Associates vs Bachelors degree - Which to choose??

cn2007rn · Apr 7, 2005

Hi JPRPHOTOSERF,

I am also in your position, I graduated in 2003 with a BS in Business/Mktg/Mgmt, then I really started looking into different careers and found nursing to be so interesting and it would really fit my goals in life to have a fulfilling career while helping people along with my interest in science and technology.

I have decided to pursue a diploma or associate's degree to get my RN. The diploma is through a hospital program and the associate's is at my community college, I have applied to both and are waiting IMPATIENTLY for a response!

It took me a while to figure out what type of degree to get. I did a lot of research and found an RN with a BSN or ADN or diploma makes about the same amount of $ right out of school. The BSN RN will have more room to move up but you really need a few years experience as a bedside nurse anyway before getting into mgmt/administration.

I also considered a accelarated BSN program that would take about 14 months, but I could not quit my job completely to go to school and I really didn't want to take out $35,000 in loans!

Since I already have my bachelor's after I get my RN, I can go straight into a bridge MSN program, which I definitely want to do! And most likely the hospital I am working for will probably part for at least part of it. Plus, while I am working on my MSN I can be working in the field and getting experience.

For me the diploma/associate's was the most cost effective and time effective way for me to get an RN.

Note also, many programs require a few science prereq's before entering the program, so you probably want to start working on them in the summer or fall. This will also give you an idea if you will be really interested in what nursing deals with. If you like A & P most likely you will love nursing!

Hope this helps! Good luck with your decision! :)

jprphotoserf · Apr 7, 2005

Hi JPRPHOTOSERF,
I am also in your position, I graduated in 2003 with a BS in Business/Mktg/Mgmt, then I really started looking into different careers and found nursing to be so interesting and it would really fit my goals in life to have a fulfilling career while helping people along with my interest in science and technology.
I have decided to pursue a diploma or associate's degree to get my RN. The diploma is through a hospital program and the associate's is at my community college, I have applied to both and are waiting IMPATIENTLY for a response!
It took me a while to figure out what type of degree to get. I did a lot of research and found an RN with a BSN or ADN or diploma makes about the same amount of $ right out of school. The BSN RN will have more room to move up but you really need a few years experience as a bedside nurse anyway before getting into mgmt/administration.
I also considered a accelarated BSN program that would take about 14 months, but I could not quit my job completely to go to school and I really didn't want to take out $35,000 in loans!
Since I already have my bachelor's after I get my RN, I can go straight into a bridge MSN program, which I definitely want to do! And most likely the hospital I am working for will probably part for at least part of it. Plus, while I am working on my MSN I can be working in the field and getting experience.
For me the diploma/associate's was the most cost effective and time effective way for me to get an RN.
Note also, many programs require a few science prereq's before entering the program, so you probably want to start working on them in the summer or fall. This will also give you an idea if you will be really interested in what nursing deals with. If you like A & P most likely you will love nursing!
Hope this helps! Good luck with your decision! :)

Thanks cn2007rn for the info. I plan on taking my science pre reqs either this summer or fall.

Anyone else? Anyone..?

dawn1971 · Apr 7, 2005

I WAS in a similar situation. Each person has to decide for themselves (BLAH, BLAH), but here's what I did... I already had a BS in Sociology and was searching for a nursing school and was pondering the whole associates versus BSN. However, since I pretty much avoided as many science classes as I could the first time around, I would have to take the same pre-reqs to get into and complete the AS as the BSN. SO, I chose to get the BSN because I think it will offer me more opportunities if I ever want to go to the admin side of it. Since I already have a BS, I am in an accelerated program (they call it fast track) and it will take me 19 mo. to complete after I finish my pre-reqs. I will start nursing school this fall (after a year of full time pre-reqs) and there is NO way I could work except on the weekends. We will have clinicals 2 days a week from 7-5:30 and lecture/lab 4 hours for two other days (although technically it's only 8 hours!). Also, if my test scores fall below a 78%, I'm thrown out, so I'll really have to study (as does everyone! :) ). So, yes, I quit my full time job, work very part time/took out loans and am poor. After my first semester of nursing school though, a local hospital will pay $ towards my schooling, and give benefits for 20 hours a week as a student nurse. So, in the end I will be about $30,000 in debt, but I'd rather do it that way ($30,000 in debt/out in 2 1/2years total vs. less debt and who knows how long!) GOOD LUCK!

