BSN Now or ADN Later?

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Hi, All:

Question: I have the opportunity to start in BSN program this fall or "start out" in ADN pre-req program now and "hope" in get in clinicals in year or 2? My issues:

1. I get the vibe that both will take 3-4 years to finish.

2. I cannot get ANY financial aid, so it will all be out of pocket which means I would probably have to go part time for BSN for 1rst Tier pre-reqs. But I currently work in a hospital and am eligible for reimbursement, but who has thousands of $ upfront???? NOT ME!!!

3. I like the idea of getting the ADN and being able to hopefully get a job quicker. The school I am interested in has rolling admissions based on grades and TEAS for entrance, and has had a 98% to 100% first time pass rate over the last 7 years. But that makes for some steep competition, lol!

4. The BSN school is less than 30 minutes away downtown, the ADN is an hour away in a neighboring city. BSN school 2nd Tier (clinicals) based totally on gpa and school has 98% - 100% pass rate over last 5 years, so both are good schools.

Any comments welcome.

Thanks!

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Specializes in ER.

This is a debate that potiential nursing students have all the time. As a general rule of thumb, most people will tell you to do the BSN program if your pocket can allow it. Having a BSN in the economy can give you a slight leg up when looking for a job after you graduate. So i understand that thinking. However, I worked and paid my way thought NS and had to do the ADN first. It was cheaper, closer, and I liked the idea of working sooner.

Bottom line, you have to soul search and figure out what the best plan is for you and your life. You have all the tools you need. As a general rule of thumb, I tell people to do the "sure thing". Are you accepted into a BSN program? If so, do that one! Nursing schools are so competitive (if you search on this site, you will see PLENTY of people wishing they could get into school), so dont pass up the opportunity if you are already accepted.

Good luck! It's a tough decision, yes, but just be happy with whatever you decide! It's good to have choices these days! :)

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If you have the $$ for it, definitely go BSN. They will take about the same amount of time from start to finish.

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Specializes in ICU-Step Down, Cardiac/CHF, Telemetry, L&D.

So, you can't get any student loans either? I have never heard of anyone that couldn't get student loans. You may want to ask or take out a private student loan from your bank or credit union. The ADN program with the pre reqs should take about 3 years to complete and you can always go back for one year to get your BSN. I did both and I think it would have been more cost effective to go the BSN route. Good Luck

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Specializes in LTC.

If you have the time and money then go for BSN. I'm doing LPN-ADN then ADN to RN.

I don't live at home with my parents nor am I a SAH anything... which means I have to work my way through school and didn't have an option of going straight BSN. I also have no regrets taking one step at a time.

If you do have options then go for BSN. Good luck on whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Personally, I'd go the BSN route just to have it done. It might or might not make a difference in your job search now but it will give you more options should you decide to move away from the bedside in the future, without your having to go back to school to do it. I don't regret my choice to go straight for a BSN for a second.

Having said that - I will tell you what my stepfather has told me several times facing big life decisions: You make the best decision you can with the information you have in front of you. If it was the right decision, you'll know. If it wasn't, you'll be given the chance soon enough to correct it.

(PS - It's not a matter of which degree makes a 'better nurse'....there are fantastic and atrocious nurses all stripes.)

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What about going to a CC to get the prereq's done (cheaper) and then transfer to the 4 yr school for the nursing part? That is what I am doing. I was originally going for my ADN but after A LOT of research -- I decided to go straight for the BSN. As many others have said it ends up taking about the same amount of time and, it seems in this economy that it will make you more marketable when you are job searching.

Lots of luck to you!

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I am a new grad, and yes, financial aid isn't very good but this was my second degree. A lot of the places I applied to for work said they ruled out ADN's right off the bat because many places are looking for BSN candidates. Good luck!

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Thanks for all of the replies. I cannot get financial aid because I have a BS degree in another subject from a very expensive private college that pretty much put me over the top. I wasn't making any BSN/ADN comparisons because both schools have very high first time pass rates-so that is not an issue.

I think I will pursue the BSN. Since I am a nurse tech at an area hospital, that makes me eligible for some hospital scholarships and hopefully some university scholarships also, it's just that nurse techs do NOT make much and I will have to work alot of overtime during my general pre-reqs and have to kick it up a notch during the summer months to make some cash, but that is doable! It's worth it :yeah:

Thanks again!

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Specializes in School Nurse.

I was in the same boat - except for the financial part - 20 years ago when I decided to go to nursing school after not being able to find a job with my bachelor's in art history. I basically wanted to get done as fast as possible. I went to the local community college and the adviser told me I would be a fool to not go get a BSN, even though it would take a couple quarters more.

Talk to an adviser at the 4 years school and see what classes you are missing as far as prereqs. My first degree was very liberal arts, although when I first started I wanted to be an engineer so had some science classes. You might only need a couple classes to be ready to go.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I would recommend to you the same decision-making process that I used for myself: Pursue whichever path gets you out and into the job market the fastest. Presuming that you're able to secure employment after graduation (if you don't then there's no real reason to do it), every month that you delay carries with it a substantial cost of lost earnings.

IMO, the pass rate is meaningless and is far more reflective of the school's admissions criteria than of anything else. Keep in mind that the overall pass rate of all first-time test-takers is in the mid- to high-80's.

Get in, get out, get working... ASAP.

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Good luck to you, this was my second degree. I had a 4 year degree before pursuing my BSN. Luckily, I was a science major and a lot of my classes were accepted at pre-reqs and I had managed to take psych while I was still in school because I was thinking if I wanted to be a nurse or not. I was accepted into a fast track program that was only 15 months. I agree, the financial aid this time around does suck, but you seem very determined...kudos to you!!!

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