Bachelor degree

A lot of places are now requiring and looking more for nurses to have a BSN, especially hospitals. Also, if you ever want to become an advanced practice nurse, you will definitely need to go the BSN route. So basically, a BSN sets you up for a better chance at a career, more opportunities, and gives you the ability to look into the possibility of an advanced practice pathway.

Oh boy. Search the website. There is TONS on this. Biggest advantage of obtaining a BSN is more job prospects, mostly in the hospital setting. I chose to get my associates first, and now finish my BSN. I in no way regret this. It works well for me and many others. For others yet, it is best for them to go the BSN route from the beginning. Each BSN program is different. You might get more community health, more management classes in a BSN vs Associates. But some universities don't offer more. It's best to read through the classes of a particular university before choosing. Programs vary in amount of time spent on certain content

And of course what above poster stated about continuing education to the advanced practice level. But you could also do an RN (from associates) to MSN bypassing the BSN. So it's still possible to advance your degree without the BSN. Which ever path one goes, it is a personal decision with drawbacks and advantages to whichever you choose. I'm personally finishing my RN to BSN, and then will obtain further advancement, while previous classmates of mine are doing RN to MSN because it suits their lives, current jobs, financial situation, family situation better. My route suits my life better.

My manager kindly told me that while I would be grandfathered in and not fired for not getting my BSN, I probably would have a hard time being hired elsewhere.

What are the benefits of continuing education and getting a bachelor's degree over an associates degree?

It would make you far less likely to end up one of the 25-year burnout cases I work with.