ADN or BSN degree???

[swoody]

I am a returning college student - I have a BS already and was a teacher for several years. I am going back to school for an RN career. I want to be a floor nurse, pediatrics, hospital setting. I was accepted into a BSN program that starts in August. But I have been taking my pre-reqs at a local community college and really like it there. The community college has an ADN program that is $6k, the BSN program is $13k. I am an older student - I have a mortgage, etc. I am trying to think about all aspects of this decision. Is earning a BSN worth that much more money? I would be out of school one year faster by earning my BSN, but I would not be able to work at all. So I would be living on financial aid. I am so scared it will run out!!! If I go the ADN route, my load would be lighter per semester, and I would be able to work some - as well as, my financial aid would go so much further because tuition is half the price. What is the better option here? Less money, or less time?

[Southern Magnolia]

I don't really see you're decision being a money/ time issue - I see it as an ADN/ BSN issue. Will you eventually want/ need to get a BSN if you go for the ADN now? In the long run that will be what will matter. If the BSN is faster then can you just take a year off or slow down with prerequisites and work and save. Then pursue the BSN while living off of savings? Then you'd have a BSN in the same amount of time you would have gotten an ADN and you will be financially more stable.

[BelleNscrubs04]

I think it depends on your area/region. Where I live ADN programs are not looked down upon and make just as much money. After they have experience they can often move up the ladder without a BS. Also in many places the fact that you already have a degree would make you eligible to compete with those who get their BSN. I have read many times on here how this isn't the case in some other regions or areas where it might be much harder to find employment or move up the ladder without a BSN. I want my BS but have chosen to get my ADN first because there are many good bridge programs here that are designed for those who are working as an RN. They are online and your "clinicals" are where you are working. Some hospitals will even pay for you to bridge after you are an employee for a while. It is a better decision financially for my family to do it this way.

[swoody]

I appreciate the feedback - I am going to talk to some nursing professors in the area and see what they say about RNs being hired, if having a BSN makes a difference or not. I like the idea of getting my BSN because I want as many doors opened as possible. BUT....financially, it is a much better decision for my husband and I for me to get my ADN and then work my way up at my job. I just don't want to give up my spot in a prestigious BSN program and regret it later if I can't find a job with only an ADN....make sense? I am really torn about this right now and I go back and forth every hour on my decision....ugh.