ASN vs. BSN

js408 · Apr 13, 2009

If RN is your destination then an ASN degree is fine. You have a lot more schools to choose from, it takes less time, less competition, you don't have to do a lot of the harder courses, and it costs a lot less. The downsides to ASN-

Some RN jobs may require a BSN.

If you want to move up the ladder and do administration or management, you may need a BSN.

If you ever decide to get into a nursing specialty or advanced practice nursing, you will need a BSN.

If you decide to go later for your BSN, you may not be eligible for certain grants, scholarships, or financial aid because you already have a degree.

I am currently working on my pre-req.s and plan on working towards a BSN. I have heard that the pay scale is pretty much the same for RNs with an ASN/BSN degree. I am in my thirties and want to get through nursing school as quickly as possible. I also want to work at a hospital while in nursing school and the ASN program would only be a little shorter (with all of the pre-req.s), but the course load would be a lot less. I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me some advice on this. Has anyone been contemplating the same thing???

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2009

Entry level BSNs and ASNs both become RNs taking the same exam, so it's understandable that bedside RNs at an entry level would make the same salary.

The BSN comes in handy on down the line, getting you jobs away from the bedside as you age in nursing. How long do you expect to work. You're in your 30's so you might have another 30 working years, unless you have alternative plans for retiring early.

I would advise getting the BSN out of the way, if there's any way. Many BSN students hold jobs as CNAs. How much do you have to work to make ends meet?

Good luck!

nursestudent1975 · Apr 13, 2009

Thanks. I didn't know about the financial aid aspect of already having a degree. I'll have to look into that.

FA to CRNA2b · Apr 13, 2009

Another ASN v. BSN thread, oh goody! :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

nursestudent1975 · Apr 13, 2009

My ultimate goal would be to go into the CRNA program. It's just that three years (BSN) seems like a lifetime away. Then at least a year experience, then 36 more months of schooling (CRNA)...I hope to be able to work as a CNA while in school for my BSN. I would be juggling work, school (which is an hour commute,so two hours a day on the road) and my son. It seems like a lot, sometimes even now I only get in four hours of sleep. It may seem impossible, but in the long run all of the work will pay off.

Thanks!

js408 · Apr 13, 2009

If you want the CRNA then an associates degree is the wrong way to go

My ultimate goal would be to go into the CRNA program. It's just that three years (BSN) seems like a lifetime away. Then at least a year experience, then 36 more months of schooling (CRNA)...I hope to be able to work as a CNA while in school for my BSN. I would be juggling work, school (which is an hour commute,so two hours a day on the road) and my son. It seems like a lot, sometimes even now I only get in four hours of sleep. It may seem impossible, but in the long run all of the work will pay off.
Thanks!

caliotter3 · Apr 13, 2009

It would be wise to take the time to get the BSN accomplished now. It is not necessarily so that the ASN would be shorter at this time. You may get on a waiting list. Down the road it will cost more to go to school and there is the added expense of accommodating school with a working schedule. Also programs may change somewhat, making some of your current courses obsolete or just adding extra courses. If you get your BSN now, imagine this scenario. You are working in a facility that in the future places on ultimatum on nurses to get a BSN or lose their jobs. Some nurses won't be able to comply. Others will be very inconvenienced. You will be sitting pretty because you took the time and effort to get your BSN at the start of your career instead of waiting. Good luck with whichever road you decide to take.

OrthoFNP · Apr 13, 2009

It all depends. The ASN route is fine for some. Take me for example. My goal is an MSN. I think it is often hard for some people to think outside the box. It is actually great for me for several reasons. First off, I have a B.A. already. For this reason I already have a lot of the classes that are required for the BSN like Comp 101, Public Speaking, College Algebra, Biology etc. There are only a few classes I lack. Since I already have a lot of these, I can fill in the blanks in my nursing schedule (which would consist of these classes if I did not already have them) with other pre reqs for the bridge program. So, I can actually do an RN-MSN program and be done in three or four years and walk away with an MSN. I could also do an RN-BSN bridge and be done in 3 years. PLUS...the ASN will cost $3,000 and the bridge to BSN another $3,000. I can work in the hospital and do the bridge program. If I were to do an accelerated or traditional program, it would have cost me $10,000 and I would not have been able to work for an entire year and a half. For some I do think that the ASN is a better route. Sometimes getting into an ASN program is just more realistic.

sugaplm2 · Apr 14, 2009

I'm a senior in college graduating in a non-nursing degree this year. I'm getting my BA in Women's studies and a minor in Sociology.

Last year I decided I really wanted to become a nurse, but it didn't make sense to drop out with my BA almost complete. Now I'm really confused on whether I should go for a 2nd degree BSN or an ADN. It's going to take me a little over a year to finish all the pre-reqs for either program.

Accelerated BSN programs seem almost impossible to get into, and I'm afraid my BA GPA might not be competitive enough. I'm starting to feel that it would make more sense to go for an ADN and eventually bridge over for a BSN. Am I wasting my BA by doing this?

js408 · Apr 14, 2009

Probably. Getting your BA will waive general education requirement and will make you inelegible for many kinds of financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. Also many schools won't accept you into nursing school if you already have a degree. For example SJSU won't accept anyone who already has a bachelors degree.

Getting an ADN may or may not help you with the BSN. You can try to get into some ADN to BSN accelerated program, but having the ADN will also make you ineligible to receive some financial aid.

If you really want to be a nurse then you should probably switch majors to BSN.

I'm a senior in college graduating in a non-nursing degree this year. I'm getting my BA in Women's studies and a minor in Sociology.
Last year I decided I really wanted to become a nurse, but it didn't make sense to drop out with my BA almost complete. Now I'm really confused on whether I should go for a 2nd degree BSN or an ADN. It's going to take me a little over a year to finish all the pre-reqs for either program.
Accelerated BSN programs seem almost impossible to get into, and I'm afraid my BA GPA might not be competitive enough. I'm starting to feel that it would make more sense to go for an ADN and eventually bridge over for a BSN. Am I wasting my BA by doing this?

maggie24 · Dec 19, 2009

True, SJSU will not take 2nd bachelor's students, but at SJSU you can still do their RN-BSN Advanced Placement program, and they will accept all of those GE class from your undergrad.

You can also do RN-MSN programs which will also take into account your undergrad work. Whether you do those GE as part of your BA or BSN doesn't really matter.

I am planning on doing SJSU's RN-BSN program after I get my RN (I already have a B.S. too)