BSN or ADN? I have a chance to do either, but need help!!

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 29, 2012

In most cases, the BSN is the better choice as it will give you more job opportunities after graduation. However ... there are some details that are important to consider that you didn't include in your original post.

1. What is the quality of both schools? If either one is of dubious quality -- definitely go to the other one. Don't waste your time, effort, or money on a bad education.

2. Will you get enough financial aid from the BSN program to avoid major problems with student loan debt aftern graduation? Most experts advise that your total loan debt not exceed your annual salary in the first year or two after graduation. Will you be prepared to repay the loan and make whatever lifestyle choices are necessary to do that? (e.g. You'll need to work full time, maybe delay having children, etc. for a couple of years to pay down the debt.)

3. What is the job market like in your region? Can new ADN graduates get decent jobs? In some parts of the country, the best jobs are limited to BSN grads. But that is not true in all communities. You need to know what to expect as a new grad (in the future) in your area.

Good luck with whichever program you choose.

MrNJMurse · Nov 29, 2012

I feel it's best go get your BSN over with right away. I graduated in December with my ADN and have been trying to take classes while I work for my BSN. it's not easy working full-time and taking classes. But... I finished by associates for about $10,000. Compared to what I would have paid for a bachelors degree in New Jersey that's not bad. You'll end up needing the BSN soon enough. I'd say get it out of the way.

hudabelle · Nov 29, 2012

I agree about getting the BSN. There is word (at least in WaState) that all RN's will soon be required to have their BSN anyway.

Then again, you could always do the ADN and get a job with an employer that will help pay to finish the BSN.

I am applying to every RN school around and I may need to make this same decision.

FormerLawyer · Nov 29, 2012

I'm going the ADN route, but I have a BS and JD already, and I want to pay for the classes myself. If you are talking about 21k a semester and you mention aid, i have to ask, is this loans you refer to, or is this this grants and scholarships? because that is a lot of money. A lot of non-dis-chargeable debt that will take over your life and if you cannot find a job, it was a waste of that money. i don;t mean to be harsh, but I wish someone had said these things to me, four years ago.

As for the soon BSNs will be required, i have read enough on this site to understand this is not going to happen anytime soon. I think one state passed a law saying that. Tons of ADNs left the state, and the law was repealed in 2003.

If you can get your ADN first, you can work on your BSN later. But I can assure you, 21k a term is too high. if you have six terms, that's 126k for the education. If you are talking about loans, that is more than I took out for my law degree and there is no way that is justified for a Bachelor's. You will have a monthly loan payment on average of $1260.00, that is not including the interest.

I'm sorry to be a buzzkill, but i see a lot of other young people making choices that they are going to be paying off for years, and those ones are the lucky ones. The unlucky ones have defaulted, and are getting charged huge interest fees and penalties. You cannot justify that kind of tuition for a four year degree.

zoe92 · Nov 29, 2012

Personally, I chose BSN because in my area that is what is preferred and I want to be a competitive graduate. I am applying to six BSN programs for the fall (4 at state schools, 2 at private schools). It depends on your area though. If you are getting a lot of aid like you said to bring 21k down then I think you should just go for the BSN.

Lovely86 · Nov 29, 2012

I live in Key West at the time, there is only one College on the whole island and it only offers ADN. I was palling on getting my BSN right away but then thought to myself that I can get my ADN and once I have achieved that I can take online classes to get my BSN while working. I this this is the better option, for me at least. Honestly, I would not pay that kind of money you are talking about. Good luck!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Nov 29, 2012

Usually I say that you should get your BSN... however, at $21k/semester, that adds to a lot of non-dischargeable debt that will follow you around. I'd be very careful about that, even if it's with a reputable school/program. You want to exit school with as few debts as possible. It'll make life later much easier. You may wish to go ADN and then do the BSN upgrade later. Weigh your options and go from there!

taraer1206 · Nov 30, 2012

Thanks everyone! You have all been a HUGE help! I can choose between one or the other, but I think I will meet with the financial aid personnel of the Private school and find out EXACTLY how much aid I will receive and how much I will have to take out in loans each semester. If it is do-able for the future I will probably pick the BSN. If it doesn't look affordable for my future, I will definitely be going ADN and bridging over in the future. Thank you again so much! :) :) Happy Friday everyone!

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 30, 2012

Your plan sounds like a good one, taraer1206. Good luck!

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2012

21k a semester is insane. Is it a four year program or are you entering as a senior?? If it is four years, you're looking at $168,000 debt. That is $50,000 more than the loan I took out on my home. It's mortgage. You'll be paying that kind of money back for 30 years and may never get to buy your own home because of such a debt. I'm just trying to put the loan size in perspective for you.

Is the ADN program also a private program or at a community college? It may make more fiscal sense to take that route and then bridge to an online BSN program at a state school where the tution will total somewere between 9 to 15k. You're looking at a total of maybe $25-$30,000 saving $138,000. And sometimes the hospitals you work for will pay for the BSN.

There is no DOUBT BSN is becoming more and more necessary... but is that kind of debt worth it??

May I ask what school you're considering for that kind of tuition?

BarbaraNM, ASN, RN · Nov 30, 2012

Thanks everyone! You have all been a HUGE help! I can choose between one or the other, but I think I will meet with the financial aid personnel of the Private school and find out EXACTLY how much aid I will receive and how much I will have to take out in loans each semester. If it is do-able for the future I will probably pick the BSN. If it doesn't look affordable for my future, I will definitely be going ADN and bridging over in the future. Thank you again so much! :) :) Happy Friday everyone!

Good luck to you! Another thing to look at, at least starting out.... is the comparative rate of pay between ADN and BSN. Where I live (Albuquerque, NM), starting pay for BOTH graduate nurses is exactly the same. Yes, BSN is preferred and may eventually be required, but I like the idea of getting the ADN first, then bridging to BSN. I just enrolled in Excelsior College for ADN, and will look into the possibility of BSN later...