BSN or ADN?

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2017

I would make your decision based on the job market in your area. Are there still good job opportunities for ADN nurses? Or are you located in a larger city that is primarily only hiring nurses with BSN degrees? If there's a market for ADN nurses, then go that route so you can start working sooner and maybe even get a job that will help pay for the BSN degree. But if you think you'll graduate with your ADN and then be unemployed for the next year or two until you get your BSN, just go straight for the 4 year degree.

P.S. A 30-45 minute commute is negligible. I drive at least 45 minutes to work and back every day. I see no reason to relocate closer to a campus that is only a 30-45 minute drive.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2017

You know what they say..."The shortest distance between two points is a straight line." The BSN route is the straight line approach, whereas the ADN-to-BSN pathway is the zigzag approach.

There really is no reason to relocate to attend a school that is only 45 minutes away. I lived 95 miles one-way from the LVN program I attended, and 225 miles one-way from the ASN program I attended, both without relocating. Also, crossed state lines to attend the ASN program. Thus, a 45 minute commute seems trivial to me.

Moreover, $20,000 in tuition and fees for a BSN program is affordable in this day and age. If you select the ADN-to-BSN route, tuition/fees for the $4,000 online BSN might increase by the time you enroll.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2017

My advice is to not put your eggs into just one basket. Figure out what you will need and pick 3 programs to apply to. A lot of people I know end up screwing themselves over by not being flexible enough to attend other programs. One guy I knew graduated with a BSN before the community college called him to see if he wanted to start clinicals. The wait list was that long.

I did my ADN and then BSN. It was shorter this way for me. It was also cheaper. Most ADN programs partner with local universities so their credits will transfer to a university.

Ncgirl2013 · Feb 4, 2017

Thanks yall. I work as a CNA for a hospital and the nurses I work with say that now on the applications in our area most employers won't even consider hiring if you don't have a BSN. I also know a nurse who said the advantage to getting your ADN is getting more clinical experience because the BSN involves a lot of writing, leaving less time for clinicals. She believes her ADN made her better prepared for the workforce. I don't know how true that is... but I appreciate all the input!

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2017

Thanks yall. I work as a CNA for a hospital and the nurses I work with say that now on the applications in our area most employers won't even consider hiring if you don't have a BSN. I also know a nurse who said the advantage to getting your ADN is getting more clinical experience because the BSN involves a lot of writing, leaving less time for clinicals. She believes her ADN made her better prepared for the workforce. I don't know how true that is... but I appreciate all the input!

In all honesty, getting a BSN does not take that much longer if you plan for it. I managed to get through Ohio University's program in 8 months because I planned while I was in the ADN program by fulfilling other education credits so I had only my English II and nursing classes to take. I did double up on a few semesters and probably could have completed in about six months if I had taken the max credits.

I still say apply to both schools. In my area, it is very common for people to apply to multiple schools because they are not guaranteed to get into the school they choose regardless of whether it is an ADN or BSN. Take for example J. If J had waited for the ADN school, he would have had to wait 4 more years (he waited at least 2 years if not more on the wait list for the CC and then it would have taken him 2 more years to complete the CC) had he not attended the BSN school.

More and more schools are going to points systems to do away with wait lists so you could potentially never get into your chosen school if other people have more points than you do.