BSN vs RN...is it worth the tuition difference? I already hold a BA if that matters

springchick1, ADN, RN · Apr 18, 2016

A lot of it depends on the area you live in. Are hospitals in your area hiring ADN nurses? Will you make more money with a BSN? In my area, hospitals hire ADN nurses and they make the same amount as those with their BSN.

artha · Apr 18, 2016

Hey!

I am currently in an ADN program and going to graduate in May. I would say to first look at the community college's accreditation. Your school will need accreditation so you can go on to a RN to BSN program. My teacher says that they have been saying that all nurses will need BSNs since 20 years ago, but I know that more and more hospitals are requiring a BSN to get hired and some even require that you a get into a RN to BSN within a year of being hired.

Second, see if nurses from that ADN program have been hired at local community hospitals. There should be a Facebook group page to ask other members, or maybe the Nursing Department can inform you. Since you have a family, I would say go for the ADN program if everything checks out. Just because you will be done in a shorter amount of time and the expenses will be much lower. Although be forewarned that RN to BSN programs cost 10-20k or even more! But you can work during the RN to BSN program!

Also, make sure you keep your grades up. Most RN to BSN programs that I have seen require a 2.75 GPA - some 2.5. Don't overwhelm yourself with lots of science classes in one semester if you are taking prereqs still. Good luck!

Mkakids · Apr 18, 2016

A lot of it depends on the area you live in. Are hospitals in your area hiring ADN nurses? Will you make more money with a BSN? In my area, hospitals hire ADN nurses and they make the same amount as those with their BSN.

Just based on looking at the job postings of local hospitals, yes they are hiring ADNs.

Mkakids · Apr 18, 2016

Hey!
I am currently in an ADN program and going to graduate in May. I would say to first look at the community college's accreditation. Your school will need accreditation so you can go on to a RN to BSN program. My teacher says that they have been saying that all nurses will need BSNs since 20 years ago, but I know that more and more hospitals are requiring a BSN to get hired and some even require that you a get into a RN to BSN within a year of being hired.
Second, see if nurses from that ADN program have been hired at local community hospitals. There should be a Facebook group page to ask other members, or maybe the Nursing Department can inform you. Since you have a family, I would say go for the ADN program if everything checks out. Just because you will be done in a shorter amount of time and the expenses will be much lower. Although be forewarned that RN to BSN programs cost 10-20k or even more! But you can work during the RN to BSN program!
Also, make sure you keep your grades up. Most RN to BSN programs that I have seen require a 2.75 GPA - some 2.5. Don't overwhelm yourself with lots of science classes in one semester if you are taking prereqs still. Good luck!

Yes the ADN program I am looking at it acredited and has a very good reputation and a solid new grad hiring rate. I know several people who have graduated from it in the last few years and have been employed quickly.

Also this program requires students to keep a 2.75 to remain in the program.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Apr 18, 2016

Just based on looking at the job postings of local hospitals, yes they are hiring ADNs.

I wouldn't necessarily go off of the job posting. I would call and talk to HR and verify with them. Just because it says the minimum education is an ADN, it doesn't mean they are actually hiring them.

Mkakids · Apr 18, 2016

I wouldn't necessarily go off of the job posting. I would call and talk to HR and verify with them. Just because it says the minimum education is an ADN, it doesn't mean they are actually hiring them.

Good call, thank you.

Brink48 · Apr 18, 2016

Just based on looking at the job postings of local hospitals, yes they are hiring ADNs.

Job postings put the lowest minimum qualifications, so that doesn't mean much.

elkpark · Apr 18, 2016

Just looking at job postings doesn't tell you much about who is actually getting hired into positions. It's the same as the literature for all the nursing schools -- just because all of a school's literature says 2.75 GPA is the minimum they will accept, that doesn't mean anyone with a 2.75 GPA is actually getting accepted ...

Mkakids · Apr 18, 2016

Just looking at job postings doesn't tell you much about who is actually getting hired into positions. It's the same as the literature for all the nursing schools -- just because all of a school's literature says 2.75 GPA is the minimum they will accept, that doesn't mean anyone with a 2.75 GPA is actually getting accepted ...

Uhh...yea. I realized that about the aceptance and assume a much higher gpa is needed. Thanks though.

Zyprexa_Ho · Apr 19, 2016

No, go the ADN route and then bridge to your BSN. It's what I'm doing as a second degree student. Especially since hospitals in your area are hiring ADN prepared RNs. Even if not, it would make more financial sense to work in LTC and then bridge and go to acute care.

AshBuggin · Apr 19, 2016

A BSN will be mandatory pretty soon. Most hospitals (at least the ones here in FL) require you to either have your BSN or commit to enrolling in a BSN program- with that being said a lot of hospitals will pay for you to get your BSN. I chose to get my ASN then do a bridge option onion for my BSN and let my employer pay for it. It's less expensive for me that way. Depends on your end game, I suppose. Good luck!