Bachelors and masters degree in non-nursing - ADN or BSN?

[maffechr]

I was just curious if anybody had an opinion on this matter.

I have a Bachelor's in Business Management and a Masters in Pubic Administration/ Health Care Administration. I would like to pursue a nursing degree, and given the fact that I already have a significant amount of student loans to pay back, I obviously want to get the best bang for my buck. I have looked at both ADN programs in New Jersey, such as Brookdale Community College, and BSN programs (such as UMDNJ's Part-time BSN program), and it's hard to ignore the significant price differential between the BSN vs. ADN. I'm 26, and while I'm still young, I'd like to become a BSN before I'm all done. So that has to factor in the equation, although I'd be willing to bridge from an RN to BSN to save the money.

Given this situation, I have two questions:

1) Will I run into any resistance from employers with only a ADN, despite the fact I have a master's degree in another non-nursing field?

2) If choose to do a BSN program, I would likely receive my BSN by the time I'm 30. If I chose a ADN program, it would probably be a few years later. Is there an opportunity cost of receiving a BSN a few years earlier, given the differences in tuition between the two degrees?

Thanks to anybody who can help.

[Fireman767]

Your in the same boat as I was. I got my bachelors in Health Care Administration a few years back, then jumped back in school for an ADN. Many hospitals will treat you the same as a BSN nurse because you have a bachelors in another field (although they do expect you to get a BSN, you already showed you can get a bachelors). The ADN route is usually cheaper, easier and depending on the area of the country your in, works fine. Im in pennsylvania where ADNs are hired more than BSNs, but NY,CT, FL, CA, etc all have no shortage of BSNs and a BSN is a minimum to find a job (usually the more metro areas require a BSN).

Your masters degree really has little play here. some programs and hospitals may look at it and ask about it, but it wont do much other than be a few extra questions in an interview. However if you went for nurse administrator masters in the future it would help you get into most programs. As far as the time goes, there are accelerated programs, but you need to be a really good student and have high grades in your past degrees. they also cost much more but take 12-16 months, where as an ADN takes about 21 months to complete (neither of those include pre-reqs).

[jetsy62]

I would look into a second degree program. They go by different names I guess but basically you already have a BS in something and end up with a BSN in two years. I would do that before I would go the ASN route if you already have a BS.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Your best option may be a "2nd degree" program. Such programs are tailored for people in your situation. They accept most of your previous academic work as meeting the "general education" for the BSN and you only have to take the basic nursing BSN courses (and maybe 2 or 3 others in supporting disciplines) to get your BSN.

Another option may be "dual enrollment" programs. In my state, many of the community colleges partner with 4-year state schools to offer a "dual enrollment" option for people with Bachelors Degrees in other fields. The student takes most of the ADN program at the community college (cheaper), but is simultaneously enrolled in the 4-year BSN program and takes a few course there (such as research, theory, community health, leadership, etc.). When the student graduates, he/she has the ADN ... with maybe only 2 or 3 courses left to complete for the BSN. That option is becoming increasingly popular in my region, where most of the major hospitals hire few ADN new grads.

I also recommend actually checking out the preferences of the employers where you foresee yourself working. Employer preferences vary.

Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

[CDEWannaBe]

If you can afford to go to school full-time the Accelerated BSN program is ideal. If you already have a BA and have the prereqs done, it takes another 12-18 months of intense courseworke (intercession, summer, etc.) and you earn a BSN.

An ASN will take 2 years. Check in your local area to see if the types of jobs you want are accessible with an ASN. In some parts of the country hospitals will hire only BSN.