BSN versus ADN

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Okay so I would like opinions. I know I for sure want to be an RN but torn if I want to get my BSN or ADN. Judging by the schools in this area the only ADN school I want to attend is a private Catholic one that is 7500/ semester. They have a great reputation...but very expensive. The other 2 ADN programs have reputations for being disorganized with low NCLEX pass rates. So for the money I would spend at the private school (ADN actually ends up taking 3 years for everything), I would spend as if I went through a BSN program AND lived on campus. I just turned 23, single, no kids...just retaking my classes to boost my GPA getting my pre-req's. I would like opinions from people on either side.

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I am currently at a community college finishing pre reqs and applying to BSN programs to transfer into. I think the ADN is an excellent choice but my situation makes the BSN a more appropriate choice and just as attainable as the ADN. My community college has an excellent ADN program that is highly revered but I am applying for the BSN for 3 reasons: 1. My parents offered to pay my tuition for a BSN, which takes a huge financial burden off of me. Therefore, I can attend a 4 year university that costs at least double the tuition of my community college. 2. I literally only need my nursing classes because I have enough credits for a bachelor's degree. It would take 2 years to do clinicals for the ADN and that is the exact same amount for the BSN clinicals. My first year of college I was in a BA major so I acquired "core" classes for a bachelor's degree. 3. Where I live, a lot of nurses that are ADNs are being asked to return to school for the BSN. So I figure I will just do it now instead of breaking it up into 2 degrees. I think you have to look at the specific factors of your situation. I don't recommend attending any schools with low NCLEX pass rates, so I would not consider those. The ADN program you mentioned is pretty expensive (7500 x 6 semesters = almost $50,000) and the same price to attend a BSN program with just about the same amount of time needed.

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I chose to go for my BSN because it would be less schooling I would I have to go through later on if I decided to further my education. Also, the few ADN schools around here are nearly impossible to get into and I got accepted into my BSN program the first time I applied. I think a lot of people choose ADN because its quicker and sometimes less expensive. So if time isn't an issue and the costs are about the same I would just go BSN. If you choose ADN, you may end up going back to school later to do the RN-BSN bridge which will cost additional money. Good luck :)

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I am in the BSN program for a couple of reasons...

1) The wait lists were so long at my local community college it was just as fast to do the BSN

2) I hope to maybe go on for a Masters and maybe when I have worked for a while a Doctorate so that I can teach

3) There are more ADN graduates than BSN in my area and perhaps state so this gives me a leg up on the competition

4) Some of the better hospitals in my state prefer or only hire BSNs

5) The school that I am in now has a much higher NCLEX pass rate than any of the schools in the state except one

Wow I guess that was more than a couple! ;)

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

Sounds like your best bet is the BSN, in your situation. If you have the money to pay for it, or don't mind taking out the loans, it sounds like you'll be better prepared for the NCLEX and get more out of the four-year program.

Granted, it is your own work and not the school's that will help you pass the NCLEX, but it is important to find a school that will prepare you well.

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.
I chose to go for my BSN because it would be less schooling I would I have to go through later on if I decided to further my education. Also, the few ADN schools around here are nearly impossible to get into and I got accepted into my BSN program the first time I applied. I think a lot of people choose ADN because its quicker and sometimes less expensive. So if time isn't an issue and the costs are about the same I would just go BSN. If you choose ADN, you may end up going back to school later to do the RN-BSN bridge which will cost additional money. Good luck :)

This is true. However, I know the hospital where I work now has an arrangement with a local university to pay for their nurses to get their BSNs. Even if they don't want to attend that school, we've got a great tuition reimbursement program. So even if you end up going the ADN route, your future employer might be willing to pay for your next level of education - just something to investigate later on.

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I personally would not pay that much for an ADN, even if you like the school. In your specific situation, I would go for the BSN if you can afford it. If not, I would get the ADN at the less expensive programs in your area. If you then plan to bridge to a BSN, be sure the school you choose is accredited and everything will transfer.

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Thanks for all the opinions. I am most likely going for my BSN (wish I could change my user name lol). It'll be worth it in the end, I'll spend almost as much time in school for either. Plus BSN will look better. Not to mention the money! I would rather spend the same for a bachelor's and live on campus versus getting my associate's and having to live on my own and pay bills. Thanks again :)

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I've decided to apply to 2 BSN programs and 2 ADN programs so far to start fall 2013. I'm hoping for the best.

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Good luck futureBSN ;)

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Specializes in Inpatient Obstetrics.

I'm going for my ADN but once I'm done I will go do the bridge RN -BSN. In my area it's VERY competitive to jump into the BSN programs. The plus side is the ADN programs aren't bad at all.

But there's a higher demand for BSN than ADN so that's why I'm jumping to get my BSN after ADN.

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