ADN or BSN??? I’m confused.

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Specializes in Pre Nursing.

I am currently enrolled at a 2-year community college taking my prerequisite courses so that I can apply to the nursing program. The nursing program at my school is an ADN program, but once I finish all my prerequisites this year, I will already have an associates degree in health science. If I apply to the nursing program at my school and graduate, will I have another associates degree or will it be a BSN? This may be a dumb question.. but I need clarification.

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You will have an ASN, a second associates degree (or an AAS). The BSN can only be granted by institutions designated to grant bachelors degrees, a four year school (usually). After you get your ASN and RN license, you apply to a four year school and take more courses to obtain the BSN.

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Specializes in Pre Nursing.

Thank you!! That made things much more clear. Do you think I could just go straight into a BSN program after I graduate community college? Would it be easier? I’m just trying to decide what’s my best option. I definitely haven’t done my research like I should have ?

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Nowadays most people take what is called an “RN to BSN” course, usually online. In the old days (when I went to school), RNs from diploma and ASN programs entered a traditional BSN program for, say, the last two semesters.

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I would go straight into a BSN program and get it over with, for several reasons.

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Some schools will also do a Community Bridge program for community college students. There’s a university around me in the Philadelphia area that allows students who have received a health science associates from Community College to get accepted right into their BSN program and finish within 2 and a half years. If you do decide to stay at your Community College to finish your associates in Nursing, you could then apply after graduation for an RN to BSN program at a various of different schools, even complete that online in as little as 12 months. You have options.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Trauma.

I graduated with an AAS in September 2019 and once I passed my NCLEX-RN, I started my RN-BSN online in November. It was nice to dive in while still in the swing of things. I was lucky to already work for a hospital organization as a CNA that will hire ADNs into their residency program, but that’s not usually the case in my area (Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA). If a hospital is your ultimate goal, I would dive right into your BSN if possible.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
On 1/18/2020 at 12:07 AM, madeybarbourr said:

Do you think I could just go straight into a BSN program after I graduate community college? Would it be easier?

This depends on you. Ultimately, earning a BSN should be your goal. Community college will most likely cost less, and if you eventually go on to earn your BSN by going to a RN-BSN program (one that is reasonably priced), you will have less in student loans. Of course some hospitals offer tuition reimbursement so that could be a good option too in the event you accrue loans.

If you are able to get into a BSN program right away, and you can afford it, please go for it.

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