Is an associates degree in nursing a waste of time?

Students Pre-Nursing

Published

As stated in my first post, I'm entering an ADN program at the end of this month. I don't have the money to earn my BSN, or the time. I have been shamed by some outside peers and it makes me feel terrible. I'm a single mom so...you know the rest. Should I just drop out and give the seat to another person? I'm freaking out. Thank you.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN

5,879 Posts

Why are you letting what other people think about what you do with YOUR life influence you to this degree? If you want to be a registered nurse, your ADN program will get you there. It is the SAME exam and license. After you start working, you can find a bridge to the BSN if you wish.

If you are letting other people "shame you" with their irrelevant and meaningless opinions, that's on you.

Love2camp

78 Posts

I am a married mother of 2. I got my ASN last year because I needed to work full time while going to school. I did not find s BSN program that could be done nights and weekends. I was able to get a nursing job and I am working towards my BSN online. I recommend community college for nursing school to keep cost down, if it is a good one.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology.

It's not at all a waste of time, and the people telling you that are incredibly myopic. I work at a Magnet hospital that hires lots of ADN's (who make a commitment to earn their BSN degrees in 2 years). Around here, the local ADN programs have a much better reputation than the for-profit BSN programs. If it is a better option for you right now, get your ADN and then bridge over. It is very cost-effective and you can get into the workforce quicker.

hstutz86

115 Posts

are you serious? you've been accepted and you want to give up without even starting.. Do you value that person's opinion very much that you would give up something you worked for ? Rethink it. I believe that person is hating on you.. you've got a plan he/she doesn't. Don't let people tell you what to do, you will regret it :) I know from personal experience... and more often than not.... when you remind them they wont remember what they said or the negative impact it had on you - they will apologize but, it will be too late for you! Act like an adult and go for it who cares about other people they are not paying your bills or are the guardians of your children, you are!

Jules A, MSN

8,864 Posts

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Of course its not a waste. Depending on your area you might not have as many job options but I made a lot of money as a ADN while in the BSN program which btw was stupid easy. Some hospitals will even offer some tuition reimbursement for continuing degrees.

LightMyFire

137 Posts

I have an ADN. I had no problem getting a job and have had no problem being offered jobs that I subsequently did not take. I'm also the charge nurse on my floor. I'm an RN, and a good one, and that's all that matters in the end. I won't be able to go into management with an ADN but my RN pay is the same regardless. I say you should go for it if being a nurse is what you want to do. It's your life and you can always bridge later as PP have suggested. An RN is an RN.

Specializes in Post Acute, Med/Surg, ED, Nurse Manager.

Hell no! You made it this far keep you head up. Being a single mom this will help you with a great income. Plus there are a ton of AA to BSN programs out there you can do online while you work. If you got in somewhere then by all means say yes! You earned it! Go you!

Leonardsmom,LPN

367 Posts

As others have said go for your ADN now and then you can do a bridge program later to get your BSN if you desire. You have already done so much hard work to get a seat into a program, don't let the opinions of others mess that up for you. What would you do if you gave up your seat? Try to get into a BSN program, pursue a different degree, work?

Other than the influence of others opinions how are you feeling about going for your ADN? Are there any doubts that you may be having personally?

Livetoride

169 Posts

I am pursuing my ADN then bridging to BSN. It is going to be easier on me financially and being as I have 2 children who are very young, I'm not jumping into a Bachelor's off the bat. ADN RNs still find decent jobs and they have an incentive in some organizations to have their BSN schooling funded if the degree is completed by a certain time. You could easily do that working in a physician's office.

The BSN RN and the ADN RN all take the same NCLEX at the end.

NurslingNicole

61 Posts

As stated in my first post, I'm entering an ADN program at the end of this month. I don't have the money to earn my BSN, or the time. I have been shamed by some outside peers and it makes me feel terrible. I'm a single mom so...you know the rest. Should I just drop out and give the seat to another person? I'm freaking out. Thank you.

NO! Do not give up your seat!!! Do you know how hard it can be just to get accepted into a nursing program??? So many people apply and do not get accepted. Count your blessings that you have been admitted and don't give it up because someone else, who is not you, shamed you in some way (Maybe re-evaluate the people in your life as well if they can't be supportive of you and your goal to better your situation and provide for your kid...). Is that the kind of example you want to set for your child? Wouldn't you rather show your kids that you can step up to a challenge and conquer it rather than giving up because of what other people have said?

If money is a motivating factor, consider getting a BSN in an online RN to BSN bridge program after you are done with your ADN. But I've been around plenty of nurses who make quite a bit of money and don't have BSN following their name.

No way, it is not a waste of time! You will have the same license a BSN grad has and you can easily get your BSN after your associates. I am glad I went the route I did. I got a job right out of school (as did all of my peers) and I will have my BSN by the end of next year. There is nothing bad about making money while obtaining my BSN online. Don't let anyone discourage you, definitely go to school and get your degree! Everyone's journey is different and you shouldn't feel ashamed for going the route that works for YOU! Good luck.

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