Ok, I want to make this short. Yesterday I had to get a physical for an aide position I'm taking at a step down ICU. I'm currently in a community college a couple classes short of finishing my prereqs for the nursing program. I'm on a undetermined waiting list and getting very impatient. I graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English. On to the meat of the story...
I'm getting looked over by the doctor during the physical and telling her my story. I told her how my dad was a doctor and just my luck she knew who he was. Her response to me becoming a nurse "Why don't you become a doctor?" "Didn't you take anything throughout college related to science?" "Where do you go to school? Your at a community college? Oh, honey you're waisting your time. You have a bachelor already, you need to get your bachelor if your going into nursing. Bottom line your waisting your time at a community college."
I was floored. She was so cut throat and I really feel like she knew what she was talking about. What are your opinions? Do i need to transfer and just to nursing at a university? My understanding is I'm going to be spending the same amount of time to get my BSN than I would for the associates.
I almost feel dense asking this since I juts posted the obvious in the last sentance above. I just know how much cheaper it will be at the community college. Am I wrong? I feel stupid to even post this. Believe me...that feeling is rare.
Weigh the financial and time costs of the ADN degree plus RN-to-BSN degree versus the BSN degree. I'd also work on spelling and writing. --I believe you meant to write "wasting" not "waisting." A good cover letter, resume, and thank-you letter may help you land a dream job in future.
I too, already had a Bachelor's before entering an ADN program. I would not call it a 'waste' as I am an RN making the same, and performing the same duties as BSN nurses. However, it was only after I was halfway through the program that I discovered I could have gotten my Master's degree in nearly the same amount of time. Please take some time to look at the direct entry Master's programs out there. You will become an RN during the program, and complete a MSN in about 3 years. I really wish I had known, I would have jumped at that chance. If I go back now, it will still take me another 3 years for a Masters.
Except, my ADN cost less than $5,000. Not sure what a BSN would cost for you, but this was a huge factor for me (but I don't have a bachelor's in any other field).
I am now pursuing my BSN, and this will cost about another $5-6000. For me, this was definitely the way to go.
And, no issue getting a job with an ADN, neither have my classmates.
When I got my ADN, there were 8 students in my class that already had BS degrees in other fields.
I asked the same question...they said that it was the same number of years to do a ADN then a RN-BSN program as it did to just do the BSN program outright because of the pre-reqs. Plus, you get to work and the hospital gets to pay for the RN-BSN program as well.
Medical School...here is a breakdown:
BS degree in some type of Science: 4 years
Medical School: 4 years
Residency: 3 years
That is 11 years right there...then if you want to specialize you have to do a fellowship on top of that which can take anywhere from 3 to 7 years depending on your specialty.
So, I support physicians being on top of the food chain in terms of income...no way would I stay in school that long.
You can do an RN-BSN bridge program right after you finish your ADN. These programs (many are online now) are designed so that you can complete them while working, they are not "full time school" things. Since you already have a BA and have probably fulfilled all the general-education requirements, all you need are the nursing classes in the RN-BSN. You should get your BSN, and you can do it this way (the cheapest way) or you can transfer to an ABSN program like the person suggested to you. But it's not a waste of time to get an ADN and then an RN-BSN, it's actually a very frugal, smart way to become a nurse.
the only problem i see with the master's program is who is going to hire a master degree nurse with no prior nursing experience? i would think you are too expensive! unless you can be working as an rn while still completeing the masters program. i'm not well versed on how these programs work...
any ways i would go for the bsn, especially if later you would consider getting a masters. in my area adn nurses rarely get hospital jobs. a friend of mine has a previous bachelors in engeniring and an adn degree and she couldn't get a hospital job. i would spend some time and talk with admissions couselors and find out more about each program. also check out what the hospitals are doing around you. if you see bsn perferred or required, which seems to be the norm now then i would be getting that bsn. you don't want to come out of school and spend 9 months looking for a job.
if you do decide to get the adn, i've noticed rural areas are very happy to hire adn nurses!
good luck! you will make the right decision for you!
OP, you say you just graduated 2009 with a bachelors degree. Is your debt paid off? If not I do not at all advise going for your BSN. If you do an ADN can you swing that even? Thing is, nursing is not anymore the profession to jump into. Actually, it might be one of the worst career choices one could make these days. If you have no debt, and have no financial responsibilities (eg someone else pays all your bills) and, you just want to do it, then go ahead. But nursing is a tough career path especially now with the poor working conditions, and lowering pay scales. I'd advise you rethink the entire thing.
You are not wasting your time! I just graduated from a ADN program in April, took my boards in early May, passed, and just got hired at a great hospital the other day. There is no pay difference between an ADN or a BSN nurse (at least here in TX there isn't). A plus side of a smaller program since usually ADN ones are is the class sizes. Our teachers really took the time to get to know each student and they were available pretty much whenever we needed them and were always willing to sit down with us and go over anything we needed. I definitely plan to go get my BSN because you need that in most cases to do upper level nursing (management, etc..) and most hospitals have some sort of tuition reimbursement plan in place, mine will pay up to $2,000 a year. If you can get into a BSN program then go for it but if you aren't accepted there and you get into an ADN program then go for it! Don't wait around another semester or year even to reapply to a BSN program. Hope this helps:up:
While there is no pay difference between new grad ADN and BSN, there is little room for advancement with the ADN degree. Also, most every hospital I've applied to in the Northern VA area as well as CO require a BSN due to Magnet requirements.
If you already have a BS degree why don't you just do an accelerated program for your BSN? It probably would take less time than your ADN degree AND it will be way easier for you to find a job.
freemirini
25 Posts
Weigh the financial and time costs of the ADN degree plus RN-to-BSN degree versus the BSN degree. I'd also work on spelling and writing. --I believe you meant to write "wasting" not "waisting." A good cover letter, resume, and thank-you letter may help you land a dream job in future.