ADN vs BSN--advice

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I know this is a common debate amongst nurses, but I need some advice.

Should I apply for the traditional ADN program or the Momentum 2+1 program and graduate GMU with my BSN?

What would you do? I don't work, and money isn't a problem, I just feel guilty.

No matter what, I want to get my BSN. I just can't decide if I should do it now, or after I get my RN. My plan so far has been to just get the ADN, start work and go back to school within the next few years (most likely at GMU). But everyone says the GMU accelerated program is very hard and demanding and the nurse taking care of me at the ER last weekend said she wouldn't recommend the accelerated BSN through GMU. I didn't ask why, but she did mention that she isn't married and doesn't have kids...

I mostly feel pressured to get my BSN right away because I am scared that I will have a hard time finding a job without my BSN. Mind you, I won't graduate until at least May 2011, so the current state of the economy might or might not be irrelevant.

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Always a good debate,lol! My reasoning is let the hospital pay for my BSN! I (hopefully) graduate this May with my ADN. Take a year or two away from school, then get back to work on the BSN. Most hopsitals have some sort of education reimbursement, so why not take advantage of that? NVCC is a fairly inexpensive program, its around what $90 a credit, and one requires around 70 credit?(Too lazy to look it up online,lol) so thats around $6300.00 (plus books) You ask around at the hospitals, lots of nurses started with their ADN, and many from Nvcc! The NVCC accelerated program does sound interesting. I know NVCC does have a good rep with the hospitals. Best of luck

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Well, the good news is that I have 2 more months till I HAVE to make a decision!

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Always a good debate,lol! My reasoning is let the hospital pay for my BSN! I (hopefully) graduate this May with my ADN. Take a year or two away from school, then get back to work on the BSN. Most hopsitals have some sort of education reimbursement, so why not take advantage of that? NVCC is a fairly inexpensive program, its around what $90 a credit, and one requires around 70 credit?(Too lazy to look it up online,lol) so thats around $6300.00 (plus books) You ask around at the hospitals, lots of nurses started with their ADN, and many from Nvcc! The NVCC accelerated program does sound interesting. I know NVCC does have a good rep with the hospitals. Best of luck

69 credits (of course plus all the prereq for prereq lol!!!) So far, for me it will be 69+19 and it is $98.XX per credit now!!!! And the plus book very important factor!!!It's adding up like crazy!!!!!

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Still a lot less than what a 4 year program would cost! For what the whole NVCC program costs, plus books, is less less than what some pay for 1 semester at 4 year program!! Not saying the 4 year program is not the way to go, just throwing info out there! And one has to ask, is nursing truly recession proof?? SOem hospitals do have hiring freezes on, sendign nurses home if the census is low. Sure there wil be jobs, but maybe less desirable positions.

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Still a lot less than what a 4 year program would cost! For what the whole NVCC program costs, plus books, is less less than what some pay for 1 semester at 4 year program!! Not saying the 4 year program is not the way to go, just throwing info out there! And one has to ask, is nursing truly recession proof?? SOem hospitals do have hiring freezes on, sendign nurses home if the census is low. Sure there wil be jobs, but maybe less desirable positions.

So funny I went to check on gmu website right after posting this is crazy expensive $313 per credit!!!! Scary about the freezing:(

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I was looking at another local 4 yr program and was over $10,000 a semester

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If you already have an undergraduate degree in another subject, the accelerated programs make great sense. The ABSN program at George Mason can be completed in 12 months, the one at VCU in 15 months, and the Direct Entry MSN at UVA is 24 months long.

The typical ADN/diploma program is about 2 years beyond the prereqs, then add 1-2 year for the RN-BSN on top of that. The tuition might be higher at the 4-year programs, but you could get the BSN in less time (and pehaps less $$) than the AD + RN-BSN route.

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So funny I went to check on gmu website right after posting this is crazy expensive $313 per credit!!!! Scary about the freezing:(

Hey, that is about what I pay per credit @ NVCC! ^%$#* government making veterans pay out-of-state tuition, I SWEAR

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