ABSN VS ADN

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Hello all,

I was recently accepted into 2 programs - one an ABSN program and another a ADN program. The ABSN program will run me approximately 60k for relocating and tuition, while the ADN program will be under 10k and I can live at home. The ABSN program is 15 months, while the ADN program is obviously 2 years. I am torn as to what to do - I definitely want to get a BSN, but I'm taken aback by the price tag for the ABSN program. The nurses I know in person tell me the BSN doesnt matter as much as people stress online, but I just worry I won't find employment without one. Of course, I've heard of those with BSNs who still had difficulty finding employment. If you were in my shoes, what would you do? Thanks for reading ?

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Hi there!

I had the exact same issue when I was trying to decide what program to go in to! I ended up going for my ADN, with the intention that as soon as the ink dries on my license, I'll enroll in the BSN and finish that up (and the employer helps pay for it). It will take me maybe 3-4 months longer doing it that way, but the income I will make working as an ADN while working on my BSN was a deciding factor for me, especially since (where I live) all new RN's go through the same nurse residency program and get paid the same. I even asked about employment opportunities for grads of the ADN program I am attending this fall, and they said they've had nurses hired all over the place in many specialties. The only place I've seen it make a big difference is in a larger "university" type hospital, where they prefer BSN and experience. Our hospital isn't a community hospital (it was a Level 3 NICU and is a trauma center); it's basically one step below the hospital that requires the BSN thing. I don't intend to move away anytime soon since I have a husband with a well-established career and a lot of kids, so that also played a factor. I just couldn't justify the extra debt when a little more patience would mean that I end up in the same place. ? Good luck with your decision!

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Hello! Thank you so much for your reply. That's an excellent thing to ask the ADN program- where their new grads get hired. I completely agree about being able to work while earning the BSN... my program offers a bridge program with a local university that is mostly online, which opens up the possibility of earning it while working. I'm also wondering if the fact that I have a BS already gives me a slight edge in hiring if I had just an ADN. Oh man, so much to think about!!

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I had a previous BA and ended up going the ADN-BSN route. I couldn't justify the cost of the ABSN. Think it was a $90k difference which I would have had to take out very expensive private loans to cover. It's taking me an extra year to get my BSN but totally worth the time.

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WOW that's an insane difference. I'm also hearing that getting your ADN first as opposed to straight BSN gives you more clinical experience and a really good foundation to build the BSN on. Thank you so much for.your input!

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5 hours ago, amas said:

WOW that's an insane difference. I'm also hearing that getting your ADN first as opposed to straight BSN gives you more clinical experience and a really good foundation to build the BSN on. Thank you so much for.your input!

In a ADN program you get a full semester of clinical versus the very crammed clinical of ABSN. Of course your clinical experiences may vary wildly between institutions and units.

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Specializes in MSICU.

I applied to and was accepted into a master's for entry to nursing (MEPN, similar to ABSN but at a master's level), the ADN program in my area, a traditional BSN, and a concurrent enrollment program like described above where I earn an ADN as the same time as a more advanced degree (in this case it is a MSN vs BSN). I chose the last. I turned down the MEPN immediately due to the cost and the intensity of the program which I felt lacked clinical preparation. I considered a straight ADN and BSN for the reasons you listed (cost savings vs being able to find a job more easily with a BSN), but ultimately chose the ADN-MSN program because I felt it offered the best balance of all those considerations (cost savings while completing the ADN and ultimately having the more advanced degree to make me marketable).

Out of your two choices I would HIGHLY recommend the ADN. Not only do you save 50k(!!!) but you will be a better prepared and safer nurse. And there are just so many options to move on to a more advanced degree in quick succession! Good luck on whatever you choose.

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I went for the ASN and I am now working in a major hospital. Before applying for my position, I made sure to have my ACLS certification. I also was enrolled in a BSN program.

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I'm in the same boat, I'm most heavily considering the ADN route because for the program I'm looking at there's a 2 year wait list which would give me time to pay off a lot of my debt that I already have, then I can get the ADN paying for it out of pocket at the community college, then hopefully get my RN and start working and have my employer help with doing most likely an RN to MSN program since I already have a bachelors degree. Going this route will also allow me time to repeat a lot of the pre-requisites that I technically have and the ADN program will count them, but they were taken 10 years ago, so I need to refresh my memory. I am still considering the program that @araew2129 mentioned and doing the ADN-MSN concurrent enrollment program, but I haven't decided yet.

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@stockmanjr that packed clinical sounds terrifying. I think personally I would do better beginning with an ADN program.

@araew2129 thank you so much for your input!! I would certainly be interested in an ADN-MSN down the road, and would much rather pay for that rather than these crammed courses. I thought it was a bit far-fetched to pay 40k for a BSN, not even an advanced degree. I fully agree that I would be a safer nurse after taking an ADN program and that in itself is enough for me to choose the ADN program.

@Nurse Pompom awesome advice!! I'll certainly look into that certificate. Ideally, I'd like to enroll in a bridge program immediately after my ADN program as I start to work ? thank you!!

@CamMc hey, that sounds like a smart plan! I too am potentially interested in an ADN-BSN program down the road. The more I look at it, the more I want an ADN first. Good luck to you!!

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I went for the much cheaper ADN. Th hen let the hospital pay for my BSN. Took longer time- wise,but the money saved cant be beat!

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I was in the same shoes, I had a bachelor degree in business then decided to go for RN. I chose to do my ADN instead because it was a better choice financially. I didn’t have any difficulty finding a job , within a month of passing my board I started working at a major Hospital. The Hospital does not pay more money if you have a BSN . I completed my BSN last year and the hospital paid everything because I went to a State University. I am very happy I made that choice. Now am applying for my MSN. Good luck!

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