suzanne4, RN · Apr 7, 2005

It will all come down to where you can get in quicker...............whether you get the Diploma, the Associate's degree, or the BSN, you still sit for the same NCLEX exam. Simple as that..............

imaRN · Apr 8, 2005

Here's the story, of a lovely lady, :Melody:

Thirteen years ago I received my AD...(previously was an LPN, N.A. before that)....and have worked critical care for 12.5 years..Life happened and I am just now getting back in college to complete a BSN Degree. Today my hospital might not hire me due to the AD. :crying2: they hire AD's on an individual basis only. I am not saying this is right.... just how it is. I have been turned down for a position recently soley because of my lack of a BSN Degree. The dept. was ready to hire me, but was not allowed. (too bad they had already interviewed me) So if you do the AD be sure to "fast track" into the BSN a.s.a.p. And.........Yes, by all means let your employeer pay as much as they will. Of course I do not know how the Chicago area is on hiring AD's, it may be different where you are? :rolleyes:

(It's not so bad being a "Brady" )

inspir8tion · Apr 18, 2005

hello all,
i posted this on the "introductions" forum as well...i hope someone here can point me in the right direction. a bit of background: i have a ba in journalism and am *seriously* looking into nursing (and thereby increasing the percentage of men in nursing). i live in the suburban chicago area and there are several schools (universities & comm colleges) that all look good. my question is, which is better to get - an associates degree or another bachelors or masters? is one more limiting than the other as far as pay, promotional opportunities, etc? is one more attractive to employers than the other? i can't afford to quit my job to attend school full-time, so part-time is the best or unless i win the lotto. could i get an associates, get a job and have them pay for my continuing education? any assistance and opinions are greatly appreciated, thx!

hi!

may i suggest rush university http://www.rushu.rush.edu/nursing/ they have a two year bachelor degree, you do need prerequisites for it but i hear it is a very good program.

also, since you have a degree already, you could get an accelerated bsn.

as for paying for school - you could try to work in a hospital or medical center and they would help pay. or you could bite the bullet, quit your job, get loans and get it done faster and full time. i know that is not an option for everyone, but there are hospitals that will then help you pay off your loans when you get out.

good luck!

menetopali · Apr 18, 2005

the question is which gets you into the field quicker. i hold a BA and went with the ADN to get working more quickly and because it was significantly less expensive. i'm almost finished with my BSN as the MSN program here is easier to enter with a BSN than with an ADN and BA. as for working...most hospitals, to my understanding, hire ADN with the same voracity as BSNs. public health and administrative jobs seem to prefer BSNs and X number of years as a nurse.

mrsmoore · Apr 18, 2005

can a person get into nursing school right out of high school

inspir8tion · Apr 18, 2005

the question is which gets you into the field quicker. i hold a BA and went with the ADN to get working more quickly and because it was significantly less expensive. i'm almost finished with my BSN as the MSN program here is easier to enter with a BSN than with an ADN and BA. as for working...most hospitals, to my understanding, hire ADN with the same voracity as BSNs. public health and administrative jobs seem to prefer BSNs and X number of years as a nurse.

An ADN is a 2 year program and the BSN at Rush is 2 years. That is why I mentioned Rush University as an option. They both require prerequisites that can be taken in the same amount of time. So my answer is you can get into the field just as quickly but with a higher degree. Sorry if I wasn't clear on that.

inspir8tion · Apr 18, 2005

can a person get into nursing school right out of high school

You cannot get in directly out of high school, you have to take the prerequisites first which can be taken at any community college.

menetopali · Apr 18, 2005

An ADN is a 2 year program and the BSN at Rush is 2 years. That is why I mentioned Rush University as an option. They both require prerequisites that can be taken in the same amount of time. So my answer is you can get into the field just as quickly but with a higher degree. Sorry if I wasn't clear on that.[/quote
no apology needed. i just misunderstood your post and wanted to make sure the OP looked at all the options as they are. time to field, cost, and marketability at completion are the driving factors, as i see them, if all these are otherwise equal then a higher degree is better than a lower one. if these things are not otherwise equal, the individual has to weigh options and make priorities. in my situation the priority was gettinginto the field quickly and at lower total cost (program cost + lost wages).