ASN...or BSN?

[Swagedsoul]

I started school in 2010 at the age of 40 with the intent of applying for and attending Nursing school for the ASN. I am a male student. Now, after 3 years of working 2 jobs and working my tail off completing the pre-reqs, I have applied for and been accepted to my schools nursing program starting in the fall of this year.

Along the way, I've inadvertently completed all but 4 classes needed to complete an AA degree at my school. The unfortunate side-effect of having done this, is that I have used up more financial aid credit than I should have (must complete an associates degree withing 90 credits attempted). I have attempted 71 credits.

The remaining 2 years of the actual nursing program consist of 27 more credit hours. I am not able to privately fund my schooling due to other financial concerns. I can request a review and with luck, the school's committee will grant me an extension that will cover the remaining schooling I need to accomplish (which should include the remaining credit hours needed to complete my AA as well since the reason I am "low" on credit hour funding is due to the pursuit of a dual degree) my undergrad educational goals.

I have some grave financial concerns going into nursing school as I am now single and will have to leave my primary job to accommodate the nursing schedule. However, I should have my mortgage paid off next spring, which will lessen the financial burden.

It has occurred to me that one solution would be to simply complete my AA and then apply to the university for access to the BSN program. I have enough available federally-funded hours to complete my AA and then I could focus on the BSN, which I intended to pursue AFTER I started working as an RN. In this scenario, I would have to wait an additional year to start working, but be able to work at my current (albeit low-paying) job for another year. This will allow me the time to pay off my house and give me time to work towards figuring out how to fund my 2 years at the university.

I'm 43 now. I want to GO...and this solution delays me from starting in my chosen career as an RN for ANOTHER year...a place I'd hoped to be by now when I started this process. But, it solves a LOT of issues that I can't even begin to discuss here too...

I am confident that I can work it out which ever way I go (ASN first [lot of stress getting this in place] or AA then BSN)...but what are some of your opinions on what I should do?

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I went the BSN route d/t the factors of:

1) financial aid constraints of AD credit hours and funding

AND

2) noticed that nursing programs have the same core curriculum, with the exception of research nursing as a separate course (that sold me because I plan on entering graduate school as a semi-retirement plan); so it made sense to me to come out with a bachelors degree instead of an associates.

I completed my associates (AA) which helped me greatly when I went for my BSN years later...I did not need to repeat basic core courses. I had a few core courses that were university requirements (2 philosophy and 2 religion-great critical thinking pieces!) but went directly into my nursing courses, and finished in 2.5 years in a part time program with my BSN.

I suggest deciding what would be best for you against financial issues and the hiring market in your area, as well as any future plans. You may end up relocating to a place that prefers BSN educated nurses. You might go back to school to get your masters and decide to teach, or become a nursing leader, etc. You never know. *shrugs*

Whatever you decide, make sure you account for your market and the extra flexibility you may want to have in your career. Good luck!!!

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

I did AA and transferred to a BSN program, mostly because it would have taken me two years either way, and why not come out with a higher degree? I felt like another associate's degree was a side-step, instead of a step toward my ultimate goal of a B.S. or higher. Right now the job market for graduate nurses is highly competitive, and I think a BSN might just give you an edge. It also depends on where you live-- I live where the largest and best medical center in the world resides (okay, I'm a little partial) and most of the hospitals here require at least a BSN.

[zoe92]

I am doing the same thing as moonchild86. I graduate next week with an AA in psychology & AS in pre nursing. I start nursing school in the fall at a BSN program. I did it because I started in another major where I completed a lot of gen eds for a BA. So after one year when I switched to nursing, no matter what I had to complete my science pre reqs & then go to nursing school for 2 years... BSN it is.

