ADN vs BSN What do I do now?

[us2uk4u]

I hope I can get some feedback from you guys about a small problem that I have. I am currently enrolled in the ADN program and I just started my clinical this past September. My only problem is that now I finally got accepted into an Accelerated BSN program that starts in the Spring of '10. The BSN cost way, way more money than the ADN but I can hopefully get a student loan (which my husband is against). The BSN will take about the same amount of time as my ADN program (because of my transfer credits).

Is it worth just getting the BSN? I will be in serious debt if I pursue it (the tuition will be about $27K for the program) vs no debt with my ADN. But then again, it's a BSN. I will eventually need to get a BSN since I want to purse a Masters degree in Nursing but maybe I can work after the ADN program and save up for the BSN afterwards?

[LovesGreyhounds]

I had this same dilemma! Very hard decision, I know. I am choosing the ADN route because I'll come out still a nurse with no debt! Although the BSN would be nice & with this economy employers can be picky, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can still get a job somewhere just with an ADN & then later on have my employer help pay for the BSN or perhaps I'll find I don't need it - who knows? Or, by then, be making more money to pay for it, etc. But my husband was the same way - pretty leary about getting into alot of debt over this. I would think to pay back that amount it would be at least $300 - 400 a month or more for 10 years or so. I have a feeling too, that once this economy gets back on track & the baby boomers start retiring & needing more healthcare, that I don't doubt there will be a nursing shortage once again & then jobs will be more plentiful. Good luck with your decision - I know it's a hard one!

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I am doing ASN or ADN I can't remember but pretty much one in the same from what I am told, anyway, then I will have my work reimburse for the RN-BSN 1 year online program and eventually get my Masters.

Doing your ADN and then bridging into a BSN 1 year program might be cheaper then that school you are talking about and still get you the BSN your area is requiring.