BSN or ADN for a person with a B.S. in Heath Science and a M.S. in Exercise Science?

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I'm thinking about entering nursing, would it benefit me to get a BSN or ADN to become a RN considering my educational health related background?

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ADN. You already have higher level degrees that are in the science field. I also have a higher level degree and an ADN and my other degrees seems to helped me quite a bit. Even as a new grad I was getting interviews because I had "professional experience" and wasn't really seen as a new grad.

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thanks for the reply, i thought i read somewhere that employers would prefer the BSN, the accelerated BSN would take me a 1-1.5 years, ADN would take at most a year. I was thinking that my science and health care courses from my b.s. and m.s. would make up for not having a BSN, if i went the ADN route.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

I would recommend getting a BSN, and I say that as someone who had both a BS and a PhD in a different field (chemistry) before I went to nursing school. I was applying to both BSN and ADN programs, and my plan was to just go to whichever accepted me first, but I'm really glad I ended up in a BSN program.

Why? Because I was under the mistaken impression that BS + ADN = BSN, but found out I was wrong. You must have a BSN to be a public health nurse or school nurse in my state, and having a BS + ADN would not have cut it. And some hospitals are now hiring only BSNs, or giving preference in hiring to BSNs.Generally, most positions which require a BSN will not consider you if you have only an ADN, even if you have a BS (or MS, or PhD) in another field. There are some exceptions to this -- for example, some (but not all) MSN programs will accept RNs with ADN + non-nursing BS.

I'm not saying you wouldn't get a job with an ADN, just that you would likely have more options with the BSN. You can do an RN to BSN bridge after getting an ADN, but that's more time and more money. Why not go straight for the BSN? As someone with a BS, you could do an accelerated BSN program in 12 to 18 months, which is less time than most ADN programs. The only advantage I can see of doing an ADN program is that they are substantially less expensive (which is important, of course!).

Oh, and you better believe that I and my fellow accelerated BSN grads were very much seen as new grads, despite the fact that most of us had years of "professional experience" in other fields, and in some cases in other health care professions.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.
thanks for the reply, i thought i read somewhere that employers would prefer the BSN, the accelerated BSN would take me a 1-1.5 years, ADN would take at most a year. I was thinking that my science and health care courses from my b.s. and m.s. would make up for not having a BSN, if i went the ADN route.

ADN programs are generally at least 2 years, so it would actually take you longer than doing an accelerated BSN. However, they tend to be less intensive, so it would be somewhat easier to work and go to school at the same time -- most accelerated BSN students don't work at all while doing the program, though I did know a few who worked part time or even full time -- not sure how they did it without going insane!!! (and if you have kids, as I do, forget about working while doing an accelerated BSN).

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I think an accelerated BSN would be your best option. Good luck!

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thanks for the reply, i thought i read somewhere that employers would prefer the BSN, the accelerated BSN would take me a 1-1.5 years, ADN would take at most a year. I was thinking that my science and health care courses from my b.s. and m.s. would make up for not having a BSN, if i went the ADN route.

How do you figure the ADN will only take a year? Unless it's an accelerated program, the nursing coursework is over two years.

I went the accelerated BSN route because it was shorter and in my area there is a strong hiring preference for BSNs.

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I had my Bachelors in Exercise Science and I completed an excelerated BSN program. I would only consider the BSN at this point like others suggested. My hopsitals are only looking to hire BSN nurses. If you are going to go back and spend the money you might as well do it right the first time.

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Specializes in Peds OR as RN, Peds ENT as NP.

I say accelerated BSN. Although I don't have that Masters, I too have a BS in Health Science and am beginning final semester of ABSN program. That is why these programs were created. I have a classmate whose first degree is Fashion Design. You can do it!!!!!

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Thanks guys for the reply, accelerated BSN it is, plenty of programs here in Florida, hopefully I can find one that starts in Spring 12. Another question would my M.S. in Exercise Science help with landing job after I get my BSN? A lot of the course work focused on cardiac and respiratory rehabilitation and advanced human physiology.

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Specializes in Peds OR as RN, Peds ENT as NP.

I am too in FL. I think FSU has a spring start. My school definitely has a Summer and Fall Start. UF is now only in the Fall. Of course there is alot of other schools in FL.

To answer your question, I would think so. It definitely depends. There are so many different areas in nursing I think you would succeed given your background. I would also advise you to check out direct entry programs if you are looking for another masters.

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Prototype561, I'm just curious as to why you want to do "nursing"? Thanks

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