[TC3200]

You'll have to work out the financial aid angles yourself. But as for associate vs. BS RN, you can complete the AS RN, pass the NCLEX-RN, find some kind of job, and then do the bridge to BS RN totally on line while working, or at least in Pennsylvania you can. Penn State's bridge is what a lot of people in western PA do, since there are quite a few diploma schools (hospital based) and associate degree programs in the area. All of the associate degree work transfers in, as do your nursing courses for RN. A lot of displaced workers and older career changers do the diploma or associate degree RN because that's what their Trade Act or WIA training money will cover. It's generally not enough cash for someone to complete a BS RN if they have to start from scratch as a freshman.

eta: As for where or if a new grad of an associate degree program can find a job, it depends on location. Rural PA still hires LPNs and associate degree RNs for hospitals. In the cities, and where there are many colleges & universities, there is glut of new grad BS RN and also those hospitals are going Magnet.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

Since it would only add a year to go BSN, I'd say go BSN if you think you may want to work in a major hospital. It's nearly impossible to get hired in one now without a BSN. An ASN will get you a hospital job in smaller cities and/or smaller hospitals, rehab, LTC, etc. but I personally would rather not close a door before I even get to it with the economy being this bad.

[Meeh619]

Okay I don't understand why people are doing the Associates program then going to the BSN. Why not just your BSN if that's what your goal really is.

I looked into the ADN and BSN program and what I found out is that the nursing part of both programs is 2yrs. People always tell me well the BSN is 2yrs more and I want my degree now. False if you really look and pay attention the ADN program is actually 3yrs. Most ADN programs don't count the 1yr of pre req's that are required. The BSN counts the 2yrs of pre req's that's why it's a 4yr program.

When I was researching the programs I called the community college to clarify and the advisor said "no ma'am the RN program is a 2yr program 1 yr less then the BSN" so I said in that 2yrs I will do my pre req's and the nursing classes? he said "no just the nursing" so I told him then it's a 3yr program because when you do your BSN the 4yrs include your 2yrs of pre req's and 2yrs of nursing.

So in both programs you are basically doing 2yrs nursing. So if you are planning on doing your BSN why do and extra yr of nursing? When you come in to do your BSN now you have to do 1yr more of pre req's which if you went straight to BSN you would have done anyway but now you are having to do an extra yr of nursing. So now it took you 5yrs to get your BSN instead of 4yrs because you did ADN first. That's not including the extra cash you will spend on that extra yr of nursing classes. Look into it I was going to do the same thing then realized that I would be wasting a yr. If the problem is that you want a job while doing your BSN, Most hospitals hire students with the first semester of nursing done.

[MommaTy]

I applied all over, got accepted to ADN so I will do RN to BSN later. Best bet apply to all.

[zoe92]

Okay I don't understand why people are doing the Associates program then going to the BSN. Why not just your BSN if that's what your goal really is.

I looked into the ADN and BSN program and what I found out is that the nursing part of both programs is 2yrs. People always tell me well the BSN is 2yrs more and I want my degree now. False if you really look and pay attention the ADN program is actually 3yrs. Most ADN programs don't count the 1yr of pre req's that are required. The BSN counts the 2yrs of pre req's that's why it's a 4yr program.

When I was researching the programs I called the community college to clarify and the advisor said "no ma'am the RN program is a 2yr program 1 yr less then the BSN" so I said in that 2yrs I will do my pre req's and the nursing classes? he said "no just the nursing" so I told him then it's a 3yr program because when you do your BSN the 4yrs include your 2yrs of pre req's and 2yrs of nursing.

So in both programs you are basically doing 2yrs nursing. So if you are planning on doing your BSN why do and extra yr of nursing? When you come in to do your BSN now you have to do 1yr more of pre req's which if you went straight to BSN you would have done anyway but now you are having to do an extra yr of nursing. So now it took you 5yrs to get your BSN instead of 4yrs because you did ADN first. That's not including the extra cash you will spend on that extra yr of nursing classes. Look into it I was going to do the same thing then realized that I would be wasting a yr. If the problem is that you want a job while doing your BSN, Most hospitals hire students with the first semester of nursing done.

I chose to do the traditional BSN, but I think a lot of people go for the ADN first for financial reasons. The ADN can be much cheaper tuition wise. And some do it because they want to start work as a RN sooner then continue for the BSN. Personally, the hospitals around me don't hire many ADNs anymore so you might as well go for the BSN instead of rushing for unemployment.

