RN or BSN?

[confused13]

Hello all! I realize my question may be one that is asked a lot but I was unable to find a thread with a similar situation to my own. I graduated college only a few years ago but have discovered a tad too late an English degree is useless if I do not want to be a teacher. I have a friend who is currently a RN who told me that getting a BSN will help me with job opportunities later in life. My question is, if I already have a bachelors degree, will going to a community college for a year to receive my RN be detrimental later in life or should I go through an accelerated nursing program to receive my BSN?

Additionally, am I able to go for a MSN later if I do not have a BSN?

This is all so confusing to me and while I know there is no one perfect route for anyone, I appreciate everyone's opinions.

[zoe92]

Both are RNs. Community college would be ADN (or ASN) while bachelor's is BSN. Most schools (even community colleges) take MORE than 1 year to become a RN. Pre reqs take at least a semester and then clinicals can be 2, 3, 4 semesters (or even more depending on what school you go to). I would just go for the accelerated BSN because the ADN would probably take just as long. BSNs are more competitive in today's job market, at least where I live. Also, regardless of your first bachelor's, employers only look at your nursing degree and not previous education.

[bubblejet50]

Around my area the accelerated bsn program is 15months and the adn program is 24months. There are more job openings in my area for bsn's also. Nursing job markets suck right now so I would get the bachelors degree. Many nurses.have been looking for jobs even a year after graduation so if you wanted to go into nursing for an easy to obtain job talk to some nurses in your area first. If you love taking care of someone then go for it.

[Luckyyou, BSN, RN]

The BSN will open up more career opportunities for you, both immediately and further on in your career if you want to leave the bedside, especially if you live in an area that prefers to hire BSNs for entry level positions.