BSN or ASN? Decisions, Decisions..

Published

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to read my first post. I'm currently a pre-nursing student and I'm seeking to enter a nursing program rather soon than later. I only have a&p2, microbiology, & stat to take and then I'll have all my core completed. My question is should I apply for an associate program since those three courses aren't required to enter in? Or should I take those three classes for the fall and then shoot for a spring or summer bsn program? I've been in school for four years now and I guess I am a bit on the desperate side.. But who can blame me? I really want this. And the funny but not so funny side note is that I actually was accepted into a bsn program but couldn't start due to financial reasons that prevented me from taking those classes. That was last summer (2013) and now I'm financially ready, but I don't know if I should consider other options or not although I feel as though I'm too close to go any other route.

P.S. Sorry so lengthy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Medical/Surgical.

My recommendation is to apply to BSN programs. If you are planning to further your career after acquiring the Associate's degree, you still need about a year to get the BSN, and you also need a year on top of the two years if you are applying directly to a MSN. Since you've been accepted to a BSN program before, I assume your GPS's not that bad, so what's the harm in waiting half more year to finish the prerequisites and get the BSN then costing an entire year after getting the ADN?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

I would suggest getting your core stuff done as soon as possible. You don't want to have to worry about taking additional non-nursing coursework if at all possible because you want to complete the program and graduate from the school at the same time. It's not exactly fun to graduate from the program and not be able to test because you haven't gotten your degree yet!

Also, you should apply to every school that you're qualified to attend, as you become qualified to attend it. While it's good to get into a BSN program, you may have to wait for entry to that program. It very well could be the case where you might end up waiting as long to get through a BSN program through direct entry to that program as you would by going to an ADN program and transferring over and getting a BSN through an RN to BSN program.

Only you truly knows your situation well enough to determine whether you're going to be able to finish your "core coursework" while in nursing school or if it'll be easier on you to just concentrate on the nursing courses by themselves.

Good luck and I'm sure you'll determine the best course of action for you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

If you know you want your BSN, take the classes and do the BSN program. Plus, most markets require a BSN or that ADN-prepared nurses obtain their BSN within a certain amount of time of hire. It'll cost you less time and money in the long run to just go for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

I'm an ASN RN but I suggest you go the BSN route. Hospitals want it and you'll have more luck getting jobs!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion