ADN or BSN for Future Masters Degree?

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Hi,

I wanted to see if anyone had advice on this...

I'm getting married this coming summer, but still trying to put myself through nursing school. My plan is to start a nursing program in the fall (if accepted, of course) after my wedding. I've been torn, though, between trying to get my bachelors in nursing first, or if I should do an ASN-BSN bridge program. I would definitely be wanting to get my bachelors degree later because I'm very interested in CRNA or FNP school. I know that's a long ways off, but the decision to go either into an ASN or BSN program has to happen pretty soon.

(I also don't want to put my fiance/husband out of any more money than I absolutely have to...)

So what I'm ultimately asking is, do CRNA schools and/or FNP schools look down on ASN-BSN bridge programs? Would I be able to get an ICU job as an ASN nurse while working on my bachelors degree? I know you need the ICU experience to apply to CRNA school, but what if I wouldn't be able to get the job as a 2-year nurse?

I'm not sure if this is even relevant information, but I do already have a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Alabama...not sure if already have a bachelors degree carries any weight at all.

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Since you already have a BA, you might look into Accelerated BSN programs.

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And I have, I just also want to consider his financial situation...I wouldn't be working while going back to school, and I'd really like to NOT take out loans, but if it's the best way to go (straight into bachelors, I mean) then I would try for that.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

If you have time and are willing to work at least several years before CRNA/FNP, it makes more sense financially to go ASN first (assuming that it's a community college with super cheap tuition). But ASN grads have a harder time getting jobs in acute-care settings even in med-surg, let alone ICU.

CRNA/FNP programs do not look down on ASN-BSN programs (at least I've never heard of that). Quite frankly, they'll probably look more closely at your ASN courses because they're nursing courses, compared to many fluff BSN courses (many are easy A's).

As for landing an ICU job with ASN, that really depends on the job market in your area. It's uncommon to land a ICU job right after graduation unless you already have some strong experience (e.g. medics, experienced ED/ICU tech). In my area, ASN grads have virtually zero chance to even land a job in med-surg or any other acute care/sub-acute setting. So with a ASN you might have to work in rehab or other less-desirable areas first, and even so, moving into acute care will be an uphill battle- but some people manage to do it. It might take you 1-2 additional years just go move into a critical care unit, and then you need the 2 years experience before CRNA.

Having a previous degree(s) does not matter whatsoever in nursing.

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If you already have a 4 year degree in ANYTHING I would skip the BSN if you are planning on getting a masters. But first, lay out all the prereqs you will need for RN school, and add that to the hours in an ADN program, then compare that to a BSN and I would pursue whichever path is shorter/cheaper. Talk to the BSN program advisor to see if your existing degree reduces the BSN requirements. ADN at community college is typically cheaper than a BSN. Most employers who want BSN really want a 4 year degree vs. an associate (2 year) degree. Bottom line, you don't need a BSN to go for a masters. By the time you add the science prereqs to your existing degree, you are basically only the ADN program away from a BSN equivalent from an employer perspective - in fact you would have much more. My bachelors was in pr and business. I still needed science and some prenursing before I could get into my ADN. I already had the writing, speech, math, and psych requirements. Good luck!

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I agree with the accelerated BSN program. Since you have a BA you would certainly qualify for it, it's just a matter of getting accepted into it. As far as graduate programs, I don't think they would look down on you at all for transitioning from ASN to BSN. In my opinion, that move proves that you're willing to better yourself and further your education. I will tell you that it may be very difficult to get a job into ICU as a new graduate ASN nurse. I worked in a very busy ICU in Atlanta as a new graduate (BSN) and there were quite a few ASN/ADN nurses, but they all had a lot of experience (15+ years). I can't speak about med-surg floors as I've never worked outside of ICU. As previously posted, it's all about the job market in your area. Some hospitals don't necessarily care about your degree, rather your understanding of what it takes to care for a high-acuity patient.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

I'm hoping to go for my masters in the very near future; I just graduated an AD RN-based program. I was glad to read a previous poster share that ADN/ASN transcripts would be reviewed more closely than BSN-based.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.
If you already have a 4 year degree in ANYTHING I would skip the BSN if you are planning on getting a masters. But first, lay out all the prereqs you will need for RN school, and add that to the hours in an ADN program, then compare that to a BSN and I would pursue whichever path is shorter/cheaper. Talk to the BSN program advisor to see if your existing degree reduces the BSN requirements. ADN at community college is typically cheaper than a BSN. Most employers who want BSN really want a 4 year degree vs. an associate (2 year) degree. Bottom line, you don't need a BSN to go for a masters. By the time you add the science prereqs to your existing degree, you are basically only the ADN program away from a BSN equivalent from an employer perspective - in fact you would have much more. My bachelors was in pr and business. I still needed science and some prenursing before I could get into my ADN. I already had the writing, speech, math, and psych requirements. Good luck!

I'm pretty sure that to be a CRNA you must first have a BSN, plus a couple years ICU experience. In order to get ICU experience you mostly need a BSN. It's not impossible to get an ICU job without a BSN, but almost. I'd put the CRNA part on hold first and concentrate on getting your RN first. There's an awful lot you have to do before you're eligible to apply for CRNA school. You'll need a BSN, a CCRN and some decent time in a high-acuity ICU. If you really want ICU then you really should be aiming for your BSN and not an ADN. You can get your ADN if you want but them might get stuck in a long term care facility or other out of hospital unit and then have a tough time trying to make the transition into acute care. I would personally go for the BSN if I were you.

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This is absolutely true. For CRNA school and NP school (not sure about other APRN fields or degree programs) you must have a BSN first, as well as the other criteria previously mentioned by Rocknurse.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Yes, you can get a job in the ICU as an ASN. I had to work in step-down for a year and get my ACLS certification before I could transfer to ICU. The whole time, I worked on my BSN. I just graduated last week. The best part about getting your ASN first is that you can work as a nurse while finishing your BSN and get valuable nursing experience in the process. When applying for FNP or CRNA, they do weigh your work experience as well as your undergrad GPA. Most CRNA programs require a year or more of ICU/critical care experience before your can apply.

Good luck to you :)

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Congratulations on your graduation! Are you in Atlanta by chance?

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We hear from a lot of students and pre-students who are dead certain sure they will be going to CRNA school or NP school (it used to be "mother-baby" was THE popular target). Just so you know, if all of them got their wish, there would be almost nobody doing anything else, LOL.

Reality is that while it's good to have a path in mind, you'd be wise to keep your peripheral vision on, because it is more likely than not that you will fall in love with something else entirely along the way. Besides, if a CRNA school has as a minimum requirement BSN + 2-3 years of critical care experience to consider you for admission, you can bet your bottom dollar there are a lot of BSN nurses with 5-8-10-15 years in critical care who are in line ahead of you. Just saying.

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