ADN or BSN. Which should i choose? HELP

[marcopolo]

Hi everyone. I am a 21 year old male who is striving to become a nurse. I am applying to a adn program here in texas for fall 2011. I currently work in a hospital and I get mixed reviews about what I should do. The hospital I am working for is only hiring nurses with a bsn because they are working on going magnet.This hospital isn't even in the world renowned Texas Medical Center and they are only hiring BSN'S.There are about four bsn program here that I can apply to. They are all super competitive and cost way too much. The programs cost around 30K-50K. Some nurses tell me go straight for your bsn while your young especially since thats all hospitals are hiring. On the other-hand there are some rn's that tell me get your adn and gain some experience then go for your bsn. The adn program im applying to is about 8k for the whole program which sounds a lot more reasonable. I have a opportunity to get my bsn through uta online academic partnership which is about 16k. The only problem there is i think i might get looked down upon because its a online degree. My goals for the future are to become a nurse practitioner so going straight for my bsn sounds like the smarter thing to do.

So should I save money and get my adn? Get my bsn from uta online at a cost of 16k, or apply to one of the bsn programs where i would have to spend a ton of money and might not get accepted due to the high standards they have? Please help fellowing nurses/ inspiring nurses!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry if my spelling is off. It's 2 in the morning and I am dozing off!!

[on eagles wings, ASN, RN]

I wanted my BSN because the university I would be getting at is very top-notch. But it is also double the cost of what my local college is. I am going to get my ASN first, but will be working during NS as a PCT so that when I graduate, I will be more competitive and have a more well-rounded resume as other newgrads.

I think it depends on your personal situation. I would rather become an RN with the least amount of debt as possible. I will have my AA before NS starts so I can get my BSN right after graduation, if I want.

I suggest you look into special scholarship programs that consist of hospitals paying your full tuition as long as you work for them for 2-4 years, depending on what they paid.... you don't have to stress about school costs while studying, and you are guaranteed a job once your graduate.

Good luck. :) :)

EDIT:

I would like to add that I have similar aspirations as you in becoming an ANP.... you and I are young so we don't have to rush to get to our goals. NP school is expensive, moreso than undergrad obviously, so try to look ahead and plan accordingly. Like I said, everyone's financial and personal situation is different--I'm BROKE so I don't mind waiting a few more semesters/years to get to where I want. I hope it helps you and good luck! : D

[kjlewis76]

We are certainly in similar situations. Both broke, both have nothing but time on our hands, and wanting to do what's best!

I am wondering if I should attend a BSN school here in MO. It's called UMKC. It's a top notch school as well and I think it would look good on my resume to have gone there. With that being said, I'm enrolled in NAU here in Mo to get my ASN and I start March 9th. I felt confident about my decision.....until they started springing things on me. Like being forced to obtain a CNA licensure prior to applying to the nursing part of the school. That's almost $1k out of pocket. Who has that kind of money just laying around to get a licensure that you won't use? I mean won't use, because I'll never work as a CNA.

I'm not clear as to what kind of scholarships are affiliated with hospitals paying tuition. Do you have any more info on this? I would love to look into that. Is that something that you get after your ASN and you are working for them?