Asn Or Bsn?

patwil73 · Dec 19, 2005

Not sure if it is different per state, but here in Washington there is no difference in pay between ASN and BSN. If you are trying to save money go to a community college, get out in 2yrs and live it up. Good luck to you.

Pat

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 19, 2005

It's your choice. I personally want a BSN, but am doing my ADN now, get employed in nursing and going back for my BSN.

Good luck

I invite you to do a search ADN vs. BSN as well.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2005

For the goals you mentioned, not spending much time in school and making money, it sounds like you're trying to talk yourself into the ASN, and that's probably a better match for you.

Both ASN and BSN nurses start out taking the same NCLEX and start out as new grad RN's pretty much on the same foot and making the same money.

The BSN become helpful on down the line, for those who want to pursue Masters degree, or enter fields such as community health, research, education, management, case management, etc.

I always advise those who have the opportunity to go ahead and get the BSN because one never knows what you'll want to be doing in 20 years and the BSN will give you an edge.

There are lots of RN to BSN programs as well, which is what I'm doing, so you can always get the BSN later.

I've been doing bedside nursing for 15 years and still have about 20 more years to work, I want the opportunity the BSN is going to afford me to get away from the bedside when I don't feel like doing that anymore. Just this week someone said to me "you'd be great at case management, you should apply for the job....do you have a BSN". When I said no, she said never mind they couldn't use me. Strange what power a little degree holds. Now there are plenty of stories of people who have moved on to high paying positions of power with an ASN and experience, so an ASN is a good degree to have.

MikeyBSN · Dec 21, 2005

The pay rate for ASN and BSN is the same, but as I've told other people on here I would be careful about going for an Asn now. Many, many hospitals I interviewed with told me they were no longer hiring new nurses unless they had a BSN. Plus, after years of talk and threats, a little bird told me that the State of New York BON is a hair away from requiring all practicing nurses to have a BSN. Once NY does it I'm sure New Jersey and other states will follow suite. I think you might be limiting yourself with going into an ASN program now.

monkcat · Dec 22, 2005

I'm going for my ADN now. But I have two small children and a husband busting his tail to get me through school financially. AFter I get my ADN, I can work and help ease the financial burden. I can also take BSN courses, which many hospitals here actually help pay for your continuing education. I fully intend to get my BSN, but in a way that stresses my family the least. May go for masters. Not sure on that one.

The reason I want the BSN, is I'm 37 and realize I'm only going to get older. :) If there comes a time I don't want or am not physically able to work the floor, I can move more easily into other positions with my BSN. That is my only real motivation for going from ADN to BSN. Here the pay and the job are the same. We're also so strapped for nurses that many ADN go to management jobs with no problem. But I want to increase my options.

My main goal is to work as soon as possible and then continue the education.