Am I an idiot for choosing the BSN route rather than the ADN...?

Nurses General Nursing

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I always had dreams of attending a professional school (medical, dental, law, business, future studies in Nursing etc.) so I had decided to select the BSN route rather than the ADN. However, some students from my community college are criticizing my decision as they state that I am paying too much for a Nursing Degree in contrast with with them. Financially, I have no problems paying, I have the Montgomery G.I. bill, financial aid, savings, and won every scholarship offered for my major. I begin at UC Irvine this fall in September. They keep calling me an idiot by pursuing a BSN.

I have recently discovered that ADN nurses have their Bachelor's paid for by the hospital while they work. However, my parents (both physicians) have said since the state of California is in the brink of a financial meltdown and are deeply broke, hospital administration staff are cutting back on funds and are no longer paying it. Is there some truth to that at all or are my parents just using that as a scare tactic to woo me towards a higher degree level?

I want to attend graduate school of some kind and I was scared that the hospitals were no longer financially assisting nurses in their pursuit for a Bachelor's, were these good reasons in pursuing the BSN rather than the ADN?

P.S.: I also wanted to live the "college life," instead of just commuting back and forth to my CC.

Specializes in Med-Surg and Ambulatory Care (multispecialty).

I know if I could afford it and my schedule allowed it (married, 2 kids & a job) I would definitely have gone the BSN route instead of going for my Associate's degree first. I am going to have to go for my ADN first and then my BSN. You are smart and doing the right thing in my book.

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Your decision to get a BSN at the start of your career is a sound one. The only thing you might plan differently would be to take lower division and prerequisite courses for about two years at the cc, then transfer them in to the four year school. You could be saving money and it might be convenient if you live closer to a cc. These are the only reasons to attend a cc rather than go to the four year school.

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Specializes in Med-surg, NICU.

Like you, I wanted to go to a 4 year school for the college experience. I know for some people that's not important, but I wouldn't trade those 4 years for anything. Plus I met my husband in college. I think you're doing a good thing:)

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I always had dreams of attending a professional school (medical, dental, law, business, future studies in Nursing etc.) so I had decided to select the BSN route rather than the ADN. However, some students from my community college are criticizing my decision as they state that I am paying too much for a Nursing Degree in contrast with with them. Financially, I have no problems paying, I have the Montgomery G.I. bill, financial aid, savings, and won every scholarship offered for my major. I begin at UC Irvine this fall in September. They keep calling me an idiot by pursuing a BSN.

I have recently discovered that ADN nurses have their Bachelor's paid for by the hospital while they work. However, my parents (both physicians) have said since the state of California is in the brink of a financial meltdown and are deeply broke, hospital administration staff are cutting back on funds and are no longer paying it. Is there some truth to that at all or are my parents just using that as a scare tactic to woo me towards a higher degree level?

I want to attend graduate school of some kind and I was scared that the hospitals were no longer financially assisting nurses in their pursuit for a Bachelor's, were these good reasons in pursuing the BSN rather than the ADN?

P.S.: I also wanted to live the "college life," instead of just commuting back and forth to my CC.

If you wan to pursue a graduate degree in the future a BSN is the right route and also have the opportunity for 'college life', we all make choices for many different reasons-be happy with your choices.

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.

If you can afford it, I don't see how its a bad decision. That'd be the only thing I'd be worried about, being able to afford it. Beyond that.................why not get it out of the way?

Me, I had to go the ADN route because of financial restraints. I had been planning on getting my BSN but, you know how it is...........something always comes up. For awhile there, I actually had changed my mind about it even.

I've heard more than a few ADN to BSN nurses say the classes were "fluff" and that you didn't do anything but write papers. I've put it out there, asking how a BSN can help you with bedside nursing..............and I never got a concrete answer to the question.

