ADN OR BSN

Opinions??

Hello,

I am having a very difficult time deciding if I want to pursue an Associates Degree in Nursing or Bachelor's? I graduated High School in 2010, when I was 17. I decided to attend a community college and was unsure about my major. During my second semester I decided to major in Nursing. I had to retake the human anantomy courses because I wanted to earn more points. My current college offers a nursing program which is RN ADN. While in school I took all my pre-requistes for a University, but decided not to apply due to financial problems. In three years I focused on the prerequistes on my current college and the future university I wish to attend. I took a phlebotomy course because I wanted to gain experience and was part time last year. For some reason I just feel like a failure. I feel I should have already graduated. ( I have earned my Associates in Science for General Studies but still attend the same 2 year community college) I recently applied for the Fall 2013 RN day program and will find out in about two weeks if I was accepted. But today I looked into the University I always wanted to attend and I am eligible to attend the BSN nursing program if I do get accepted which will have to be for Spring 2013 (fall due date has passed). Now my concerns are if I do get accepted for my current college program which will be two years that will be 5 years in a community college or should I apply aat the University and pray I get accepted into the program for Spring 2013?

Graduated High School 2010

Community College 2010-present

ADN program at current college total of 2 years and then transfer to University and attend 1 year to earn BSN (ADN to BSN) ?

BSN program at University total of 2 years since I have my prerequisites completed.

(If I do get accepted for the ADN program for fall should I accept and still apply for BSN program and see if I get accepted and then drop?)HELP!! I am sorry if I made no sense.

Thank you,

*** If you can swing it do the BSN. Jobs are very scarce for new grads and many are unemployed but new grads with ADNs are at a disadvantage. Many hospitals prefer to hire BSN grads and a few even require a BSN to apply.

You chances of being unemployed when you graduate are very high, the BSN might decrease the chances a little bit.

Here's my story....if it helps....

-Bachelors Degree in Economics 2002

-business world 2002-2007, owned a business some of that time

-volunteer firefighting because I was bored, and became an EMT-Basic

-oops, figured out what I want to do when I grow up (from firefighting...medical calls, car wrecks, rescues, etc)

-looked at paramedic vs prof firefighting vs nursing......nursing has best pay and growth potential...

-Sold my business, became a CNA for experience, applied to LVN/LPN school (because I couldn't afford to do a full RN program)

-2009 finished LVN school and began working as LVN in a nursing home (earning a modest but reasonable living)

-2011 finished my bridge program to my RN, worked in hospital med-surg

-2012 moved into critical care as RN

-at present..... working critical care (and loving it) and making around 125K/year between primary and PRN job. (I work a lot)

-at present..... working on BSN, then on to MSN from there.

......You do not have to start at the top. You can start at the very bottom and hit every step on the way up like I did (if that is what you have to do). If you can go straight for BSN (time, money, debt, etc), then that is the best option. But for someone like me, who went back to school as an adult with family/bills/mortgage/debt/etc, there are other ways to get there.

Yes, employers will prefer a BSN vs ADN. Yes, LVN/LPN jobs are limited. But, yes, you can start at any of these points and work your way up if you want/need to.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have questions.

Michael, RN

If you can financially swing it and feel confident that you can do it, go for your BSN. Many hospitals are hiring BSN grads in the entry level, check out your local hospitals to see what nursing requirements are involved in the job postings. If you can't financial handle the BSN route, and you have the opportunity to get hired as an ADN, you can always work for a couple of years then do a bridge program to obtain your BSN. Good luck.

Further, If I can add a couple of other thoughts....

If you are in school, and making decent grades, and moving forward with your education, you are absolutely not a failure. You have to let go of the pride/ego issues on this stuff. It sounds like you are very motivated and know what you want. If you spend five years in a community college and become an ADN/RN, the day you hit the floor and are responsible for another person's life, you are still an RN and still have the same responsibilities. We used to say in firefighting that "fires burn just as hot for volunteers." A firefighter is a firefighter and a nurse is a nurse. I don't know where most of my co-workers went to school, and I don't care. As long as you make sure you are a good nurse, the patient will not care where you went to school.

