I know it might be an old topic for many of you, but I am having a hard time deciding which program is better for me and hope to get some advices.
I am currently a BSN student at a private university and will be starting my clinical rotation this coming fall semester. Since I wasn't sure if the school would have a spot for me to start clinical in the fall, I applied to a couple of ADN programs at local community colleges just in case I had to wait longer.
Recently, I received an acceptance letter from one of the ADN programs I applied for. I was supposed to be excited because now I have a chance not to pay for ridiculous tuition, but the question came out: Should I stick with the BSN program where I am with now, which I am paying a very expensive tuition but I will get my BSN in 5 semesters? Or should I switch to the ADN program, which I will pay very little compared to what I am paying now and be graduating in 4 semesters?
I spoke to a retired nurse for advice, and he said I should stick with the BSN program. Although it's expensive, I will earn a BSN degree, which I don't have to worry about going back to school later on if the job market is preferred BSN as a minimum entry over ADN in the near future. He said the job market is not hot anymore due to the economic crisis, and some of the hospitals have freeze their hiring process, so for a new graduate with a BSN degree might have some advantage over a new graduate with an ADN.
Is this truly happening? My concern is I don't want to waste my time and energy, and end up being unable to get a job if I chose to attend the ADN program. On the other hand, I don't want to graduate with tons of debts if I have an option. $60K is a lot to many of us, and I want to make sure if it's worthy. I am 34 year-old and have a bachelor degree in another field. I am not sure if I would still have the energy of going back for a higher degree if the ADN will be eventually phase out.
