ADN to BSN - is it worth it?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

Published

Hello! I've been an RN for two years now after graduating with my ADN. Can anyone tell me if it is truly worth it to go back to school for the BSN degree? My hospital only pays a dollar more an hour for a BSN. I heard that some hospitals pay two dollars more an hour. Whoopi doo! That alone, doesn't motivate me to get a BSN. I do have a bachelors degree in a non nursing major that I received back in 1998 (nursing was a second career choice for me).

Thanks for your replies!

Joli

Specializes in med/surg, ortho/neuro, ambulatory surg.

Honestly it depends on what you plan to do but education is NEVER a waste of time.

0 Votes

There is one reason I would pursue it if I were young enough, if no other reason. Heaven forbid, something might happen to you that would preclude you from doing staff bedside nursing. Usually that event is the well known back injury. It does happen. Then a BSN would be helpful, as a stepping stone, in convincing an employer to move you into a desk or mgmt type job that you could handle without the physical labor required for everyday nursing. Otherwise, unless you see a mgmt position in your horizon, it is a nice to have but not necessarily a must have. Good luck.

0 Votes
Specializes in Operating Room.

I'm in a similar situation..I graduated a year ago, and am thinking of starting the ball rolling to get my BSN. I was always interested in doing either CRNA or NP though, so that's my main motivation..If I were to stay a bedside nurse, I wouldn't bother(my hospital doesn't give a rat's hienie what kind of degree you have)

0 Votes
Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

I had a previous BA and started out in nursing as an LPN. I went back right away and got my ADN and swore I was never going back.

Eventually, reluctantly, I did start back into a BSN bridge program (no RN to MSN programs around at that time).

It was during the course of the BSN program that I learned about the NP role and knew that was what I wanted to do.

So, for me, it was worth it. Even if you don't want to go on into some sort of advanced practice, a BSN really will tend to give you more flexibility.

0 Votes
Hey Joli,

I'm asking myself the same question! I also graduated with ADN 2 years ago. I was all set to start a BSN program this year, but then decided against it. I just can't make up my mind if it will be with the time, effort and expense. My husband doesn't think it would be worth it, financially. It would be hard for us to pay for it. I really don't want student loans again. I was so excited to get those paid off!

Good luck making your decision,

Christine

Your hospital doesn't offer tuition reimbursement? I am in Phoenix and most hospitals around here offer $5250 a year towards tuition and the hospital I work at even does direct bill so I have no out of pocket expense except for books. So for me I thought it was worth it since I have an interest in working in community health nursing in the future which requires a BSN. And I think it is appropriate since community health is not covered in enough detail in most ADN programs.

0 Votes
Specializes in PCICU.

I think that all associate degree nurses should continue their education, whether its about getting your BSN, MSN, or whatever. It opens more doors, you can do it at your own pace, etc. And since the hospital pays for it, HEY, why not?

I plan on going back Fall of next year. I'm doing a nurse internship program that specifies that i wait a year before going back...but i'll be there. Oh, and the last thing I need is for some legislator to come out with some bill that forces me into a BSN. I know that if its up to me, i will do it...but if someone FORCES me to do it, i will have issues...so might as well do it now...

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment