ADN then BSN?

Published

Hi everyone! i am a pre-nursing student at a 4 year uni located in CA. as all of you may know... 4 year universities are expensive. i am pulling out loans to pay for each semester. i just finished my freshman year and i am realizing that i am going to be in an incredible amount of debt once i finish, which is what everyone tries to avoid.

I have been thinking about transferring instead to a CC and get my ADN degree. however, i do have some questions. i know that hospitals do tend to prefer RN's with a BSN degree. I do want specialize in Pediatric Oncology/Hematology. with an ADN, will i still be able to work on at least a pediatric unit as a new grad? my goal to is to get a BSN degree, which will happen. also, do good hospitals like Kaiser offer jobs to RN's with an ADN???

P.S. i live in the los angeles area!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I'm not gonna lie: Student loan repayment sucks and is a drain on my soul . . . but the money I borrowed to get my BSN was worth it for how much I now make. You really need to look at how much debt you'll be in after finishing your degree and balance that with how you could make $100K+ as soon as you start working if you're willing to move to Northern California.

Other things to consider: Will you lose any time or credits transferring to a CC? Will you really go back to school at some point or get busy with life? How much time and potential money earned will be lost trying to find a job when employers prefer BSNs? How much is an RN to BSN program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello! I'm in the exact same position as you are. Only I just graduated from a CC & got accepted to start at a nursing program that's about $80k (private uni). I'm so torn & like you I aspire to go into pediatric oncology/hematology however my best friends mom is an RN in hr at a hospital in Southern California where I am from & she said they do not hire adn's in oncology period. Very disappointing for me.

Any other input appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm not gonna lie: Student loan repayment sucks and is a drain on my soul . . . but the money I borrowed to get my BSN was worth it for how much I now make. You really need to look at how much debt you'll be in after finishing your degree and balance that with how you could make $100K+ as soon as you start working if you're willing to move to Northern California.

Other things to consider: Will you lose any time or credits transferring to a CC? Will you really go back to school at some point or get busy with life? How much time and potential money earned will be lost trying to find a job when employers prefer BSNs? How much is an RN to BSN program?

Hello! If you don't mind me asking how much did you pull out in student loans & where at you located?

I got accepted to a BSN program where the tuition is $80k. I'm trying to make a decision on whether or not it's worth it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry.

Going into debt for school is tricky and I wouldn't recommend it unless you've exhausted every single option and/or there's a guarantee you'll pay it off in a realistic amount of time.

I graduated in June 2018 from a CC with a degree in nursing. I have ZERO debt from my CC. Will hospitals hire a new grad nurse with an ADN? Sure, why not. Will the pay and opportunities be great? Maybe or maybe not. Here's what I plan on doing, I will get my BSN online and work as an RN. In a year, I will be done with my BSN and I will have one year experience as an RN: this is a winning situation for me.

As a new grad, with a BSN or ADN, you're still a new grad regardless. You'll take what you can get. After about a year or two, you get more opportunities. The RN with a BSN may have an edge over the RN in terms of managerial positions, and in some hospitals, a BSN nurse will be preferred.

If you're worried about debt, then go to a CC and work on your BSN immediately so you can have both work experience and your Bachelor's degree and be on the same playing field as those with a BSN.

Nursing school is stressful and if you're already stressed when you go in, that's just a nightmare. I hope whatever decision you make, you're happy with it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

also, do good hospitals like Kaiser...

Really now...:no:

with an ADN, will i still be able to work on at least a pediatric unit as a new grad? my goal to is to get a BSN degree, which will happen. also, do good hospitals like Kaiser offer jobs to RN's with an ADN???

I do understand you are a pre-nursing student; however, rather than focusing on which degree to get, focus more networking, getting hospital experience, and getting your foot in the door. To put it plain and simple, ADN and BSN will get you a job in specialties like oncology and pediatrics at MOST hospitals. As long as their is a job opening and the hiring person likes you, you will get the job. Just like any other occupation.

BSN however, is required for magnet hospitals in California and Kaiser only hires BSN RN's as far as I know. Most "regular" hospitals will hire both ADN and BSN nurses. You will learn later during the job searching process as a new grad that you degree may mean nothing compared to your interview skills, your work experience, and your networking skills as well as the people you know in that hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion