Advice -- ADN or BSN for a second career

U.S.A. Texas

Published

I have recently started taking prerequisite classes for nursing school at a local community college. I have a bachelor's (psych) and a master's (health care administration) but have spent much more time as a stay at home mom and preschool teacher than working in these fields.

So, I'm looking at the choices to either pursue the ADN at Austin Community College or to apply to the Texas Tech 2nd degree BSN program. Unfortunately, it looks like I will have a lot of pesky rereqs like history, political science, etc (in addition to the sciences) if I do the TT program.

In total, if I REALLY pack in the rereqs, the programs will end up taking about the same length of time.

Here is where I will come clean. I don't really want to take additional school classes outside of science/nursing classes. The thought of taking the general education classes horrifies me. I know this may sound lazy and short sighted but I am 40 years old and have two kids and work part time. I was really hoping to just learn a new skill, not revisit my college days!!

I don't know yet what type of nursing I want to go into but I do know that I will be staying in the Austin area for at least another 10 years or so. So, be honest, and tell me if I need to suck it up and go for the BSN right now. Or make me happy and tell me to get the ADN and slowly work toward the BSN after I am working.

Thanks for any advice.

I am in kind of the same situation. I had to take all the Science prereqs because mine are all over 5 years old. 30 years old to be exact. I have two Masters degrees and could have opted for an accelerated program to the BSN this year. However, for my family, I needed to slow down a bit. And I'm okay with that. I want to be the best nurse I can be and perhaps that will come while not adding extra stress to those I love so much. You have to weigh the needs of your family while making this crucial decision and I'm not saying you haven't. Don't hear me wrong. That is just what I did. I will focus on prereqs this year through next Summer and get into the accelerated program next Fall. I wish you the best in whatever decision you make and I'm sure you will be awesome!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Good to hear this is working out for you:). U likely have no problems finding employment since u are already enrolled in a BSN program. I've considered it , but due to my age and the fact that I also have to maintain full time employment , I see no way I could do work and school both.

It breaks my hear that after 34 years as a RN and every certification under the sun.......experience is not considered valuable. Even those of us that have the BSN are finding it difficult/impossible to find work. Personally, I think it's ageism. I think all of us old bats need to get together and file a class action suit.

Me? any further schooling, MSN, is not feasible as I will soon have 2 in college at the same time (late blomer:o)

I'm also surprised that no one has filed a class action against the colleges/profession for the ADN/ASN is accepted for entry level communication for EVRY state and Magnet does not require it, it encourages it strongly, as many nurses think......for not considering their education as sufficient/acceptable for possible fraud.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

The market in Austin is the toughest in Texas and one of the toughest in the nation to get employment as a new grad RN. Having a BSN will at least give you a fighting shot of getting work in a hospital.

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I appreciate all the advice. I must admit that I expected to be told to go for the BSN but I'm still coming to terms with the decision. It certainly increases the money I expected to spend by a huge amount.

Here is another question (I'm not trying to get the answer I want, I'm just curious). What are your thoughts on the BSN vs ADN if one doesn't necessarily aspire to work in a hospital? I know that it is certainly good experience to work in a hospital to gain a variety of skills. Again, I'm not sure of the area of nursing I would like to end up in. For instance, if one was interested in home health care, working in a doctor's office or clinic, etc. would anything change? Or do these fields all want hospital experienced nurses?

Thanks again for eveyone's thoughts. This is such a valuable resource for a big life decision!

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I have a diploma in nursing (3 years) and a BA in theatre and arts. I have worked as RN for 30 years. I have NEVER been told I do not qualify due to education. I have worked in 6 different states and 10 different hospitals. I am also a CCRN, CEN, and LNC. The CEN has more "clout" than anything.

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I graduated May 2012 with a BSN. Almost Every single hospital here in Dallas fort worth Texas now.requires you to have a BSN before even considering your application. Half of my class are still jobless and ia having a hard time finding a job with a BSN and since may is about the same, who wouldn't hire a BSN over a Associates. We are talking about new grad now, not someone with experience. The op is planning on.starting nursing school which means that they will be a new grad so you can't compare that to.someone with years of.experience. Also, the majority if the hospitals are.pushing lvns out of the hospital systems and RN's to have at least a BSN.

Now if u don't plan on working at a hospital, then you should be fine with a Associates since nursing homes, home health and community health doesnt require a BSN.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Eh, we hired one BSN and two ASN on my floor from the graduating class of May 2012 and hired only one person (me) from the graduating class of Dec 2011 and I have an ASN. It is more about who you know than anything else right now. There is no denying there is a push for people to get their BSN and the hospital is ponying up a lot of tuition reimbursement for the ASNs to finish up their BSN. Having a BSN is a step ahead but only a slight one in most places. ASNs are still able to get hired, but again....neither one get hired if you don't have connections or something that makes you stand out on your resume.

If you want to go the ASN route, make sure you are building connections all through school, preferably by getting hired on as a tech on a busy floor at your local hospital.

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