No debating please, I already looked up the ADN vs. BSN debate on previous threads and don't want to be a cause of contention.
Hey everyone, I've only been on here for a couple of days and I already love it. I'm having major issues deciding what I want to do for school. I just found out a few days ago (by reading old threads from this board) that the ADN and BSN take the same ceritification tests and get paid the same and basically do the same job until the management roles. Where I live really limits my options because there aren't very many programs. Anyways, my dilemma is this: I almost have my liberal arts AA. Now I can go to a university and get my BSN, but it will take me until Dec 09 at $4300/semester. Or I can go to a community college and get my ADN and be done some time in 08, with much less money. Obviously I want to do the latter because I'm so sick of school, and I have kids. My husband wants to get out of the army, but he can't until I finish school. My husband is not convinced that I can get a job making enough money to support our family while he is in school with only a ADN. He is thinking that the more school you have, the more money you make. And really that makes sense, but I get the idea that that's not the case in the nursing profession. So I guess my question is, will I be able to find a job making good money with an ADN? Will it be hard for me to support my family with only an ADN? What jobs will I not be able to work at with only an ADN? Any advice about this topic would be greatly appericiated. I don't want to start a debate or anything, I just would like some advice and opinions. Thanks so much.
I'm getting my ADN. After that the hospital that I plan to work for has an RN to BSN program where you can work and have a social life while getting your BSN part time. This is my plan. There are also good RN to BSN programs online. It's a goal of mine to be a NP. I just don't want to be consumed by school. I plan to take classes at my own pace so that I don't have to sacrifice time with my family.
...Corvette guy, we're you enlisted in the army? I was a medic in the army for 3 years. Is nursing a little bit like that? My husband is enlisted, he wants to get out, but not until I'm done with school, so I'm trying to hurry as fast as I can.
tankandroxy -
Previous reply; Thanks to your husband for his military service... HOOAH! What is his [enlisted?] MOS/ [officer?] AOC?
Presently, I'm an officer in the USAR Army Nurse Corps. I accepted direct commission to 1LT on September 25, 2003. On April 3rd, I report for active duty to Madigan Army Medical Center on a volunteer 3 yr committment. I was enlisted active duty USMC from 1980-1988.
BTW, thanks to you, too, for your military service in taking care of our own. Were you with a CASH Unit when you were a Combat Medic?
My husband thought the same thing and what made it even worse, I already had 1 BS degree, so he figured I would just have to take a couple of classes and bam - I would be an RN with my BSN. Obviously that was wrong and it was going to take me 3 years to become an RN with my BSN. At the local CC I could have it done in 2 years and about 1/3 the cost. Obviously I went with the ADN route.
All roads lead to the NCLEX and that is true if you are a diploma, ADN or BSN grad.
i say get your ADN and let the hospital that hires you pay for the BSN. at the hospital I work at there is no difference in pay between ADN and BSN. at another hospital it is 20 cents per hour more for a BSN. also go to salary.com and look up what nurses make in your area. my hubby had issues too but when i showed that to him he shut up quick!!!
No disagreement with any of the prior posts, but I believe BSNs make more to start at the Veterans Administration Hosp and some state facilities. Only a concern if the VA has a hospital near you where you are planning to start.
Corvette guy, we're you enlisted in the army? I was a medic in the army for 3 years. Is nursing a little bit like that? My husband is enlisted, he wants to get out, but not until I'm done with school, so I'm trying to hurry as fast as I can.
I'm not corvette guy but I have driven one at 145 mph! I started as a CNA, then became a medic and a 91C...don't know if that designation has changed now or not. We were able to get our LPN license from that plus I challenged the California RN state boards and passed. Then I went to nursing school! The ARMY was a good start for me. So basically the 91C course was more like nursing than the 91 A & B medics. This was in the early 70s.
Specializes in Acute Care, and Dementia/Alzheimers.
Don't know fi this hasn't already been covered, but you can get your ADN/ASN and transfer to get your Bachelors. Or even get your bachelors online while working as an RN.
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Corvette Guy
1,505 Posts
Excellent plan!