Which is better RN cert. from a community college or BSN

Students ADN/BSN

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jottRN

11 Posts

Looking at thelittledoe's post--if you can indeed get a BSN in the same amount of time, I'd go for it.

msteeleart

231 Posts

Specializes in Psych/med surg.

In my area, the BSN schools come with a hefty price tag so I decided to take the ADN route so I could get a job and have them assist me with my BSN. I have met nursing students at my job that will graduate with $50k-$100k of debt. We have an accelerated second degree program but that one is $30k and is very competitive so I couldn't do it.

I would do what is best for your situation. You can always get your BSN while you are working and your employer may pay for it.

pbuttercups

34 Posts

Specializes in School Nursing.

An RN license is an RN license....you both take the same test to get it. That's what I could never understand.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I am getting a little confused on what to do. I already have a BS, but would like to become a nurse. What is the difference in going to a community college and getting a RN Certificate through them and going to a University and getting a BSN? Which one has more opportunities. I see a lot of RN job postings, so that confuses me.

Thanks for the help.

If you all ready have a BS.....go for an accelerated BSN program

sun78910

11 Posts

I did the accelerated program because I had a BS, the only gripes I had was the money and it's tough because the curriculum is so condensed. I went to a private nursing school and costs added up quickly. It set me back 60 grand for 16 months of school (although I'm sure this is on the very high end). I worked part time (and I mean very part time) and a tech in a hospital. I could barely make time to work let alone have a life because I was studying all the time. Another thing you may want to consider is do you want to go back and get a masters in nursing? Most programs require a BSN in order to be accepted. The hospital I work at used to hire ADN but now we are a magnet hospital and they can only hire BSN nurses. For me I'm glad I went into the accelerated program because I finished quickly and I want to go back to school so I don't have to worry about my BSN. Although I do wish I had just gotten my ADN and then went back and had my work pay for me to get my BSN because I'd be much richer. If you decide on the ADN program work as a tech while you're in school to secure a job when you graduate.

wanderlust99

793 Posts

Specializes in ICU/PACU.

If I had a BS in another field and wanted to go into nursing, I'd look into the different masters programs available.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN

3,445 Posts

Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

You already have a BS, I suggest doing the accelerated BSN. It's one year of your life and you will not only have a BS in Nursing but will have earning power a year earlier (and have a higher degree) than if you did a 2-year ADN. All of your 1st BS degree coursework will transfer in to the reqs for the BS Nursing degree, and then all you have to do is complete nursing courses. You may however have to do some prereqs like Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology before that if you have not done this yet.

I did the 1-year accelerated BSN, and I am already working 18 months from the date I started school (I have 6 months nursing experience now). Had I done the ADN, I would still be in school with no job or money and graduating this May.

If you can, do an Accelerated BSN. I had a Bachelor's already and in 12 months I had a BSN. You have to have a lot of pre-reqs already done at the point you apply, so if you don't have those it might be just as quick to do a 2-3 year diploma or ADN program (although if you want to go to grad school in the nursing field you need to have the BSN so that should be a consideration - and also employability). My ABSN program was an INSANE year. Your time will be consumed with the program. There's no way around it. But you can do anything for a year. And I was hired into a great ICU a couple weeks before I even graduated - in an extremely saturated area. I say go ABSN - many people will take umbrage at this, but, there is a difference in most people's eyes between an associate's and a bachelor's degree. It's the way of the world. Call it degree creep, call it what you will, but nursing needs to keep up with other health care fields. For all the work and knowledge we are responsible for now, it is adventitious for us to have Bachelor's.

Let me clarify that last point I made. As I re-read it I realized how it may have sounded. Now, bear in mind that I'm one of those crazy people that thinks a bachelor's degree is more than enough for everything. Medical school should be a bachelor's degree. In my mind the PhD should be the only doctorate level degree. But that's just not how this country is. Everyone has to be a doctor now. Everyone has to have a million degrees. Especially healthcare. It's a bit ridiculous really - MD, PharmD, DPT, OD, DO, AuD... even a Doctorate in Physician Assistant Studies. So, unfortunately, nursing is left in a pretty precarious position. Can anyone here honestly say that many of the degree/career paths listed above are responsible for as much as the bedside nurse? And yet they are "doctors" and we are diplomas and associate degrees. It's a bizarre hierarchy in the hospital and as far as education goes, we are on the bottom. Pharm techs and lab assistants have as much education as the RN. We need to (unfortunately) raise the bar.

nurseladybug12

161 Posts

I also had a bachelors in psych and I went to a community college a semester later and got my ADN may 2012. I did it that way because I was on my own, own apt, paying for my car, parents were no financial help to me whatsoever. I had to do the practical thing and the quickest thing for me to get on my feet. If I had the financial support, I would have either gone for my BSN at a cheaper college and hope that most of my credits transferred, or did a MSN bridge program. I have found that many nursing job postings will say "Bachelors preferred" even bachelors required. You could also get your ADN and sometimes schools will help you get your BSN with just a few more online classes. If you have the support, I would say go for the BSN.

oldenurselady

41 Posts

Specializes in ob.

Many community colleges have excellent nursing programs. In the urban areas on the East Coast right now, there are a number of new grads without jobs. I see a lot of BSN only jobs posted for bedside entry level, cargivers. Right or wrong, hospitals view the BSN grad as "better." Whether or not that is reality is a matter of debate. I am an ADN grad who got an excellent and very reasonably priced education BUT I would have to say if you can get the BSN pretty quickly, then do that.

mee9mee9

393 Posts

I want to go the asn route and then apply for rn to bsn right after

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