ADN to BSN?

[BigCSN]

ADN done! Now on to BSN?? Im debating this as Ive heard there really is no difference beween ADN and BSN in nursing. Ive done my reserch and am starting to believe it may be true. The pay really isnt much different, at least here in Idaho, and really it only opens doors for more adminstrative and office positions. I would eventually like to serve a medical mission or participate in a Doctors Without Boarders program and I understand you need your BSN for that. I guess my question is is there any benefit to getting your BSN in nursing??

[JillyRN]

Congrats on finishing your ADN! I too started with my ADN and recently finished up my BSN. From my experience, there is no immediate benefit. However, I live somewhere with a very competitive nursing market and many hospitals are moving towards Magnet status. A few no longer offer positions to ADN nurses and have set a timeline for their current nurses to obtain their BSN. BSN's are also now a requirement for military nursing and VA positions which was one of my biggest motivators. It was only a matter of 10 months and 8K in tuition. I also did feel I got a lot out of the program since I was able to apply current nursing experience to the courses, so they generally were more relevant. If your situation allows it, I say go for it!

[BigCSN]

Hey thank you! Thats the same situation where Im at with the nursing market going towards you needing your BSN. I might as well knock it out. More education wont hurt you. Plus, If I ever decide to go on and become an NP, ill only be that much more closer right? :)

[bigsick_littlesick]

I would eventually go back and get it. In general, you are more marketable and it can open more doors for you. JillyRN put it perfectly; a lot of hospitals are trying to get Magnet status and those hospitals move from BSN preferred to BSN required. If you want to go military like JillyRN and I, it's a no-brainer. I would try to go for a state school if you can as opposed to private, for-profit ($$$) schools. Sac State gives admission preference to those who are actively employed as an RN. I've still got 5 more classes till I can transfer to CSU system and then I can apply to RN-BSN program. Like I said, go for it and good luck!

[AZMOMO2]

Around here, where there are primarily Magnet hospitals, there isn't anything different with pay to the BSN, but if you want to work in a hospital they are pretty much requiring it before hire or if you do impress them enough to get hired, you have to sign a contract saying that you will get it with 2 years or so. The economy is totally supporting the goal to have entry level to RN be the BSN and many many places are pushing for this.

I graduated with my ADN in December and started my BSN course work yesterday. I was hired in Peds Med/Surg at a small hospital last week, but in order to get into the larger hospital systems my BSN will probably be the key to opening the door despite the experience I will gain from this job.