ADN or BSN?

Pedsnurse77 · Jul 20, 2012

I am working on my masters. My job or the respect I earned from it hardly, if at all, changed as I moved up ( I started as a cna, Lpn, RN etc)

Nursing is hard. Looking back at the overall scheme of things. I don't think my patients would have treated me different if I was an np already. neither would coworkers. You really can't tell who has what degree on our floor. We are all scrambling, regardless of what college of graduation.

SaraMC · Jul 20, 2012

I kind of share your thinking, or at least the impression you have, is similar to what I am thinking. I am putting myself through nursing school. I am quitting my full time, well paying job to do this. I want it to be worth it all in the end and I'm not sure which path I should take either. I have ADN on my college application but I also want to work as a nurse and start my career before too long. I feel "old" to just now be in college(I'm 23), but my unprofessional opinion would be to do whatever puts you as ease. You can always work towards your BSN I hear, once you've accomplished your associates. good luck in your decision making!

subee, MSN, CRNA · Jul 20, 2012

Search the job market where you want to work. What do the hospitals there want? I ate a lot of peanut butter and went for BSN and never regretted it. But that's just me. One formula for the amount of debt you should take on is 1 year's salary for the job you expect to get. So if you can afford to finish a BSN without more than a year's salary, I'd take the community college route. I always knew I would probably go on for MSN and already had BA so going for ADN made no sense. It took me 3 years and I was able to work.

Saysfaa · Jul 20, 2012

I checked this out. Around here it depends on the school rather than the degree. The worst of the ADN programs don't have much respect, neither to the worst of the BSN programs. The best of the ADN programs have as much respect as as the best of the BSN programs (and much more than the run of the mill BSN programs in the area).

Plan A is to get a ADN from my school (which has the best ADN program in the area). This will get me an RN at less than a third the cost of a BSN (because it needs fewer credits, each credit costs less than half as much and it is 5 miles away instead of 20 so will cut down on transportation costs). It will also allow me to start making RN wages a year sooner. Then work as an RN for a few years to save up money to go through a bridge program to a BSN - if I decide I want a BSN. Even if I knew for sure I wanted a BSN, I'd pick this way to get it.

lovedijah · Jul 20, 2012

You seem sold on not getting the adn. I definately wouldn't get a degree I was questioning or worried about. If you have the chance, go for your bsn. Although I do think, yes, you'll be fine starting off as a adn. People looking down on you? These will probably be other nurses who arent paying your bills and need to get hobbies. But actual people who have the ability to give you a job? I just dont see them frowning at adn's, unless they flat out only hire bsn's. But you may want to work in a nursing home, and your adn will be fine. But again, I wouldn't get a degree I was questioning or had concerns about.

Halcyonn · Jul 20, 2012

Have you researched the hospitals in your area? Do they hire ADN grads? The reason I decided on an ADN over a BSN was that the ADN program where I live is highly respected in my area. The local hospital gives scholarships to rising seniors in the nursing program. They hire ADN's under the expectation that you will obtain your BSN within a certain amount of time. And, they help you do that through tuition reimbursement. I always planned to get my BSN, so if someone wants to help me pay for it...well...I'm all over that! :)

libran1984, ASN, RN · Jul 20, 2012

Talk about ADNs not getting much respect, try being an LPN in this progressive world of nursing- talk about underappreciated.

I was on allnurses.com reading some interesting articles about some of the disrespect towards the ADN RN. There was rumor some people were wanting to change their "Registered Nurse" title to "Technical nurse" and leave the BSN RNs as "Registered Nurses". HA!

What elitism.

zoe92 · Jul 27, 2012

I agree with Subee about checking out the job market. Honestly, where I live ADNs are getting asked to get a BSN. BSNs are more likely to get hired over an ADN, even one with more experience. Do you plan on eventually getting a BSN? If so, why not just do it now?

devyn renee · Jul 27, 2012

I would say don't limit yourself on the type of degree you will be seeking. Regardless, an RN with a BSN and an RN with an ADN are both RN's and in almost all situations the make the same pay. Apparently some hospitals are only interested in hiring BSN's but is definitely not the case for all facilities everywhere. Finish all your pre reqs, apply to as many nursing schools as possible, and then pick from there once you gain acceptance.

I personally am only applying to ADN programs because they have significantly higher nclex pass rates than the BSN programs in my area and they will be much easier to get into as a transfer student. Also, I have been volunteering in a mid-sized hospital for about a year now and the majority of the nurses, including the new hires, are ADN nurses. Our facility actually recruits new grads from certain local CC's (and not the universities) because they are well known for producing awesome nurses. I would say do your research and go for the degree offered by the best school of nursing you can get into, that will most likely be your best bet.

KLBatchelor · Jul 28, 2012

The positions I have looked into want you to HAVE your BSN or be working towards it. I am looking to get into an ED position after completion of my ADN while I'm finishing my BSN online. I know different fields and different hospitals prefer different things but through my mind, this way is most effective. Hope this helps!

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2012

I know in my community the ASN's that come out have as much or MORE respect as the BSN's down the street. My program highly emphasizes clinical skills and hands on time. The students in the BSN program observe everything but do not actually touch patients. While the main hospital in my town wants BSN's, they absolutely are hiring the ASN's because they're ready and paying for them to become BSN's. Definitely find out what's going on in your area and go from there.