There is no such thing as "wasted education," and all these experiences and classes will be part of you as you move forward in life. I struggled a little with feeling like I should have figured out nursing years ago, and not wasted time. But, here I am, and all of my past life experiences, both good and bad, have built the character I have today, and made me the man/nurse (murse, if you will) I am today. Hang in there and continue to work for what you want. If you can do BSN, do it. If you have a quick path to your RN/ADN, no harm done there either. The patients are just as sick for ADN's as for BSN's. Also, I have worked with BSN's who were clueless, and I have worked with LVN's with whom I would trust my life. While the educational component is important, it is your hard work, dedication, discipline, drive to learn, experience, and motivation to succeed that will make you a good nurse.

...I'm just sayin'.....

I would go for the BsN and start in the spring.

It took me 12 years to get my BSN...I went to CC, tried the CC nursing program, did not pass, phlebotomy course, dusted myself off, prereq's, PN program, filed to get my Associates in case something happens-helped with my Bachelors degree ; no retakes; sciences I CLEP those through Execlsior, ALL while employed as a LPN, got into a Bachelor's program and graduated last year; licensed a year next week!

It will take you five years AND??? At the end you will be a bachelor prepared nurse...you will be able to go into any market, and if you decide to go further, you already will have the entry level degree.

Continue running your own race; success is NOT easy or done on a "schedule", lol....I forgot to add I stopped my studies because of a very serious life altering event I had...setbacks happen, but if you have the ability to continue your goals, claim it, and walk tall!

Personally I think the ADN is the best way. Its a fraction of the cost of a BSN. Once you get yout ADN you can do an online BSN in 1-1.5 yrs and still be WELL under the cost of a universty BSN program. You can get an RN job with an ADN. You can't be picky. You may have to settle for LTC or a less desireable unit.......so what.......put your dues in for a few years, get your BSN, then get a good hospital job and you're all set. The cost of an ADN + Online RN to BSN is roughly 20-25k. The total cost of a university BSN will likely be 50k plus. When you start paying those loans off you will be glad to have saved all that money.

I had the exact same exp. I graduated highschool in 2010 @ 17. Did some college classes during high school. Did a year getting pre-req's. started nursing school at a community college fal 2012 (much cheaper) and just graduated from nursing school May 9th 2013. Became a licensed RN May 22nd 2013!!!!! I'm 20 now!!!!!

I don't regret going the ADN route, but I also didn't have quite all of the university BSN prereqs, so it worked out for me. I start my RN to BSN at WGU in July and am estimated to be finished in 13 months (August 2014).

I have a full time job that I will start in my "dream" specialty, CVICU, that starts on July 15th. I currently have a PT/PRN home health job I just started to start getting experience and have a little cash in my pocket.

In the end I have saved myself time and money. I will still graduate in 2014 with my bachelors (although a few months later) just like I would have if I had gone the traditional 4year university route. However, unlike many who will be Grady's with their BSN in May of 2014, I will have a BSN and a year of nursing experience.

However, because you already have the university prereqs it will be the same amount of time to complete either program. It would be logical to go ahead and get the BSN, if your finances will allow you too. However, you will not miss out by any means if you go to Good ADN program either.

I want to thank everyone who took their time to give me some great advice.

Today I spoke to an advisor and I feel so much better about my future plans. I want to wish everyone luck out there.

Blessings

Until recently the ADN then RN to BSN offered ridiculous advantages over the traditional 4 year BSN. When ADN grads were very competitive for new grad jobs it wasn't even a question what was better for most people.

Now however ADNs are at a disadvantage when it comes to getting that first job, particularly in the in demand fields like ICU and ER. Now on problem I see with the ADN then RN to BSN it is leaves one ineligible for the many residency programs. They are not eligible as new grads for lack of a BSN and in a year or two when they have BSN in hand they no longer qualify since they are no longer new grads.