ADN or BSN?

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I really wanna be an RN. I just need to decide on where to get it from! I realized an ADN will take 3 years, not 2 because of the pre-reqs. Will a BSN take 4 or 5 years? If it only takes 4, should I just go on and do the extra year to get a bachelor's degree?

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OP, search those very terms (upper right on screen) there are many, many, many exhaustive threads on this topic. :up:

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I went back to college @ 40 to become a Nurse.... that was MY mid-life crisis *hee hee* I went to a local community college and obtained my ASN and it has served me well...... several things to consider:

1. We all sit for the same state boards

2. Starting pay difference is less than $1/hour in my experience

3. If you are anxious to get to work, go for the 2-year degree and then get in with an employer that will offer tuition benefits for you to continue your education!!!

Personally, I look forward to my employers helping with tuition support as I am planning to continue through to my Master's......

It is a very rewarding career, no matter which path you choose!!!

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in ICU, Informatics.

I have researched this extensively and what it comes down to is for you to put value on a few variables.

1) Are you guaranteed to get into both schools THIS year? Every school is different, but in some cases it is easier to get into an ADN prog. This would mean that you finish 2 years sooner ($50,000/year X 2 = $100,000 that you have pocketed before your BSN friends have even started working).

2) Tuition. Where I live, ADN program est. cost is $10,000- $20,000 total. While BSNs run more towards $50,000- $100,000.

3) Availability of jobs in your area. How easy is it for new grad RNs in your area to find jobs? All things equal, BSN prepared nurses will be chosen first for jobs. Also, it's my anecdotal opinion that BSN programs do a better job of marketing their grads to potential employers. Also, some jobs (think military, government, community based, management) require BSN for entry.

4) Pride. Some ADN nurses have inferiority complexes to BSNs, this may or may not be your situation. Also, some people just like the university experience and all that goes with it.

5) Quality of education. It's my opinion that there is no difference here. In both cases your education is dependent on your own initiative. You will take more population based courses with BSN, while ADN is much more focused on hospital based nursing. There are studies out there that say BSN nurses are better "critical thinkers", take that for what it's worth...

6) Advanced practice nursing. If you want to get your masters you need a Bachelors degree (there are some ADN to MSN progs out there but they all include extra classes that you need to take).

Here is my situation. I applied as soon as I could to ADN and BSN progs while I was still working on my prereqs. I had a 4.0 but didn't have all the classes out of the way for the BSN, but did get accepted to an ADN prog. I also worked part-time as a CNA in an ICU (where I wanted to end up working). Instead of waiting an extra year and re-applying, I went for the ADN.

I graduated last June and already had a job lined up in the ICU where I worked as a CNA. This past January I started an online ADN to BSN prog which will probably take me about 2 years to finish if I continue to work full-time.

The numbers just added up for me to go with the ADN, but you have to run the numbers for yourself.

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I have researched this extensively and what it comes down to is for you to put value on a few variables.

5) Quality of education. It's my opinion that there is no difference here. In both cases your education is dependent on your own initiative. You will take more population based courses with BSN, while ADN is much more focused on hospital based nursing. There are studies out there that say BSN nurses are better "critical thinkers", take that for what it's worth...

.... I COMPLETELY agree with this point! Great info overall & well-stated!!!!!:up:

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I got an ASN degree almost 20 years ago and my advice, that unless you already have a Bachelor's, is to get a 4 year degree. Yeah, there's no difference in the quality of the nurse, yada, yada, yada. BUT a BSN opens a lot of doors that a 2 year degree won't. You can continue with your Master's without skipping a beat, you are more marketable and you can get jobs that ASN degreed nurses can't, and let's face it, more respect is accorded to the BSN. That's just the way it is. I believe eventually the ASN/ADN will go the way of diploma schools and maybe that's for the best. Teaching is another female dominated profession that's experienced notorious shortages yet they've fought tooth and nail not to relax educational and professional standards. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in ICU, Float RN , Quality & PI.

BSN will open a lot more doors for you. Go for what fits your life best.

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Specializes in Army Medic.

If you need money now, go ADN - just keep in mind a lot of nurses go with there good intentions of continuing into a BSN, but find the work load and stress of the job to be too much to fit school in once they're working.

As has already been stated, you'll make money faster getting an ASN - in terms of the actual Nursing courses there is not much difference in education.

I am personally going BSN for a few reasons.

1. Educational development, I'm well aware that high stress jobs coupled with school can cause a major melt down. I don't want to go into nursing with an ADN and regret never moving onto my BSN.

2. You get a more broad education in regards to general development going with a BSN, there is more elective course work required. I think this is why studies show students with a BSN are better critical thinkers, they simply spent more time in college - and are more well rounded because of additional course work. (Foreign language, additional math, extra English classes, ect.)

3. More and more employers are listing a BSN as a requirement for new grads. You'll have more job opportunities, and in a field that is very competitive right now (don't believe the nursing shortage stuff you read) having a BSN puts your application on top of everyone else with an ADN - assuming you're all equally qualified in other fields employers take into consideration.

4. The pay difference is not much - but if you plan on bridging into a Masters program, already having that BSN can mean the difference between your employer allowing tuition repayment or not.

5. You will promote faster in the work field with a BSN, period. Most Hospitals I know of do not allow management positions without a Bachelor's degree.

Just keep in mind it's a competitive field right now. A lot of new graduates are spending months out of school before they can't find work. The stronger your resume, the better your chances of finding a job.

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I hope you are able to process all the info you are getting here....!!! And, ultimately, yes - - you will decide on what fits you and your needs best at this time.....

I can offer one other tidbit.... with regards to the "status" and "open doors" offered by the BSN, it is true... however, for me personally, having that and an MSN as my future goals, it was the ASN that got me up & running & working & earning SOONER... A BSN opens doors to management and educational positions that most new Nurses simply aren't ready for until they get a few years experience under their belts anyway.....

Personally, I am working on both my clinical skills and education so that when it all comes together over the next couple years, I will be ready and more well-rounded in all aspects of being a REGISTERED NURSE... :rckn:

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Specializes in ICU, Float RN , Quality & PI.

depending on what you want to do with your nursing career, a bsn is required in some facilities for certain positions and money can be a drastic difference. For example, I work in Float pool. Qualifications at my facilty to work in float are RN, BSN with atleast 3 years clinical experience certified in acls, pals, and tncc. the pay for this position starts at a significant rate higher than other staff. HAve to have BSN to work as float at my hospital. All hospitals are diferent, but it is a HUGE $$$$$$ difference in pay where i work. I do belive the difference on floors from adn and bsn are not much. just fyi for you to think about.

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Specializes in ICU, Float RN , Quality & PI.

in the end a nurse is a nurse either program doesnt make you any better or worse than the next. you need to choose what fits your life best and if it is adn and you have a future goal of bsn or msn good for you. You will make the right descision. Good luck with what ever you choose!!!!

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