ADN or BSN

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Hello everyone. I currently already hold a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development & Family Science. I graduated in 2010 and now I am thinking I want to go back to school to become an RN. Now my dilemna is whether to enroll in community college for cheap and get that ADN in one year or less so I can sit for the NCLEX and work for awhile...OR to just go for one of those accelerated BSN programs (expensive as crap) which would take 1-2 years. I already have 60k loan debt from my first degree, so the cheap ADN route is appealing to me. But my ultimate goal is to become an NP, so maybe getting the BSN now and not bothering with the ADN would be best. My plan was to get the ADN and get employment (hopefully) at the hospital so they will pay for me to go through the BSN-MSN program as I work as an RN. This plan would save lots of money and then my BSN-MSN would take a total of 3 years. Is this the best plan, or will it be difficult to obtain an RN job with the ADN? I am trying to make the most financially smart decision based on all the debt I already have and the fact that I am young (23) and have time. Thanks!

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I had a degree in public administration as well before I became a nurse. Just get a quick 2 year degree, become a nurse and finish the bsn online if you like. Thats what I did. It worked out very well for me. Applying to jobs with an ADN and my first degree really made me stand out in the crowd. Most nurses dont have education in other fields. I was able to pay for my bsn without taking any loans. The ADN easily pays for itself as well as the bsn. Take advantage of it before they get rid of it. National Nursing organizations want the ADN phased out to prevent too many people from too easily becoming nurses.

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My goals are similar to yours (eventual NP) and like you, I also hold non-nursing degrees (BA & MBA). I opted for the ADN route and am in the process of completing my BSN on-line now. This is by far the least expensive option: An ADN through a local CC should be in the $7-$8k range an an on-line RN-BSN program will run only $1 or $2k more than that. Even adding in the costs of textbooks and equiptment, your total to get the BSN this way will be well under $20k. Without the BSN, you will need to take bridge classes for the MSN which are charged at the graduate tuition rate and can run upwards of $10k - and you won't get a BSN in the process. Also, keep in mind that you will want some practice time as an RN before going for the MSN and these days, you will probably need the BSN to secure a nursing job.

Bottom line: I second Blackman_RN's suggestion but caution that you may have difficulty finding that first nursing job as an RN with an associates degree, depending on your location.

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thanks everyone :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Good advice above if finances are the consideration. I'm confused as to the timeline however, the ADN is one year? The accelerated BSN is 1 -2 years? Most ADNs withoutt pre-reqs take at least 1 year 9 months, unless it's an accellerated ADS.

All the best!

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Specializes in Neurology.

It might cost a little more, but go for the BSN. It took me 9 months to find a job after I graduated with my ADN and I would not have gotten the job that I currently have without an inside reference.

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This is a timeline based on the fact that I forgot have a BS degree and many of the science prereqs all I would need is the nursing courses which I could finish in a year

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
This is a timeline based on the fact that I forgot have a BS degree and many of the science prereqs all I would need is the nursing courses which I could finish in a year

*** I really doubt it. Have you spoken with the nursing program counselor or some other person in the program who told you that? I am not saying that such a thing doesn't exist but I have never heard of it.

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I've only ever heard of programs that are at least 4-5 semesters of just nursing coursework. This is both ADN and BSN. If there ARE programs that can be completed in a year, I would absolutely die from the workload.

That being said, considering your debt, personally I would go with the cheapest route.

I have some student loan debt from my Master's degree and, after getting accepted to the two programs I applied for, the husband and I chose the one that we could afford to pay for out of pocket.

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thanks for all the advice!

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Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING ON YOUR TIMELINE. . .

Even if all your pre-reqs are in order

1. Most schools require you to be FULL TIME STUDENT.

2. Even if you choose ADN, NUR1100 NUR 1200 NUR 2100 NUR 2200 Cores are going to take TWO YEARS.

3. The fact you think you can get a BSN in 1 year, NOW THATs JUST HILLARIOUS:yeah::yelclap::rotfl:

4. Good Luck, but by all means, please, . . .

TAKE YOUR TIME!!!!!

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yes, that's really a kind of dilemna, hard to make decision . but everything is changing now, and the government policy is also changes , so don't think too much. since nobody would know what will happen tomorrow.

what we can do is to make no regrets for today; make great plan tomorrow; think about two days after now . that's ok !

so maybe we should not plan too much in this changing world, right ?

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