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

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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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.

I've gone the ADN route myself (will graduate in May, yesssss!) because of several factors. One for me was money. As I get a full Pell grant tuition and books were totally covered throughout the program for me at the CC, and I couldn't really afford a BSN program. I also like the amount of clinical hours we get in our ADN program compared to the BSN programs in the area. With those factors, combined with the fact that ADNs generally don't have a hard time getting hired as long as they commit to getting their BSN within 5 years or so, so the hospital can maintain magnet status, I went with my ADN.

Specializes in I have learned a little bit about a lot.

For myself I start off with a ADN but I am currently in a BSN program. I would have still had 2 years of nursing school regardless of the route I took. I did not have anyone to talk with about nursing and all I saw was ADN was cheaper. If I could do it over again I would have gotten my BSN and now I would be getting my MSN. A LOT of places only hire BSN nurses. Being a new grad with a ADN it could be hard to find I job. I work for a magnet hospital and they really push for BSN nursing and higher but they will pay for everything so it's a win. Good luck!

Hello JottRN:) I'm soon to be moving to Little Rock, AR wanted to know if you could please provide me with information on the school you attended and your online program for your BSN. Im new to this site and dont know if it's a place to check messages here but could you please send it to my personal email [email protected] thanks:)

Hello JottRN I'm soon to be moving to Little Rock, AR wanted to know if you could please provide me with information on the school you attended and your online program for your BSN. Im new to this site and dont know if it's a place to check messages here but could you please send it to my personal email [email protected] thanks

I am enrolled in an ADN program. I am a brand new nursing student with a previous Bachelor degree in Physics. I have also heard that ADNs are having a hard time getting their first RN jobs over BSNs. I've also heard that the job market varied by state or by local community even. But somehow that seems to conflict with what I am seeing posted on job sites. All they ask for are RN license. It wouldn't change my decision about where I attend school (a local and highly respected community college) but just makes me motivated to jump on a RN to BSN program as soon as possible after graduation - maybe even RN-MSN as I work. I am also a mom of three kids and married. I know it will be hard. Any words of advice?

I am enrolled in an ADN program. I am a brand new nursing student with a previous Bachelor degree in Physics. I have also heard that ADNs are having a hard time getting their first RN jobs over BSNs. I've also heard that the job market varied by state or by local community even. But somehow that seems to conflict with what I am seeing posted on job sites. All they ask for are RN license. It wouldn't change my decision about where I attend school (a local and highly respected community college) but just makes me motivated to jump on a RN to BSN program as soon as possible after graduation - maybe even RN-MSN as I work. I am also a mom of three kids and married. I know it will be hard. Any words of advice?
My background was similar (previous bachelor and master's degrees), went the ADN route and then RN-BSN. At community college, I was in the evening/weekend nursing program and most of had full-time day jobs (in my case, I was working 50 - 60 hrs/wk). All of us made it through and all but one of us passed the NCLEX on the first try. Many of my classmates also went on to get their BSN's. While this didn't help in my case - I continue to work outside of health care - it has helped many of my classmates to get (or keep) hospital nursing jobs.

The job market for new grads varies widely across the country but in many places, it is very difficult for new grads to find nursing jobs. My CC has one of the oldest and most well-regarded ADN programs in the country and in years past, its graduates were highly sought after. That has changed now with nearly all hospitals in the area hiring only BSN's. Most of my classmates struggled to find jobs even in LTC. Even with a BSN however, it is difficult for new grads. Your area may be different but this is something worth looking into prior to investing the time, money and energy into getting a nursing degree.

Best of luck to you.

Specializes in Geriatric/Sub Acute, Home Care.

I dont care what anyone says, I have been in Nursing for 17 years, I have seen nurses with masters degrees that couldnt work in LTC facilities....they couldnt handle the stress of working with demanding older people...it was amazing...personally I feel if you dont have THAT CERTAIN NURSING ABILITY IN YOU.(NO LETTERS AFTER YOUR NAME NECESSARY) it wont matter . too much knowledge doesnt mean you are smarter than other nurses who dont have the letters after their RN.....its handson experience in the end that makes you what you really are, but unfortunately OUR WORLD looks at all those letters as some kind of miracle walking into the door and its just not so.....not that I am condemning all the nurses that achieved them, its just doesnt make for a real diligent compassionate nurse all the time. But thats my opinion. , afterall....someone with a college degree would never survive the streets of Chicago or New York City as a homeless person. You have to be street smart....... It takes your own character, and want to help people that will eventually get you where you want to go once someone who has experience being on that end sincerely knows that this person WITHOUT a degree really knows what the score is.

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