Associates degree first or straight to a BSN program?

[FutureRN0914]

Hi, I am new to this website, I am not sure if I am in the correct category if I am not then I apologize. However I am currently in a dilemma, I am not sure if I should attend a community college first or, attend a BSN program right away. I heard that if you get kicked out of the BSN program that you cannot transfer your credits to a different school because other nursing schools will frown upon the fact that you have been kicked out. Is it difficult to transfer your current credits to a different school if you get kicked out of a BSN program? So over all what I am asking is if I were to get my associates at a community college and transfer to an RN to BSN program will this be a better option? Or should I go straight to the BSN program even though this option contains some cons?

-If you are currently in nursing school or a nurse please mention that as well, thankyou.

[Toadette, MSN, RN]

I can't answer your question about transferring credits.

Regarding to your question about the ADN and BSN program (without getting into the ADN/BSN debate), I would look at both programs in terms of time commitment, NCLEX pass rates, and affordability. So many ADN programs these days are taking 3-4 years to complete but are more affordable than the BSN route. On the other hand, in the same amount of time, you could have completed a BSN program but it may be many times more expensive.

If it were me and both programs were of similar cost and quality, I would go for the BSN program simply because of the completion time.

Best of luck to you!

[Cat365]

It also partially depends on where you live. I had no problems getting a good job with an ASN but I know that in some areas of the country I wouldn't have been able to.

What stage of life are you in? Do you qualify for tuition assistance or grants?

When I went I already had another Bachelors degree so I didn't qualify for grants and had to take out student loans. An associates was a cheaper way to get working sooner.

Check whatever school you are considering out first though. I considered five. I found out one was not accredited so I crossed it off my list. Another schools program schedule seemed designed for younger students that didn't need to hold down a job. Two others were just too expensive. So I focused on meeting the requirements of the last one and it was the right choice for me.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

I went straight to BSN, graduated with zero student loans. I'm glad I did it. I see many nurses who 2-year degrees struggle with the idea of going back to get a BSN when they are already making good money and usually a BSN won't garner a raise...it will just open up more doors. Also, once you have kids and life gets in the way, it becomes harder and harder to go back.

But if you can't afford a BSN, the ASN is a great way to go and then many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for RN-BSN programs.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I was able to go a long way with my ASN, up to and including being a DNS in long-term care, but that was 20 years ago. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen very often nowadays and a BSN is preferred for many nursing jobs, especially in acute care and management. I remember thinking that I'd go back for a BSN and eventually a master's degree so I could teach; but life happened, I got used to making good money, and I no longer wanted to try to figure out organic chemistry and statistics in my 40s.

That's why I recommend going straight through and getting your BSN. It's really, really hard to go back once you're into your career. I know many nurses who have done exactly that, but if I had it to do over again, I'd have gone through the four-year program. Good luck to you whatever you decide to do.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I heard that if you get kicked out of the BSN program that you cannot transfer your credits to a different school because other nursing schools will frown upon the fact that you have been kicked out. Is it difficult to transfer your current credits to a different school if you get kicked out of a BSN program?

The reason nursing credits do not transfer (and it doesn't matter if you were kicked out of a program, moving to a new area and transferring schools, or any other reason) actually tends to be that schools do not have courses structured the same. The state BON sets what must be covered; however, schools may cover that material in whatever order they deem appropriate. There is no way for a new school to know that you've covered all of the required material if they take courses from other schools.