nursing experience - I do not want to take the easy way and skip the 2 year program (been there, done that, and let me tell you --Dental Hygiene is the WORST & MOST DIFFICULT out of 2 year programs - believe me - total nightmare, find all your own patients on top of everything else, it was a nightmare) and then come out with a BSN thinking I'm a nurse, but not truly, does this make sense?? I read here some BSN programs require you to be a RN first, but not all. Oakland Universities accelerated program in Mi. does not! Then, I don't want an RN who has busted their a** in a 2 year program being more competent than I, clinically, and seeing my lack of clinical experience while out in the field as a BSN, make sense? I do want to be an NP, eventually, and I feel having that clinical experience is what would make me a true nurse. Now, I'm also 32 years old, I have no children - and yes, people, yes - I have $77,000 in combined student loans, fed. and private. #2: If I were to go to the Navy reserves, I was told that they will PAY for my BSN - I do not know yet if I have to be a RN prior to this, but that they will pay for my BSN, give me a $1K living stipend, a $10k sign-on bonus and may pay up to $65k of my existing student debt. Not to mention the awesome government benefits and traveling you get to do. As much as the government owning me for a few years makes me want to hurl (lol), I want to hurl when I think of my loans. I plan on seeing a reserve specialist and will be able to find out more, but if anyone has any advice or suggestions for me, I'd appreciate it. Thanks to all you awesome nurses!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2013

A BSN prepares you to practice as a nurse, just as an associates or diploma program would. As long as you select a good program (and there are good and bad programs at the BSN, ADN, and diploma levels) you'll be prepared to take take the same NCLEX and begun practicing as a novice RN. Now, some areas have a strong hiring preference for nurses with BSNs, and other areas do not. It's a tough market for new grad nurses right now- that's been true for several years now. You need to look in to hiring practices where you plan to work to find out if there's a local preference for one degree (or specific program). Then balance that with time and money constraints. As far as the Navy goes, my understanding is that commissions in the nurse officer program are incredibly competitive right now. I'm not sure if the nurse candidate program is available for reserves so you'd need to speak with a recruiter to be sure.

Edited to add: an accelerated BSN program is most definitely NOT taking the easy way out.