[TC3200]

Okay I don't understand why people are doing the Associates program then going to the BSN. Why not just your BSN if that's what your goal really is.

...

So in both programs you are basically doing 2yrs nursing. So if you are planning on doing your BSN why do and extra yr of nursing? When you come in to do your BSN now you have to do 1yr more of pre req's which if you went straight to BSN you would have done anyway but now you are having to do an extra yr of nursing. So now it took you 5yrs to get your BSN instead of 4yrs because you did ADN first. That's not including the extra cash you will spend on that extra yr of nursing classes. Look into it I was going to do the same thing then realized that I would be wasting a yr. If the problem is that you want a job while doing your BSN, Most hospitals hire students with the first semester of nursing done.

1. Not all associate degree RN programs require very many prereqs to be completed before you apply or before you start nursing. The prereqs vary widely. sample:

Have an earned ACT composite score or equivalent Accuplacer score of 19 an overall college cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher and a 2.5 or higher grade point average in these required college courses: ENGL101, PSYC101, SOC101, and CHEM111 with a minimum grade of “C” in each of these courses. Students who have completed or transferred with equivalent to BIOL 107 or BIOL108 do not have to complete the CHEM111 requirement ...

or their alternate that they allow to apply with is

Be a high school senior or graduate with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher,have a composite ACT score of 23 or higher or equivalent Accuplacer score, and complete college Chemistry 111 with a grade of “C” or better or have completed or transferred in Biology 107 or Biology 108.

from http://www.wvup.edu/healthsciences/Nursing Student Handbook Spring 2012.pdf

2. The diploma programs in PA are switching to 16 or 18 or 24 months, and requiring you to do all college coursework before starting the actual nursing. That may or may not take you 3 years to complete.

3. Not all nursing student candidates are starting from scratch with no college completed. Adults often have one or more degrees. For them, associate degree RN might only require taking the nursing classes as a part-time student.

4. It doesn't usually take 5 years to do AS RN then finish the BS RN. 4 or less should do it. Many people complete their non-nursing coursework while still in high school nowadays. Or like I did, they take the non-nursing classes part-time while still working full time. Then, doing the RN might be as short as 16 months diploma RN (and you are employable as RN at that point) then take another 12 months to complete the online BS completer/bridge to BSRN. So, if you work that just right, you are only a fulltime student for as little as 16 months, to a maximum of 24 months.

5. BS RN does add an extra year of nursing beyond the associate degree or diploma school nursing. Otherwise, there would be no need for a RN to BSRN bridge program. And historically, hospital-based RN programs were always 3 years long.

6. Some chose AS degree or diploma school because you got your hands dirty right from the start. You didn't spend 2 years studying something only to find that you don't really like cleaning up people, for instance. The BSRN degrees gradually wised up and changed. With either diploma or associate degree RN programs, you are doing clinicals as of the first term of the program. The BSRN college degrees of the '80s or before, like Pitt where my sister went, used to have students doing all classroom work the first two years before they ever did clinicals. Some of the more liberal-artys-fartsy BSRN programs are still that way.

7. Location. Adults might be location-bound due to family reasons or because they own a house. There might be a community college RN associate degree within commuting distance but not a BSRN program.

[TC3200]

I chose to do the traditional BSN, but I think a lot of people go for the ADN first for financial reasons. The ADN can be much cheaper tuition wise. And some do it because they want to start work as a RN sooner then continue for the BSN. Personally, the hospitals around me don't hire many ADNs anymore so you might as well go for the BSN instead of rushing for unemployment.

Having an associate degree always sounds better on a resume than "some college." Even if you are just applying for CNA or unit secretary jobs. Hospitals in western PA and in the Charlotte, NC are were still hiring associate degrees. They might be required to get the BS completed with a certain timeframe, though.

[TC3200]

I applied all over, got accepted to ADN so I will do RN to BSN later. Best bet apply to all.

I agree. Nursing schools all have many more applicants than seats. Of course, not all applicants are highly qualified. But apply to many and then you can pick and choose if you get accepted by all of them.