associates degree worth it?

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Hi All,

I am considering going into nursing as a second career.

I looked into U of A's MEPN degree, but it just looks expensive and not really worth it. I already have a BS and an MS, and I don't want to go into massive debt for another collection of letters that doesn't even give me a BSN or MSN.

So my question is the ADN worth it in the Tucson job market?

I keep reading that nobody will hire you without a BSN. I know that it's not easy to find a job anywhere anymore, but would I just be wasting my time getting the associate's degree?

I would be willing to do a RN to BSN course eventually, but I'd like to be working while I do it because A) money and B) I'm already older than most new graduates so I don't want to waste any more time getting experience.

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Specializes in ICU.

Although GCU is a bit pricier because it is a private school, it is not outrageous. They have a Tucson BSN Program and I've heard good things about it... And they have great job placement rates for their graduates. I'm going to NAUs Tucson BSN program. It's ~$4,000 a semester in tuition, MUCH less than U of As MEPN which was my "plan B". I know this isn't really responding to the question asked, but just wanted to let you know that there are other BSN programs in Tucson!

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I will look into both of those programs. Thanks for the info!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Your bachelor may help you even if you only have and Associate Nursing degree but everyone contemplating nursing school needs to understand that If you don't have a BSN you may not get a job. Sorry, but this is the directions things are headed. If the community colleges are not making this clear to students then they are doing them a real disservice.

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From everything I have heard, hiring nurses without a bachelor's is slowing down incredibly and soon they won't be hiring many, if any, at all.

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Many companies prefer a bachelor's but with already having a BS and a MS I do not think you would be looked at like a typical ADN nurse. At my hospital, especially at the graduate level, there are more non-nursing graduate degrees than nursing.

Most places want to simply know that you are professional enough, dedicated enough, and intelligent enough to earn a degree and not necessarily what that degree is.

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic.
Hi All,

I am considering going into nursing as a second career.

I looked into U of A's MEPN degree, but it just looks expensive and not really worth it. I already have a BS and an MS, and I don't want to go into massive debt for another collection of letters that doesn't even give me a BSN or MSN.

So my question is the ADN worth it in the Tucson job market?

I keep reading that nobody will hire you without a BSN. I know that it's not easy to find a job anywhere anymore, but would I just be wasting my time getting the associate's degree?

I would be willing to do a RN to BSN course eventually, but I'd like to be working while I do it because A) money and B) I'm already older than most new graduates so I don't want to waste any more time getting experience.

I live in Tucson, had a previous bachelors degree and decided to go to nursing school. I got my associates from Pima Community College in May of 2012. I was hired in June in the ER if a local hospital and have since moved to another local hospital. I am very happy and think having worked 2 places with my ADN certainly shows that us ADN grads certainly have opportunity here in Tucson. Good luck!

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