Associate Degree program a thing of the past...

Great thread!

I have a question, maybe some of you have advice or insight. Given the tough market, I'm contemplating going straight from my ADN into an accelerated ADN-BSN program. I probably won't be able to work much during that time. Do you think employers worry about lost skills from being out of the ADN program? The ADN-BSN program doesn't have a lot of clinical time, mostly classroom.

Thoughts on "losing skills" or "getting stale"? Is it an issue, if in the end you come out with the BSN?

It's hard to say.....but, I think you should go straight through the BSN program. A lot of my coworkers are doing that, and working part time (one just moved to full time but she is done with her BSN next month.) and I don't think they have extra clinicals to do. Even part time or PRN work would at least keep you in a job and some of your skills kept up. And depends on the job market in your area. Do you work now and are you planning to stay there after you finish school? Good luck in whatever you decide. Not always easy to do, or an easy decision to make!

An ADN takes 4 years, not 2. I managed to get mine in three since I had already taken some degree requirements. One can get a BSN in as little as 3 years. I have actually heard of 2 year BSN programs. I don't see how they possibly squeeze everything into them.

You're backwards-- ADN is a 2 year degree (often 3 with pre-reqs)- BSN is 4 (sometimes 5 with prereqs)-- show me ONE reputable BSN program that has less classes and time than an ADN program. Good luck!

Ummm, yeah; You can not get a Bachelors degree in less time than an associates...a Bachelors is a HIGHER degree. Maybe gypsy is thinking of situations where people transfer (yes, my BSN program was three years, but I spent two years at a JC doing pre-reqs and lower division studies to transfer; some classmates were getting their BSN as a second bachelors) there are also the excelled programs (2yrs) but those are for people that already have a degree in something else and are only taking nursing courses. In whole, a ASN never takes longer to get than a BSN. And for me, I had just as many clinical hours as the ASN nurses; but I did have a heck of a lot more theory!

Ummm, yeah; You can not get a Bachelors degree in less time than an associates...a Bachelors is a HIGHER degree. Maybe gypsy is thinking of situations where people transfer (yes, my BSN program was three years, but I spent two years at a JC doing pre-reqs and lower division studies to transfer; some classmates were getting their BSN as a second bachelors) there are also the excelled programs (2yrs) but those are for people that already have a degree in something else and are only taking nursing courses. In whole, a ASN never takes longer to get than a BSN. And for me, I had just as many clinical hours as the ASN nurses; but I did have a heck of a lot more theory!

Agreed. It occurred to me that she may have been not taking into account that MANY BSN schools are jr/sr level that once must transfer into after 2-3 years of full time classes and pre-reqs. It just blows my mind that someone who claims to be a BSN wouldn't have a basic understanding of the differences between the two degrees as well as know how many of the programs work. (ALL the BSN programs in my area require transfer after all the gen eds and prereqs are done) But then, I've been a research machine in this over the past year or so.. lol

Even an accelerated BSN program takes 2 years. Some do it in18 months, but I don't see how that is even possible.

Even an accelerated BSN program takes 2 years. Some do it in18 months, but I don't see how that is even possible.

Aren't they for people with previous B.S. degrees? They stuff a LOT more into one semester than general programs, I guess the assumption is that post-grad students have their study habits well honed so that they can handle more information in a shorter amount of time. :/ I know an RN that did a ABSN program that was 1 year- but she had a degree in Bio and she said she'd never do it again because they really DO stuff all the same stuff into the program.

Yeah, my clinical instructor told us this the other day. She said in the US, by 2020, all hospitals will require a BSN, which sucks for me because I was lucky enough to get into an LPN program. I come from a small state where the nursing schools are competitive as hell. Good luck everyone and let's all pray we can get our BSNs soon!

Not true in the slightest. ADN programs require around 72 hours and BSN programs around 120. Last I checked, 120 was a lot more than 72.

I haven't checked, but if this is true, then I'm really ticked, because our ADN program requires 112 credit hours for graduation.

Aren't they for people with previous B.S. degrees? They stuff a LOT more into one semester than general programs, I guess the assumption is that post-grad students have their study habits well honed so that they can handle more information in a shorter amount of time. :/ I know an RN that did a ABSN program that was 1 year- but she had a degree in Bio and she said she'd never do it again because they really DO stuff all the same stuff into the program.

Most of them, yes, but not all. I was able to transfer half of my credits into my program (which by the BON requirements is 120 hours, not counting clinical hours.) I don't have a prior BS degree. I have a certificate for a LPN.

Yeah, my clinical instructor told us this the other day. She said in the US, by 2020, all hospitals will require a BSN, which sucks for me because I was lucky enough to get into an LPN program. I come from a small state where the nursing schools are competitive as hell. Good luck everyone and let's all pray we can get our BSNs soon!

Yep. If they aren't requiring it yet, you can bet they will be very soon. It is extremely competitive everywhere. Doesn't matter if it's a private college or 2 year CC. And it's hard work!

I haven't checked, but if this is true, then I'm really ticked, because our ADN program requires 112 credit hours for graduation.

Is that including your clinical hours? I'm speaking direct college course credit hours for degrees- not including clinicals.. S if you're adding 40 hours of clinicals the BSN would be roughly 160 hours.

Anyway you look at it, a BSN is going to require sometimes double the coursework..

Not every hospital so soon, no because there is a shortage of nurses and they're needed. Magnet hospitals, I imagine, have a lot of people coming to them because of the standards. But other hospitals are still in need.

I wonder how much of it isn't just about magnet status- but also because they no longer want to pay ADNs to get their BSN 'in ten' like they've been doing? I mean, rather than pay for that they just require one already has it.. they don't have to pay more for a BSN nurse hourly, and they save thousands not paying tuition.

It's sad that all the fringe benefits jobs once offered (in all arenas) are no longer being offered.