Associate or BSN ?

aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · May 29, 2007

Check into your local programs. See if your school has an accelerated BSN program for people that already have a bachelors degree.

DermNP2Be · May 29, 2007

BSN. That way you can always do something more in the future if you want to. Most of the time if you already have a Bachelors (or 2 solid years of college), you can complete a BSN in the same amount of time- or less than an ADN. So why not go for the bang?!

veronica77 · May 30, 2007

Just graduated last weekend magna cum laude, degree Kinesiology
but change of mind, now want to go to nursing school,
figured that out after 4 yrs ....
anyway should I go to community college for an Assoc. nursing or to university for BSN
ultimate goal = CRNA

I think it deppends on your personal situation. I have a BS in Psychology and thought about the same thing but considering I have two small kids the Assoc. works for me better now. Even though I want to get my BSN and a masters I'm not in a rush. I want to be with my kids as long as I can and also the money is an issue right now. Think about your sittuation. You can also get your BS and furhter preparation. It's a matter of what works better for you right now.

CRNA2BKY · May 30, 2007

I would highly recommend an accelerated BSN (ABSN) program. I also want to become a CRNA, and the ABSN program allows me to reach my goals the fastest. You will need a BSN to apply for a masters degree program for the CRNA, so it really doesn't make any sense to get an ASN. Also, you may want to check into "direct-entry" masters degree programs. Just check around and look into different programs. Good luck.

futurecnmstudent · May 30, 2007

There are some schools that have a direct entry master's program for students with a bachelor's in another field.

Megsd, BSN, RN · May 30, 2007

If you want to be a CRNA I'd do the accelerated BSN program over a direct-entry MSN program because from my experience, most direct entry MSN programs don't offer a CRNA option, and CRNA schools require (or at least request) a few years of work experience before applying, and the quickest way to do that is an accelerated BSN.

Several of my classmates have kinesiology/exercise science degrees. :)

UNFBSN2B · May 30, 2007

You already have a degree...you could go either way. Check into the programs available to you, and choose one that works for you.

analee23 · May 30, 2007

Like people have previously said, it depends on what you want to do. I was debating about a similar situation and did a traditional BSN program. My reasoning, don't know what the future will hold, wanted to either get an NP or CRNA in the future.

I'm currently very happy I did as there is a good chance my husband and I will be travelling overseas in the near future, and in order to work outside of the country as an RN, most places require a BSN (traditional). I know there are exceptions out there, but that has been my experience. Just FYI.

Analee

marilynmom, LPN, NP · May 30, 2007

I would do the accelerated BSN for sure in your situation, especially if your looking at CRNA. It is very competitive to get into a CRNA program and you don't want to limit yourself, you need a couple years working in ICU setting as well.

You just spend 4 years in school, you can get your ABSN in like 18 months.

Logos · May 30, 2007

I have a Bachelors and am going back for the associates in nursing- I did not find that I could get an accelerated bachelors any faster than an associates from the local community college. There are 4 required 8-10 credit nursing classes and they need to be taken in order so it's 4 semesters no matter what you do. At least here in PA.

future L&Dnurse · May 30, 2007

I think it depends an incredible amount on the schools and programs in your area. Before I started back to school, I talked to advisors for the BSN university program, and the ADN community college program. It turned out that because of my prior university courses (I was already a junior) I could finish the BSN in the same amount of time it would take to do the ADN. And, the ADN program here has a 3 year waiting list - the BSN program is highly competitive but doesn't have a waiting list at all - you either get in or you don't, and you can reapply. I will finish my BSN before I would even have started the ADN because of the waiting list. I would just look into what your prior credits are worth, and what waiting lists or other issues there are with both programs. It could actually be faster to get the BSN, and that is one less hurdle to jump through later if you decide you want to continue your education.