Are they doing away with the ASN programs?

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Hi,

I have always wanted to be a nurse and am looking forward to enrolling in my community college to start my pre reqs to try and get into their nursing program. I am hoping to start the enrollment process in the next few months.

What has been worrying me lately is I've heard that the topic is being pushed currently for the ASN to be thrown out of the mix, leaving

a BSN as the only route to get into the nursing field. This terrifies me, since money is a major factor for me. The only way I'd ever be able to go to a university for my nursing degree is if I took out a bunch of loans which I really do not want to ever have to do. My NP friend brought up that they've recently made changes to the MSN programs, requiring everybody interested in becoming an NP to now have their doctorates in nursing, and that's when he also brought up the thing about possibly doing away with associates programs altogether. I just don't want to be halfway through the program only to be told oops, gotta get your bachelor's.

What do you all think? Input?

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Specializes in ICU.

There are tons of threads on this. No, ASN programs are not going away. And a NP can still get their masters. Your friend is wrong. Yes, there is talk of requiring BSNs as entry level in hospitals and some require it now. Some but not all. You can't always buy into the hype. Research the job market in your area.

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No some are only hiring BSN's and also nursing homes only hire Lpn's or RN's to run them.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Your friend is half right. Current and new graduates that are nurse practitioners will be grandfathered and any person interested in being a MSN NP must get their education done BEFORE a specific year (I think it's 2024?). After that, it will be only DNP. In regards to the ADN going away -- partially true. Hospitals will most likely prefer BSN over ADN simply because of the higher level of education.

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Specializes in ER/Emergency Behavioral Health....

My current hospital won't hire from outside with an ASN, but they will hire internally if you sign a contract to start BSN courses after 1 year and graduate in 5.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, ac9390:

No, AD programs are still available, and probably will continue to be so as it is still a viable stepping stone towards a BSN. Also see https://allnurses.com/registered-nurses-diploma/do-you-think-943190.html#post8077168

Thank you.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Check your market, as well as what your personal goals are, and make your decision from there.

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Specializes in MICU.
Check your market, as well as what your personal goals are, and make your decision from there.

I saw a post like this from you when I got accepted to ccp and after checking phillys job market; I realized that getting my bsn is the best way to go. Now, am starting holy family university next week. Thanks for your advice

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I saw a post like this from you when I got accepted to ccp and after checking phillys job market; I realized that getting my bsn is the best way to go. Now, am starting holy family university next week. Thanks for your advice

Oh! :shy:

You're welcome. :up:

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The market here is not oversaturated as far as I know. I have never known a nurse here to have any difficulty at all finding jobs. 2 of my recent grad nurse friends already had jobs waiting for them when they graduated and the rest found jobs within the month. This was a mixture of both ASN and BSN. Nurses never have a hard time finding jobs here.

I would of course continue my education via a bridge program once I graduate. I do want my BSN, but the 4 year route is too expensive. That's why I freaked when he said that about the associates programs. I just wanted to make sure my hard work isn't going to be for nothing. Right now I am working full time as a dental assistant to save as much as I can, and hope to pay off most of what tuition and books would cost in one years time if not all. This was all part of my plan to get myself into nursing school as quick as I can without leaving much debt for myself along the way.

Thank you for your input. I really needed to hear from people who are already nurses and get their 2 cents. I read a lot of the older threads on this issue but couldn't find one that was recent so I just wanted to make darn sure those programs weren't going anywhere!

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I can understand your concern, especially after hearing that from your friend. You'll be fine doing your ASN then bridging to BSN when you're ready. Just be aware, too, that in many markets, ASN nurses have an almost impossible time trying to get hospital jobs. There are plenty of other avenues for nursing, like home health, SNF, etc, where ASNs are generally on a level playing field with BSNs. And, as mentioned above, some hospitals will accept ASNs if they will obtain their BSN by a certain date.

You're lucky to be in an area where nurses are able to find work, especially new grads. Most places, nurses have a very tough time these days, even experienced nurses.

Regarding the MSN/DNP thing, I've heard that as well, but I don't know when that's being implemented. I've heard as early as 2015 here in CA, but as mentioned above, those who have already obtained their NP will be grandfathered in.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

You have to check the job market where you're at. I know the hospital where I live will hire ADNs. But if I were to apply to a bigger city, like San Antonio or Houston, I would need my BSN. I don't see ADN programs ever being shut down.

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