Are ADN/ASN worth it?

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Hi guys,

Short version: Are ASN programs worth the cost and effort?

Long version: I'm an EMT-B right now. My long term goal is to be a PA. In the mean time, I need something more than working as an ER tech to support my family and get experience. I had initially considered becoming a Paramedic, but in my area there aren't a lot of acute care paramedic jobs (and to work on an EMS service I would need to be a firefighter, and I don't want to do that). So I'm considering going the nursing route. I'm kind of eyeing an ASN program, but I've been told you can't do a whole lot with an ASN (I've been warned I might not even be able to work in acute care in this area).

So I guess what I'm asking is getting an ASN worth the cost and time to have a better job, while I focus on the whole PA thing?

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

It hasn't hurt me in my area. I can't answer for you. The only thing I can offer is to look on-line to the area hospitals and newspapers and see what they "prefer or require".

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The issue is that ASN/ADN's are being phased out because most hospitals want nurses with a BSN for Magnet status. However, if you are considering a career as a nurse most hospitals will hire an ASN/ADN even if they want the BSN, provided the nurse signs a contract to get their BSN within a certain time period. Most hospitals will also reimburse tuition for those expenses. For now I see that LPN's and LVN's are having a harder time getting positions in acute care settings. If you are going to be a PA, which is a completely different school of thought from nursing, I suggest looking at other options. Radiology? Respiratory? Check them out too. ;)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
It hasn't hurt me in my area. I can't answer for you. The only thing I can offer is to look on-line to the area hospitals and newspapers and see what they "prefer or require".

Me either. In fact, I was a med/surg LPN for years before getting RN. Now, I'm casually pursuing the BSN on my own accord since it hasn't been required.....just skipping along.....

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Huge YES!!!

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If you are going to be a PA, which is a completely different school of thought from nursing, I suggest looking at other options. Radiology? Respiratory? Check them out too. ;)

Those jobs don't interest me as much, as I'd like to work more closely with patients. And yeah I know Nurse to PA isn't the normal progression. But like I said, I need something more than being an ER tech/EMT-B while I'm school.

Thanks for the advice guys, I really appreciate it. I'll have to make some calls and see if hospitals in my area hire ASNs.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Hospitals are not phasing out ADN/ASN. Magnet facilities will hire AND/ASN especially if they have experience...it is the facilities desire to have 80% BSN prepared nurses. There are some areas of the country new grad ADN/ASN nurses having diffuculty finding a position but that is because there is a plethora of new grads/nurses out there tight now.

The job market is tight on MOST areas of the country right now....even for nurses. California has an almost 47% unemployment rate for new grads.

Your paramedic experience will help you get hired as a RN/ADN and the medical experience will help you in PA school ....if you plan on staying in nursing and becoming a NP then a BSN is the way to go.

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Specializes in ED, Long-term care, MDS, doctor's office.

If you are young and can afford to go without taking out loans, I would say yes....If you are over the age of 40 and will have to get student loans, I would say just go on for the PA...I was an LPN for 17 years & went through a LPN to RN (ASN) program. I was 45 when I graduated 3 years ago. I had to take out student loans to help pay for school & my household finances while in school. I literally went from a top paid LPN to a pretty much useless RN with that transition. I have just now found employment in a hospital (my motivation to further my education). Hospitals prefer BSN/RNs and most do not accept LPN experience as "real" experience. Now, I am a little bit over $20,000 in student loan debt and making equal to what I was as an LPN. I DO finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, as I have finally been offered my dream job, an emergency department nurse! I start Monday & I am very excited. My rate of pay is the still the same as what I made as LPN, but at least I will have the chance to work in an area I have only been able to dream of...Unfortunately, I will most likely be required to continue my education to BSN. I don't know whether I am going to do that or not, since I do not have the money and I really don't want to go in debt any further than I already am. It will depend on whether or not I will be able to pick up overtime to pay off my current student loans and whether or not the employer will help with tuition...To do over again, I would not have done the RN program. It was just not a good financial decision. I let my feelings of what I wanted to do interfere with what I could afford to do with my career. I just waited too late in life to pursue my dream...I hope you are able to do what you want with your career. Like I said before, if you are young and want to be a PA, I would just go for it. As an ED tech with a family, you might be able to get some financial help with a Pell Grant instead of loans...If you are a RN, you will most likely make too much money for any grants and if you can't afford the tuition, be in deep student loan debt. Good luck to you and I am sure whatever you decide, things will work out:)

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
I DO finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, as I have finally been offered my dream job, an emergency department nurse! I start Monday & I am very excited.

Monte- Congrats on the new job!! How exciting for you!

All the best,

Diane

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If your ultimate goal is PA and you're already EMT-B, then why not just go PA and get school over with? You've already got the experience/background PA schools would be looking at, and postponing the adventure and expense will NOT get any easier if you delay. If you've already taken the GRE and have your prereqs completed, just jump in!

Short answer -- focus on PA because that is the long-term goal. And getting into PA school is no cake walk.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Great news for you, M!

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I actually had a related question. I'm looking into nursing right now, and I was wondering if by 2017 would ASN become obsolete. I know, it's a random question but I was curious if anyone had an answer.

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