Any regrets?

Hello everyone. I am new to the boards. I'm currently in my 3rd semester of nursing school. I'm at a 4 year private college. My school is unique in that it has the option to "step out" after two years and earn the ADN.

I don't want to start a heated debate about ADN vs BSN!

:chuckle

Here's my question:

Do any of you regret not getting the BSN right away if you had the option?

Also, I would like anyone's opinion on my current dilemma:

I am single, 23. I went to school for 3 semesters as a pre-med major, decided to be a nurse. I'll graduate with an ADN May 2004. I have the option of staying and obtaining the BSN. It would only take me 1 year, so I'd graduate in 2005 with a BSN. Should I do it?

My dilemma you ask?

I'm so tired of school. I do well, but I am so anxious to be done with it. BUT.... I don't want any regrets. I know eventually I'll get the BSN, but should I do it NOW?

I hope you can help me!! I need some advice. Thank you.

Kayelle

[Chrislynn2003]

I would tell you to go ahead and get your BSN. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with going for your ADN. You can be just as great a nurse with either degree. The question is do you eventually want to go for your BSN? If you do, just stay in school a little longer now and go for it. I can understand the feeling of being sick of school and wanting to get done, but you realize that you will always be learning, even outside of work on your own time, when you are through with school. Don't rush it. Good luck with your decision.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

When you graduate, you're are going to get the same pay and do the same things as those with an ADN, so you're going to wonder why BSN if I'm doing the same thing for the same pay.

I would say if the opportunity is there, go for the BSN because it provides options for the future. Who knows what you are going to want to do 20 years from now. Get it out of the way now.

[monkijr]

just my two cents, go for it!!!!!!

I was in the same situation, however my program offered, CNA to LPN, to ADN then BSN. I ended up being a single parent first semester into the LPN, so finished the RN program because of circumstance, no regrets, because it has provided a living for my children and myself, but wish the circumstances would have been different, and I would have stayed in school the extra year.

You are very young, there would be no harm in obtaining your BSN now. No one can ever take it from you, and finding time or should I say committing time later, is easier said than done.

Good luck, but when it comes right down to it, the decision is yours alone, do what is "right" for you.

[kayelle]

Thank you so much for your opinions!

It's great to get advice from people who have been there!

BTW.... just a note to all of you nurses (LPN, Diploma, ADN, BSN, MSN, PhD) I commend ALL of you on being a nurse!!

It's not about the letters after our name....... it's about "them". "them" being the reason I got into nursing in the first place: the people I care for.

Kayelle

[NursePru]

My advice is do it now...before you have a family to think about. I'm 25 and single with no children and I am going for a second bachelors degree. I'm beyond sick of school, but I have decided to go into a second bachelors program, mainly because I know I want to eventually be a Nurse Practioner. It was a tough choice because the community college close to me has an excellent ADN program. But, I decided to go back and get it overwith simply because I've talked to several men and women who are going back after starting a family and there biggest complaint is not having the time to focus on there studies.

If getting your Bachelors is goal you have set for yourself and personally want to achieve...I say achieve it now, then you can relax and focus on building your career/family life from there.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Do it now while you can. It was extremely difficult on my family when I went back to school in my 30's. Extremely.

Good luck.

steph

[Karina212]

Go for the BSN. I was pondering the same thing. I went ahead and got my BSN and graduated at 24. I have no regrets. I am going to eventually pursue a masters so I'm already closer to being there. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[kids]

I am an ADN who has never felt any desire to get a BSN but I say go for it. It is "only" one more year if you go straight thru...in all likelyhood if you don't do it now and you decide to go back later it will likely take you 2-3 years to get it.

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

K -- Absolutely go for the BSN. You're so young and will likely reap tons of bennies / options for having done so in the future.

(I'm going the ADN route myself but I'm significantly older than you, and this will be my fourth degree and third career change.)

Hang in there and think long-term!

Best to ya!

[Crystal J]

Do the BSN now - when you marry and have kids it will be hard to go back. Goodluck!!!

[Melissadgrn]

If I had to do it all over again, I would have gone to college before I had a family and all of the responsibilities that go with it. I waited until my 30's and am currently obtaining my RN-BSN with plans to get my MSN. It is extremely difficult on my family and on me since I also work full time. Get it early!! The cobwebs creep into the brain and make studying more difficult!!

Good luck and hang in there!

Melissadgrn