BSN or NOT

Published

Hello....I'm a recent ADN graduate. I'm strongly considering furthering my education in order to obtain a BSN. I would like to find out how many ADN's are doing this and/or how many wish they would have.

In addition, I would like to give a little background of my particular situation. I have a great job offer, which will begin in two months. However, I have an amazing opportunity to continue school full-time, which is paid for by grants, in order to complete the seven pre-req classes I need in order to transfer into a RN-BSN program. If I choose to continue with school, I could finish a BSN program in three years. On the other hand, if I take the full-time RN position, I will gain numerous skills but will finish school in 6-7 years, possibly more, without the benefit of full grants and scholarships.

Also, after two semesters of full-time classes, I could then work full-time and finish the remaining classes online.

So, the question is.......do I take the job or do I finish school?:confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can understand the attraction of getting a degree paid for, but I think you can accomplish nearly the same thing without sacrificing full-time work experience. Tons of hospitals offer tuition reimbursement to their nurses who are working on more education.

One thing that sticks out about your post is the length of the RN-to-BSN program. I believe that most programs are much more efficient than that, even while accomodating mostly full-time working nurses.

I understand that the BSN is more advantageous now than it was even a couple of years ago, but I just wouldn't spend seven years in any program, even half-time, unless you could call me doctor when I finished. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology.

I don't know where you live but normally RN-BSN program only takes about 18-24 months in most cases. Especially if you are also taking online classes. I am doing RN-BSN at a local college and it will take me about 15 months. I say take the job b/c many hospitals have tuition reimbursement programs. You can save yourself a lot of money. If money is not an issue for you I would look into a shorter program and work per diem or part time. Good luck and congrats on the job offer. :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks to you both for the advice. It isn't the actual BSN program that will take the time, it's getting the seven pre-req classes I need before I can even transfer into the program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Hem/Onc.

Take the job. If your employer doesn't have tuition reimbursement....keep working while looking for a place with better benefits. A good job offer now trumps starting your BSN now and hoping for the same opportunities later. It's easier to get tuition reimbursement ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in TCU, LTC/Rehab.

Don't let the job offer pass you by, you will regret it and wonder what if. I would take the job....

I am also a recent ADN graduate and just transferred to a RN-BSN program. I don't know what state u are in, but even if u work on your BSN part time it shouldn't take you 6-7 yrs. That is too long. I would search for another college/program that takes less time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey guys...thanks. I have decided to take the job. My gut instinct was the job, but I just wanted to poll others for their opinion. I'm excited about the job offer I received.

As far as the 6-7 year estimate on BSN, I was basing it on getting my pre-req classes in first. I need seven of them,,,,yikes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I say take the job. Having a BSN and no experience is not as valuable as real life nursing experience. I recently got my ADN and have been working as an RN for about a month, most of my coworkers have told me to get at least 6 months or so under my belt before I go back to school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho, Acute Care Rehab.

Take the job and get the experience...If you decide to go back to school, you can even go straight for an RN-MSN especially if you have the experience already...:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

You keep saying you need seven pre-req classes to even enter into the BSN program.... that just seems wrong to me, and judging by the comments of others here, nobody else is understanding it either.

I highly recommend you do your research and find a different college/university for your BSN. You already have an Associates Degree, which if you're like most of us means you have three full years of college under your belt (pre-reqs for ADN entry are usually the equivalent of one full year of college, plus the two years for the nursing program). Now you're saying that you need another three full-time years to get a BSN??? I could understand six years (total) to get a BSN in a part-time program, but full-time? No way!

I know you said you already took the job, but even beyond that I strongly recommend that you look for a BSN program that is organized differently. I haven't done extensive research, but most places I've seen only require 1-2 "transition" courses into their RN-to-BSN program, and often those are considered to be part of the program itself, not pre-reqs to get into the program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Actually, I have done several months of research and met with a university, a college transfer representative, and spent time on the phone. All universities require classes such as Microbiology, Statistics, Ethics, Nutrition, college transfer chemistry etc...all of which I don't have yet. They were not required for an associates in nursing. Therefore, I would need to complete theses courses BEFORE beginning BSN core courses.

I will agree with you that other colleges may offer these courses on line, but how to attend the lab, many of them require, is the problem. With that said, I may not have been clear in the original post. My estimate of taking 1 online class/semester x the seven pre-req courses I need + the 4 semester BSN program = around 4 years. However, I was being generous with 6 years due to unforeseeable events that may occur. This timeline, in comparison to attending 2 semesters full-time for pre-req classes, as I mentioned above, is a great difference in the length of time I would invest in obtaining a BSN.

The goal in posting such a question was to receive feedback based on what other nurses have done. I appreciate your advice, but I don't go into anything blind. This was a major decision which required more than a passing thought. I will get my BSN one day and like another post mentioned, a BSN is much more beneficial with experience to boot.

I will admit, I'm green behind the ears, but I'm excited and ready to start my new career. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion