Anyone worried b/c you did RN and not BSN?

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I already have a B.S. and I plan on getting either my MSN, DNP or CNS within the next 5 years. I am 1/4 of the way thru my ADN. I already have an RN job at the hospital I currently work at, after I graduate. But I'm still worried I made a mistake and shot myself in the foot by not doing an accelerated bachelor's. The cost was higher and the hospital only reimbursed for RN. At the time, I didn't see the need or want to get a second bachelor's. But with a new sister hospital being built right near my house, and the talk of magnet status, Im second guessing my choice.

Anyone else?

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I'm just trying to understand why so many people are getting their ADN or LPN, then immediately going into these bridge programs. Won't that cost more, take longer, and be more troublesome? Why not just go straight to the BSN and skip the bridges? I'm glad I just did the BSN, then the MSN. In my city, we have 3 hospital networks. 1 will not consider ANY new grad unless you have a BSN. The other is requiring the ADN's to go back to school within 1-2 years of hire. The last network is implementing that change to BSN only. They are requiring all LPN's to go back to school within a couple of years, even if they've been there 10-20 years. On paper, BSN>ADN. Even if the ADN student had a GREAT clinical education, BSN is still chosen.

I did associates first because it was better for my family, the school was close, I did my pre-reqs in a different state, the RN-BSN is all online and go at your own pace and the hospital will be paying most of it, so definitely isn't going to cost more. The associates program also has a better respected program in the hospitals here (2 health systems with a total of 4 hospitals locally) my program has a higher NCLEX pass rate, the local BSNprogram has a higher retention rate but they have a way different grading system. 70% is passing for them and 77% for us. I just interviewed for a job that interviewed 27 other people. I got the job. I had nothing else to give me an edge either for why they picked me. It's also a magnet hospital. I think in the end a lot of things factor in who is picked. Could all just come down to a better personality.

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I agree with the previous poster about personality. You can sound great on paper, have all of the credentials, but if you commit any faux-pas in interviewing or applying to jobs, you wont get the job. I think there are different programs out there because not everyone is at the stage in life where they can commit to 4 years of university to get a nursing degree. Magnet status is a big deal, yes, and they do prefer BSNs because it is proven that when you have a science degree in nursing, you have more critical thinking and scientific background than your associate counterparts. However it does not make one better than the other. I have met amazing nursing who were happy being LPNs and did just as much work as the other BSNs. Everyone still has to pass the NCLEX. In my opinion, nursing is getting more and more competitive and so employers can descriminate between how long someone went to school. I don't think they will automatically discredit a person just because they don't have a bachelors, but if you want to go to get a masters, you would need it. Wish you luck in everything!

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Thanks everyone! Awesome responses to think on! ;-)

For clarification, yes sorry, I used RN when I should have used ADN in my OP when referencing the degree, not the license.

Also, the hospital pays a total of $7,000 i.e. about what it costs around here to get an ADN. They specifically state they will not pay for LPN programs, but I do not remember there being an exclusion for BSN/ABSN. Probably just the 7K ceiling.

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Specializes in Private Practice- wellness center.

I don't regret it at all. Not many hospitals here require the BSN upon hiring. I also plan on doing a bridge program so that I am able to a CNM. I figured I would take the quickest way to getting a job, then I'd be able to afford to live while attending school. :D

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Specializes in Acute Care.
I'm just trying to understand why so many people are getting their ADN or LPN, then immediately going into these bridge programs. Won't that cost more, take longer, and be more troublesome? Why not just go straight to the BSN and skip the bridges? I'm glad I just did the BSN, then the MSN. In my city, we have 3 hospital networks. 1 will not consider ANY new grad unless you have a BSN. The other is requiring the ADN's to go back to school within 1-2 years of hire. The last network is implementing that change to BSN only. They are requiring all LPN's to go back to school within a couple of years, even if they've been there 10-20 years. On paper, BSN>ADN. Even if the ADN student had a GREAT clinical education, BSN is still chosen.

Some of us have no choice. I'm an at home Dad to 3 young kids (ages 4, 3, and 1) and my Wife works full time. I wait tables on any free nights to compensate but I do weekend/evening nursing program for my ADN. I had to quit my full time day job when I was accepted and was given ZERO financial aid (a WHOLE other sore subject for me!!!). I have a previous bachelors but its still MUCH less time, and MUCH less money. I do want my BSN- but I'm hoping to have an employer assist me with that after I graduate in May 2012.

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I don't worry at all, I'm perfectly happy achieving my ADN at this point.

I do however, 100% plan to be in a bridge program within the next couple of years.

PS- I've said it before and I'll say it until I'm blue in the face: Who you know > what you know, work to get in good standing with as many people as you can, it'll carry you a long way.

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Absolutely not. I just finished my ASN this spring and have been accepted into a BSN program at the university where I did my ASN. I have a job in an ER and am doing my BSN online, which I'm more than happy with. I didn't want to have to wait any longer to finish the prereqs for a BSN, so this way I was able to start working as a nurse earlier and getting into the BSN program immediately out of my ASN was no problem. I also plan on getting my NP, but I'm okay with this route.

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I chose RN instead of Accelerated BSN.

One reason because it was much cheaper for me. The accelerated BSN program I would have went to would have cost me almost 45k+, while the Associates at another school is costing me around 12-15k.

After I get my RN, I'm planning to do a RN to MSN program since I have almost every prerequisite for a BSN anyway other than the advance Nursing classes.

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I already have a B.S. and I plan on getting either my MSN, DNP or CNS within the next 5 years. I am 1/4 of the way thru my ADN. I already have an RN job at the hospital I currently work at, after I graduate. But I'm still worried I made a mistake and shot myself in the foot by not doing an accelerated bachelor's. The cost was higher and the hospital only reimbursed for RN. At the time, I didn't see the need or want to get a second bachelor's. But with a new sister hospital being built right near my house, and the talk of magnet status, Im second guessing my choice.

Anyone else?

I am not sure where you are from, but in Massachusetts there are quite a few programs that are specifically for RN's with a Bachelors in another field. I am in the same situation as you, I chose the RN/ASN route because it was easier to complete with a young family. I will continue onto a MSN-DNP program next winter, it is only for people with a prior bachelors degree, so it is the perfect fit for me.

I did consider the direct-entry route, but I heard a lot of negative things from friends who were nurses about the direct entry students. I also had two friends who took this route and have had a very difficult time getting jobs, due to the fact they had no real nursing experience. I am very pleased I took this route, even though it has taken me a bit longer I do feel prepared as a nurse and ready to move onto the next step. Also, I am going to keep working as an RN while I obtain my MSN-DNP degree. When I finally become an NP, I will have 4-6 years nursing experience, which will hopefully help when I look for a job.

I do not plan on getting a BSN long the way, if I planned on being an RN as my career I would absolutely get the BSN, you need it to get a decent job, especially around here.

Lastly, I love being a nurse :nurse: it as the best decision I have made so far.

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I went for an ADN because my college was more convenient than going to the university providing a BSN, and while I was worried at the beginning, I decided to get into an RN-BSN program right after graduating, then go for my MSN. I'm working on my BSN right now and feel like I've made a good decision, even though this route is longer than it would've been if I'd gone for my bachelor's to start with. The more education, the better, right? ;)

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I understand for those who must get the ADN or some other degree, then the BSN later. But I've read quite a few people on here who say "the ADN is easier, and less time consuming in the hospital". I've heard of some community colleges that are far tougher than some BSN programs and vice versa. It really just depends on your area like some people are saying. But more power to the ones who do what needs to be done to reach their goal, admirable :up::)

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I understand for those who must get the ADN or some other degree, then the BSN later. But I've read quite a few people on here who say "the ADN is easier, and less time consuming in the hospital". I've heard of some community colleges that are far tougher than some BSN programs and vice versa. It really just depends on your area like some people are saying. But more power to the ones who do what needs to be done to reach their goal, admirable :up::)

Yea it seems ours was a tougher program then the BSN locally. A student from there even told me the students are told they will all pass. now I didn't hear that first hand but I have been told by many that our is a tougher program and had students tell me they love the normal grading scale the BSN here uses.

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