ASN VS BSN

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I will be attending a 2 year Nursing school in the fall to get an associates in nursing and take the NCLEX to get my RN certification. One of the nurses at the hospital i volunteer at said that most places (hospitals/nursing homes) are looking for nurses with a BSN. Also, i know experience helps out a lot too. Do you think i would be able to get a job with an associate's degree and possibly only volunteer-work if i cant find a job with more responsibility in the next 2 years. .......Also, any advice for a pre-nurse student (in regards to school/work)?

Feedback is much appreciated.

Thank you.

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

The trend is towards BSN only. The job market is tight like every other job market.......and in some areas of the country, like California, unemployment amongst new grads is 47%. You can do your ASN and do a BSN bridge. Your credits will most likely not transfer becasue schools want the money spent at their school. Since you have a Bachelors in BIO have you also looked into direct entry Masters?

What's your goal? Be an RN and stop there? If so, I'd stay with the asn then bridge. If you want to ne advanced it may be wiser to go absn.

I think Esme12 is on to something.... direct entry masters sounds like a great plan.

My goal is yo be an rn, get a job, and after some experience, possibly move up to a np. It already requires some exp to get a masters and some jobs may pay for some of it. Do you mean go into a masters program in nursing? I dont think that is possible w/o prior nursing courses. Also, i keep hearing mixed messages. On one side, people say that the market is bad and finding a job will be hard, on the other people say nurses are always in need and there is a advantage for male nurses. I suppose there is a reason for both.

Specializes in Oncology, Critical Care.

The shortage is in various places of the country, such as california or New York have no shortage and there are 20+ year nurses looking for jobs where as other places like connecticut or Pennsylvania have a shortage and hire ADN or BSN. The direct entry masters programs are generally a 3 year program where the first year you work on your BSN, get your RN and immediately after you get it start the MSN for either Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, CRNA, etc. Those don't take experience but i have friends who went that route and say its a little tougher to find a job because your very qualified and have no experience. On the otherside, i know people who went that route and became very successful, so its iffy. Theres also an ADN/RN to MSN, in which after you get your ADN or RN you enter a program that grants you your BSN in about 6 months to a year and you do your MSN right after, similar to the Entry level MSN, but you spend the first 2 years in a slower pace, getting your RN.

Theres plenty of options, you just need to decide how fast. Many people rush into the fastest programs, and this leads to people failing out because they weren't prepared for the work or stress level. Most entry-level MSN and ABSN programs strongly recommend students not work during classes, so you need to decide if finances are a factor as well.

Specializes in PCU, LTAC, Corrections.

I agree with Fireman above. The program you choose depends on the job market in your area, your finances, and your time commitment. I am actually starting a ABSN program in the fall. I live in the NY tristate area and I am going to a school that is 15 minutes from my home. However, I do know that there is not a shortage in NY ( in the metro area at least , upstate NY is a different story in many areas). I know that I may have to move after graduation but I am ok with that. I do not have any children and I am not married so I am not tied down to a place like some other people. I say do what is best for you. I considered an entry level master program however I got into this program so that is where I will start.

I went for my BSN because I plan on either being a PNP/NNP or a CRNA. So I just counted out any program that did not give me a BSN or higher. Make the right decision for you. If an ASN program works better for you then take that road. Just know that some places will not hire your because you do not have BSN.

I would contact the programs you are interested in and ask about the transfer situation.

I missed the deadline last year and I just waited for the next admissions cycle. Maybe you should do that. Would a year make a true difference? It could give you time to save. Plus you would also maximize the amount fo school you are applying to.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
My goal is yo be an rn get a job, and after some experience, possibly move up to a np. It already requires some exp to get a masters and some jobs may pay for some of it. Do you mean go into a masters program in nursing? I dont think that is possible w/o prior nursing courses. Also, i keep hearing mixed messages. On one side, people say that the market is bad and finding a job will be hard, on the other people say nurses are always in need and there is a advantage for male nurses. I suppose there is a reason for both.[/quote'] Since you have a Bachelors in BIO have you also looked into direct entry Masters/NP?
Specializes in Med/Surg.

AccelBsn

Quick question, I just wanted to know what program you were in. I am a current LPN student, soon to be graduate in June. Looking into different paths to take. I am considering the ASN then BSN route. My goal is to become a CRNA as well. I am even willing to move if there is a a program that will allow me to get BSN quicker.

Around where I live, you can not go from one nursing program to the other, the nursing courses don't transfer, just the pre-reqs transfer. Good luck, I would contact the school you want to apply to after. I say finish the ADN program then get the RN to BSN track. That's what I am going to do :) I just got accepted to the ADN this fall.

I posted this before but wanted to get some more. I will be attending a 2 year Nursing school in the fall to get an associates in nursing and take the NCLEX to get my RN certification. One of the nurses at the hospital i volunteer at said that most places (hospitals/nursing homes) are looking for nurses with a BSN. Also, i know experience helps out a lot too. Do you think i would be able to get a job with an associate's degree and possibly only volunteer-work if i cant find a job with more responsibility in the next 2 years.Also, any advice for a pre-nurse student (in regards to school/work)?

Feedback is much appreciated.

Thank you.

I also already posted this and again want additional opinons. ok so i think the best route is to take an accelerated bsn program since i have a bachlors in bio...the problem is most schools have closed their apps for the fall....i have an idea but it seems kinda crazy let me know what you think. I'm acceptted to an Asn program so i'll do that in the fall and spring. In the summer a bsn program opens at another school so i may try to apply and get in. If i get in, hopefully they accept some credits from the asn. If not, i'll just retake them. If i do not get accepted into the bsn program, i'll stay with the asn. Does this plan seem reasonable? Any other ideas?

Thanks

Columbus State in Georgia is year-round & accepts students year-round. I believe the same with Jacksonville State University in Alabama. Look into those.

I'm in the same boat. I didn't have any medical experience before going to nursing school. Right now, I network. The school I attend placed us in the hospitals for clinicals the first semester, so network in different hospitals there. Having clinicals so early allows for you to have almost a year's worth of experience each year. I see some opportunities for nursing students at some hospitals like DeKalb Medical & Grady. So, I'm trying to get in with ppl I have networked with. I also do some volunteer work, which places you in circles that provide opportunities for work.

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