Am I waisting my time with associates degree?

[chall2011]

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.

???

-Chris

[destiny5]

Many colleges have an accelerated BSN of nursing if you have a BSN in another area. That would be ideal. My advise though is to apply to both and get in where you can.. as soon as you can...

[mono2010]

I would recommend looking into an Accelerated BSN program which is what I'm doing. I already have a BS and the better part of a MS. The program is only 20 months and it will be all nursing instead of the gen eds that you usually have to face with a standard BSN program. Accl BSN programs are geared toward career changes so its less time but that being said...they are expensive.

[debi49]

I've said this before on this board....I had a useless BA in psychology, and 10 years later went to a great nursing program at a great community college and in the last almost 20 years, there is not one job I have been turned down for because I didnt have a BSN. We all sit for the same boards.

[AnewNur]

You will be a nurse no matter what education path you take true everyone promotes higher education and there are so many options available to do that. If being a RN was not suffice they would just eliminate associate programs altogether just like diploma nurses. Don't let anyone get you off track with what u want to do. I do advise u look at all the options out there. Just don't regret what you do that's what makes you unique.

PS in my area health organizations prefer those from a community college. Friends with there BSN took more than a year to find a job. It really depends on your location. At then end of the day we are all/will be nurses.

[RocktheBoat]

I wouldn't necessarily say that it is a waste of time (education is one of the best investments), but with the current economy employers can be more picky. All but two nurses on my unit have a BSN. The two nurses with their ADN were hired years ago before the economy went down. One of the ADNs has applied to several other positions at various hospitals and has not been hired--a lot of the hospitals in my area much more prefer BSNs and some of them will not even look at an application of an ADN. The two ADN nurses are now enrolled in school to obtain their BSN. However, my hospital has hired a few ADNs but they worked there during nursing school as aides and transporters.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

waste, not waist

waist = your body part

Don't know the answer but think you'd be better to get the BSN, as it does seem to be the wave of the future.

[chall2011]

I wrote this post in about 30 seconds flat before I had to get to work...Jesus.

[Quienes]

Why not get your ADN then do an MSN bridge?

[Nccity2002, MSN, RN]

I did not appreciate the physician word choice (waste of time !!), but I can see where she is coming from. True is, if you are seriously considering nursing as a career choice, you need to go for your BSN (and for all of those nurses out there, who are in denial....come on guys, you ALL know she will HAVE to do anyways...if not now, then down the road). Even better, why not consider entering an accelerated Master program, since you already have a bachelor in something else (you will save money, and have an edge above other applicants). Currently, most hospitals (at least here, in CA) are requiring minimum BSN education....at my current facility, we do not even hire them anymore, and the ones who are already in, are strongly encouraged to pursue one. My facility pay 75% of tuition if taken within the institution (we are a teaching facility) and 50% if taken somewhere else. It does not have anything do to with who are better nurses (ADN vs BSN), it has to do with a profession trying to evolve from being perceived as a trade into a real profession.

I hope nobody get upset, but I think it is time to smell the coffee...the current trend IS the beginning of the end for ADN education.

[AgentBeast, MSN, RN]

Education is never a waste of time.

[Nccity2002, MSN, RN]

Why not get your ADN then do an MSN bridge?

Actually she still can do a MSN bridge , most universities offer a MSN bridge program for students with a bachelor in another field ( she can save a lot of money, if she do this).

I strongly encourage the OP to get in contact with her local universities and evaluate her options (she have many!!).

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

If you have the money and it would take the same amount of time, I would say go for the BSN.