What made you decide to go for ASN or BSN?

Mimi90RN · Jun 17, 2013

BSN. I went to college right after high school and wanted "the college experience" hence why I went to a 4 yr school. I went to a private college because I was awarded a scholarship, lived at home, worked part time jobs for out of pocket expenses and my mother also helped.

dalavanj, BSN · Jun 17, 2013

I chose BSN for the exclusive reason that more and more hospitals in my area are going to MAGNET Status. With that being said, It made more sense for me to complete a BSN. Also, the BSN program accepted me and the ADN did not!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 17, 2013

I chose BSN for the exclusive reason that more and more hospitals in my area are going to MAGNET Status. With that being said It made more sense for me to complete a BSN. [/quote']
^This...
When you have 3 major health systems with Magnet Status-including one with small hospitals a part of their network, the writing is in the wall.
I compared BSN and ADN programs. In my area, the difference is research and leadership is separate, and that's it.
I also decided not to return to an ADN program because of what another poster stated....didn't want to go back to school any more.
My goal was to get a bachelors degree, so I went for the BSN, and got it. :)

elprup, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2013

I got my BSN because I got accepted first try. If I would have waited for the ADN program I could have been waiting years in a lottery system Plus I figured by the time I finished my prereqs and the ADN program, it would take 4 years anyway, so why not just get my BSN. I had no idea how I was going to pay for my BSN when I got accepted, and it took longer than I expected, but I did it.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 17, 2013

Lately I've been contemplating what would make the most sense. I have all but 3 of my ASN pre reqs satisfied, and I'm not sure how many BSN. But I was set on getting my ASN then doing the bridge program - now I'm not too sure.
I'm currently taking chem, will be taking ap 1&2 in fall, as well as retaking political science, then microbiology and sociology in the spring. Ive thought about just going straight through. I do have two kids, not employed, and I'm just not sure lately.
What made you decide? Or more so helped you decide?

The biggest thing that made me choose ADN over BSN (similar length courses) was (at the time) the University was closed to 2nd Bachelor's students. That included the BSN program. I could have had excellent scores in everything, top number of points possible and I'd still not be able to get in. So, I went with the ADN program. As soon as practicable, I'll pursue BSN... It's not that many more units, thanks to my existing degree.

mayninetytwo · Jun 18, 2013

Time. I've already wasted a lot of time with remedials and other classes, because I couldn't decide on a major. It will only take me two semesters to do these pre-reqs, so I figured why not. Now, I'm just going to community college for the ASN now, and then go for my BSN later. Hopefully, I get a job with just my ASN. This is the only thing that concerns me. I'm sick of retail, ready to be out on my own and graduate!

Idiosyncratic, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2013

Thanks everyone! Your input really helped. I analyzed the classes needed for both of them; I'll be ready to apply for next year's ASN degree programs(2 different schools) by Spring of next year. I'll be ready for the BSN by Spring of 2015. I think I'm more leaning towards the ASN again because of cost, closer schools, and it'll give me a little more time to do the BSN pre requisites. As it was, I was going to have decently heavy course loads to be ready by Spring 2015. As it stands, I need to be able to be around for my kids, and I think that'd be easier to do at the college 25 minutes away, than the one 1 hour away.

PVCCHoo · Jun 18, 2013

The community college where I am taking my prereqs has a concurrent program with another state university where students who already hold a bachelor's, can earn their BSN at the same time as the ADN. So once you have been accepted in to the community college's ADN program, you can also start the university BSN program. It's only one extra online class per semester and then 2 classes each summer. Two years total for the BSN. Of course, getting the BSN adds about 8-10k extra in the cost.

That's my plan for now. Also looking at a master's entry CNL program but that is about 3 times the cost of the BSN. You can still get hire at hospitals here with an ADN, but you will have to get the BSN soon thereafter, so it only makes sense to just go ahead and get it now. The only reason I would consider holding off would be if I knew the hospital would pay for it, but I don't think they all do. Might as well start out with it to help in landing that first job out of school.

RN2Be77 · Jun 18, 2013

I am in a situation where I was accepted into both an ABSN and an ADN program. The ABSN is 1 year and the ADN so I thought would have been 2 years. After taking a closer look I realized that the ADN would actually be less than 2 years for me because I have all the pre-reqs. However, by the time I realized this I had already declined my seat at the school and now I wish I could change it. Just wondering if anyone of you were also in the same boat and decided to go with the ADN first versus the ABSN and why.

ruby1989 · Jun 18, 2013

I chose BSN for several reasons. Most hospitals in my area have went magnet. While the ADN-BSN bridge program seemed like a good idea on paper, I wondered if I would even be able to get a job with an ADN.

Also, while most people need more pre-req courses to apply to a BSN program, it was actually the opposite for me. The community college wanted me to take an extra English class. I was beyond angry. I already had a previous bachelors degree. They claimed I was 1/2 credit short of meeting their communications requirement. I had skipped the usual sequence of two English courses because my SAT scores tested me out. Now they wanted me to take a lower level English course. Working backwards, paying additional money, and wasting time didn't make sense to me. Additionally, they wanted an extra psychology course.

Secondly, there's quite a waiting list at the community college. It's not as bad as many places it seems, but I would venture to guess that I would have been starting at least a year and a half later. I would have ended up with an ADN in the same amount of time it would have taken me to get my BSN. Imagine me doing the bridge program after that. Also, there's a whole lot of drama and concern with this community college losing their accreditation.

LittleWhiteDress · Jun 18, 2013

I started with an ADN, 2 years ago, but in my first semester my husband received army orders, thus I withdrew and we moved. Then I decided to apply for a BSN, because I didn't want to waste more time. My old ADN class just graduated in May. In 2 years I will have my BSN, thus I didn't waste any time. If I would have chosen ADN again, it would have taken me even longer to finish.