Associate RN or BSN

[RN 2 B]

Hi All,

I was told that associate programs are more hands on with skills than BSN programs. I'm debating of should I go straight for BSN or go for associate first. I know all programs are different, but can anyone give me some advice on straight bsn or associate rn to bsn program. Thanks!

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Do a search on ADN and BSN programs. You will find your answer. This question has been asked and answered numerous times.

[RN403, BSN, RN]

Research the facilities in your area to find out which time or nurses they prefer. Allow your findings to guide you. There are many other threads on this topic that you might find of assistance as well.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The answer to this question will depend largely on your career goals as well as the nursing employment market in the geographic area where you reside.

Hospital systems in some cities and states only hire new grads with BSN degrees. Therefore, if you wish to work in an acute care hospital, and you live in a geographic area where recruiters prefer to hire nurses with BSN degrees, you may want to pursue the BSN degree.

However, if you are fine with working outside the hospital setting in home health, clinics, hospice, nursing homes, group homes, jails, prisons, or schools, the ADN degree should suffice. Good luck to you.

[klone, MSN, RN]

All nursing programs, regardless of ADN or BSN, are required to have a minimum required number of clinical hours. Beyond that, it's dependent upon each individual program, and you would need to research each one. I don't think it's accurate at all to say, across the board, that ADN programs have more hands-on than BSN programs.

[melissa.in.san.diego, BSN]

I just finished an ADN program last month. I do not think it was more or less hands on than other programs. I think I difference is hospitals are getting more picky and IF the decide to go with a new grad, it is much more likely to be a BSN nurse. If you are young, no family, or financial obligations, I'd say shoot for the BSN program. I didn't have the time/resources to put into a longer program. However, I did land a job in an ICU as a new grad; but I had to relocate for it. The DC/northern Virginia area was very competitive, and all the jobs were going to the BSN prepared nurses.

[firstinfamily, RN]

I started nursing with my ADN. We were in the hospital training within a month after starting the program. Because the ANA was working in trying to make nursing more of a recognized profession they were recommending nurses have their BSN. Many diploma nursing schools have closed due to this and lack of funding. I personally felt that I was prepared to enter the hospital environment with my ADN and like you I was hired directly into ICU as a graduate nurse. The hospital provided all the training I needed for the specialty area. When I returned to college to finish my BSN I found the clinical/hands on time was very lacking. Nursing students did not enter the hospitals until their Junior year of the program. It does depend on the program you enter and these are questions that you need to ask. I was a self-supporting student and did not want to go into great debt, the ADN program worked great for me but I also recognized the need to continue my education. I worked as an RN while finishing my BSN.