ADN,RN... Did I make the wrong choice?

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Jul 25, 2011

I graduated from an ADN program in 1985, and have never regretted it, or needed anything else. I've worked the floor, charge, supervisor, and management in hospitals and nursing homes. A lot of the BSN requirements are regional, and the smart places don't knock it when a bona fide RN shows up and wants to work.

The BSN only debate has been going on for nearly 30 years. and they haven't ironed it out yet LOL.

An AAS, or Associates in Applied Science is what shows up on your diploma...it makes you an Associates Degree in Nursing.

:)

Enza · Jul 25, 2011

I graduated from an ADN program in 1985, and have never regretted it, or needed anything else. I've worked the floor, charge, supervisor, and management in hospitals and nursing homes. A lot of the BSN requirements are regional, and the smart places don't knock it when a bona fide RN shows up and wants to work.
The BSN only debate has been going on for nearly 30 years. and they haven't ironed it out yet LOL.
An AAS, or Associates in Applied Science is what shows up on your diploma...it makes you an Associates Degree in Nursing.
:)

you don't happen to work in Illinois do you?

Lots of people are saying that Illinois is starting to change into BSN only.

I have tried to research it, but like you said it hasn't been very ironed out yet and it's rather difficult to find a definitive answer.

newRN_NY · Jul 25, 2011

you can become an RN by either the associate's degree (adn) route or the BSN route. however, as a new ADN RN grad i have to tell you that the few hospitals that are hiring new nurses are only considering nurses with BSNs. i'm planning on going back to school in january to complete an RN to BSN program because that's what the hospitals want, especially since a lot of them want to achieve "magnet status". my adn program was a very good program...people say that our new grads do better on the floor than the ones form BSN programs in the area, it sucks that we are not considered now because we didn't shell out tens of thousands of dollars for our education and have a few less credits...but it seems we must change with the times. i'm not saying your adn program is the wrong choice...but i would suggest that in your final year you apply to some rn to bsn programs in the fall, just so you can get the bachelor's degree out of the way so you can compete with everyone else for jobs. best of luck!

Along12484 · Jul 26, 2011

you can become an RN by either the associate's degree (adn) route or the BSN route. however, as a new ADN RN grad i have to tell you that the few hospitals that are hiring new nurses are only considering nurses with BSNs. i'm planning on going back to school in january to complete an RN to BSN program because that's what the hospitals want, especially since a lot of them want to achieve "magnet status". my adn program was a very good program...people say that our new grads do better on the floor than the ones form BSN programs in the area, it sucks that we are not considered now because we didn't shell out tens of thousands of dollars for our education and have a few less credits...but it seems we must change with the times. i'm not saying your adn program is the wrong choice...but i would suggest that in your final year you apply to some rn to bsn programs in the fall, just so you can get the bachelor's degree out of the way so you can compete with everyone else for jobs. best of luck!

I can totally agree with that. I felt like I received an excellent education from the ADN program I attended. I went into the ADN program thinking that a nurse is a nurse, and that I could obtain my BSN later. The facility I am employed with is trying to acheive magnet status, and they are promoting verteran ADNs to obtain their BSN, and are giving new grad BSNs priority. I am currently in a BSN program, and to be honest, in many ways it is a waste of time. If I could have done it over again, I would have went with my BSN, and avoided a lot of headache. Another thing to consider, is that the ADN really limits you to floor nursing. Your more professional jobs that are managerial and educational require BSN or higher. So you may be an excellent nurse, but if you don't have that piece of paper more than likely you won't be getting any promotions.