With that said, I came up with my own reasons to go back to school. First and foremost, I want my MSN in Informatics. I think its a job I can do later in life. Secondly, I think I'll have a little bit more of a voice about nursing and I'll have a more well defined opinion of what nursing is/should be from the classes. Whether or not any of the secondary things become true or make a difference is yet to be determined.

Then, you have the final reason for getting the BSN: Job security. There are many many opinions about what the furture of nursing holds. Some say LPNs will be "phased out", others say the same about ADNs, and of course there is the crowd that thinks BSN or MSN will have their administrative roles taken away.

IDK who is right or wrong. I notice some trends (LPN's being hired by LTC facilities again it seems, at least in my area, ADNs doing strictly bedside care, BSNs also doing bedside but opportunity to do things away from the unit exist.............some hospitals only hiring BSNs for bedside), but I don't have a crystal ball. I know I'd feel more secure in finding a job if I had a BSN..............so I'm getting one.

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You are making the right decision. When you do start working, you can use the tuition benefit (assuming there is one) toward grad school. By the way, do your friends know they will be required to pay taxes on that tuition benefit?

I completed my education the long way, starting with a 3-year diploma program. It was fantastic and I was confident of my skills and could have been in charge of a unit when I finished but it took forever to finally reach graduate school. When I finished a Masters and wanted to go on for a Doctorate I was toast...just couldn't justify that many more years in school...so I stopped after receiving a Masters from Columbia University. If you start with the BSN you will be at least three years ahead of where I was...

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

Im not sure who these people are that are criticising you, but wow. Ignore them, do what you want to. Youll have a BSN and theyll be working and in school, and walking around all stressed out, and probably still hating on you. :D Have fun.

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Specializes in Trauma, Emergency.

considering the significantly larger number of doors opened by BSN than ADN, i don't know why anybody would choose ADN if there were no other factors to consider ($$, full time job, child care, family life, etc). if you have the opportunity to pursue a BSN why the heck wouldn't you?!

i'm working for my ADN right now but i plan to become a CRNA or NP so after my ADN i will still have quite a bit of school left, before i even get to start an MSN or CRNA program...of course i would prefer to be in BSN right now, but time and $$ don't allow :uhoh21:. everyone has to do what's best for them and your friends should be 100% supportive of you becoming your best self! if they continue to give you a hard time, it sounds like they are either jealous of your situation or they don't have a clear picture of the advantages that having a BSN over an ADN will offer you...

keep your head up, trust that you know what's best for you, and enjoy the college experience!! there's nothing in the world quite like it...

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Perhaps your friends are not in the position to do the BSN and they don't want to see you leave the group. Either way, if you have the means you should definately do it. If you try to do a bridge program after the fact, you will have to do while working full time which would be alot to ask considering all you are going to have to learn as a new grad (so I have heard I am almost done with my BSN). As others have stated, you may be too burned out after you finish the ADN to BSN while working that you decide not to go to graduate school. Also, at least in the market that I am in, BSN is preferred due to the current economic issues.

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In some cases I see the value of ADN vs BSN (mainly if one is going to be in massive debt to pursue the BSN). In your case I think it's a no-brainer to go for the BSN. If you want to pursue a higher degree eventually and money isn't an issue there is no reason for you to do an ADN first. I think it's just sour grapes on their part. Best of luck in your studies.

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Specializes in Oncology; med/surg; geriatric; OB; CM.

BSN......no two ways about it. I'm an ADN and where I live/work (Chicago suburbs) many of our local hospitals and most of the university hospitals have gone/are going to a hiring phase where if you don't have your BSN, you don't get hired. So here I am 17 years out of school and looking to go back....at age 53....oy. If you have the means and the time, go for it. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

These days, and this is just my humble opinion, :twocents: companies value degrees. The higher the degree, the better. Even if you didn't know your own name, that string of letters behind your name would open a lot of doors.

Since you are going to know quite a bit more than your own name,:nurse::idea::yeah: you will have more doors open to you and the BSN will be worth it. Just do it!!!:anpom::anpom:

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