ADN VS. BSN In Los Angeles

[incognito_in_LA]

I am currently taking my prereques for nursing at the junior colleges. I want to be a nurse, that is without question. However, I could use a little advice in regard to which educational path to take.

About me, well am a male turning 40. I have a bachelor's in a totally unrelated field (film). I live in the San Fernando Valley. I am currently holding down a job as a mental health worker at a local hospital. Sometimes I float to the med/surg floor to sit with total care patients, so I am accustomed to the heathcare setting. I guess I at least have that going for me.

I want to eventually get my BSN, but I have things to consider like cost. So I was thinking that perhaps I should go with an ADN in the meantime and just bridge it later while I work as an RN. I'm sure that would be more cost effective.

My only concern is having just an ADN degree. Will I find it harder to get hired in Los Angeles? I hear about how a lot of hospitals want BSN for their magnet status. I have a bachelor's in film, but I really don't think that going to help any.

Maybe I should just forego the ADN and take out more student loans and go straight to the University for a BSN. Not sure. I'm older and don't know if going into bigger debt for a BSN is a good idea.

Anyone out there with some personal experience on this matter? Maybe you are a graduate, or a hiring manager. Anyone who can offer me their advice would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks in advance.