Is it worth just going from BSN rather than just a ADN..

llg, PhD, RN · May 3, 2011

The answer to your question depends on the details of your situation. In some areas of the county, you would have trouble getting a decent job with just the ADN. In such places, the extra investment for the BSN could mean the difference of whether you can get a job or not. In other places, there are plenty of jobs for ADN's and so that investment might not be worth it at the moment. Which is the case in your area?

Also, it depends on how much of an investment would the BSN be? Is it reasonably do-able? Or would you have to put yourself into so much debt that it would ruin your financial situation for many years to come?

How does the BSN option compare with your ADN possibilities? In some places, the ADN programs are so long, that the investment is almost as great as a BSN program. If that's the case, then it makes no sense to make that big investment in an ADN: you might as well go for the BSN.

If the ADN is short and cheap -- and you will be able to get a good job with an ADN, it might be your best bet. But if the BSN is not all that much more and you have the ability to get it done now, the BSN option may be better -- especially if it will give you significantly better employment opportunities as a new grad.

What are the facts in your city? That's what you need to know in order to make your decision.

pitaya · May 4, 2011

I would always pick BSN over ADN if I had a choice! Might as well go as far up the ladder as you can, especially if you think you might one day want a BSN as an ADN grad.

mariposabella · May 4, 2011

Just go for the BSN. It is more expensive and it will take longer to be a nurse, but it is worth it. I hear that some hospitals only hire grads with a BSN. Weigh your options of where you want to go to nursing school and what region or city you want to work in. Check out nursing jobs where you want to live/work and see if hospitals are mainly hiring grads with a BSN or if they are hiring with both. Also talk to nurse recruiters at hospitals they would have a lot of insight.

shananigansWI · May 4, 2011

Everyone here has given you great advice, it really does depend on your location and the particulars of your situation.

I chose to go the BSN route. I had a previous BA, so the difference in the course work I needed to complete before starting the BSN program I wanted vs. going for the ADN was one 5-credit o/bio chem class and taking the 5-credit instead of the 4-credit micro class. The tuition for BSN will be a little higher, but UW-Madison is still a bargain for in state tuition when you compare it to similar universities. Also, the UW hospital hires only BSNs and the other hospitals in town strongly prefer them.

soxgirl2008 · May 4, 2011

Also, the UW hospital hires only BSNs and the other hospitals in town strongly prefer them.

Is this all in Madison? I know in Milwaukee Froedert will hire ADN's if they had tech experience in a hospital while in school, which I was really surprised to hear since they're magnet status.

To the OP: I agree with llg, you really need to look at the facts in your area of the country, and how much the BSN would cost you. If it's not too much of a financial burden I'd say go with the BSN. However if it's going to put you in major debt, and the area in which you want to work still hires ADNs it might make more sense to go for the ADN first. Where I live I'm not competitive enough for the public BSN programs, and the private programs would easily put me $60,000 in debt. I'm doing the ADN program because the hospitals in my area don't care if you are BSN or ADN, and once I graduate I'll only have to take 23 credits to have my BSN because of all the credits I accumulated at the university i started at, and it'll cost me $10,000 as opposed to $60,000. So this was the best choice for me, but I would recommend the BSN right away if you can afford it since going back for the BSN generally takes at least 2 years unless you have a bunch of credits already racked up like I did.

shananigansWI · May 4, 2011

Is this all in Madison? I know in Milwaukee Froedert will hire ADN's if they had tech experience in a hospital while in school, which I was really surprised to hear since they're magnet status.

Yes, Madison. I don't know anything about the hospitals in the Milwaukee area.

soxgirl2008 · May 4, 2011

Gotcha. Well congrats on UW! That's a great program and the price is a bargain for the education you get out of it!

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · May 4, 2011

Economically, in my area, a new kid starting college would be best served by doing a year of prereqs, completing the ADN, working, and achieving the BSN while working. The RN-BSN programs are online from state schools around here. Of course, if you have the other liberal arts courses completed you could go through an RN-MSN program and pick up the BSN incidentally along the way. That's kind of a good thing because some courses, such as research methods, are dual counted so you only have to take them once.

I'm in a BSN program. I had all of the prereqs, sans nutrition, from a first degree, so I picked up the phone, made an inquiry, and I was admitted to the program. I actually wanted in the ADN program because they take half the number of nursing courses the BSN faction takes. They were booked up though so to the BSN I went. I don't regret that particular decision though, yet I still question what nursing can do for me, lol.

sharpeimom · May 4, 2011

as previous posters have said, it depends on where you live. i was a second career rn. i already had a b.a. and had had several prereqs. i decided to get a b.s.n. because i could then go on and get a masters. if you are younger, you might want to get an associates degree so you can work while you finish your b.s.n. if you're in an area that only hires b.s.n. holders, however, you have your answer. it can limit your options down the road, if you stop at an associates degree, so if you even think you might want a leadership role later, go for the higher degree from the beginning.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · May 4, 2011

Another consideration is whether or not you are eligible right away for a BSN or ADN program. While I have a good GPA, it's not likely good enough and I'd have to take yet another course or two to be eligible for the BSN program here. On top of that, due to budget issues, 2nd Bachelor's students may or may not be admitted to the University here. Last year, they were not. I had no chance, even if qualified. This year, who knows!

What I am doing is taking an ADN program to get the RN and then I may apply to the BSN program for the RN-BSN upgrade. Aside from having an RN license, I'm qualified for that now! As I already have a Bachelor's, the course of study should be fairly short. I may elect to instead pursue a MSN program, and take whatever coursework is necessary for entry to that program.

In short, it totally does depend upon your own situation... had I not earned my first Bachelor's a long time ago, I'd have even more options... including more financial aid options. What I outlined are the options that I have for my particular situation.

Have fun... my roller-coaster ride will begin in just a couple months!

Moogie · May 4, 2011

Moving this to the Diploma, ADN, or BSN forum.