BSN right away or ADN + RN-BSN bridge?

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Do you think it's best to get the BSN first or get an associate degree and do an RN-to-BSN bridge?

Because of the waiting time for the associate nursing degree program in my area, I started considering going straight for a BSN. As I learned more about it, I was surprised to learn that if you get an associates degree and then do a bridge RN-to-BSN program, that you have to do about a year's extra school (even if you have a previous bachelor degree).

I like the idea of getting the associates degree fast, but it really isn't all that much longer to get the BSN straightaway.

I have heard that it is hard to work while attending nursing school. At the ADN level, I will only have to carry 10 to 11 hours per semester, while at the BSN level, there would be more. I think I would be more likely to work more hours during ADN school.

Curious what other folks learned as they got their degrees. Thank you.

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Specializes in SICU.

There is no "Best Way". If you already have a bachelor degree then maybe an accelerated BSN would work for you. For me getting an ASN and having my hospital pay for my BSN made more sense (money and time issues.) For others going to a traditional 4 year school for a BSN made the best sense for them.

You need to look at your starting point, the time it would take to get into the different programs and the amount of money needed for each. Good luck in whatever way you become a nurse.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

I am currently finishing my ADN and after I work for 2 years as an RN and finish a few gen ed pre-req's I plan on entering an RN-MSN program, in my area nurses with BSN are treated the same as ADNs so it's alot of extra work for really nothing until you get the MSN to be advanced practice, NP or educator

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

With the wait list for most ADN programs it would be faster to just go for your BSN. In my area many hospitals are not hiring ADN new graduate nurses. Good luck!

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

If you have the time and can afford it, I recommend the BSN route. I did the ADN-BSN route and it took longer to reach my goal since I had to work full time. No "one-size-fits-all" answer.

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Specializes in ER; HBOT- lots others.

I have to disagree with gerry, in my area, they are specifically telling us that they are hiring new grads. well, i guess that i am not disagreeing,,but letting you know that is not every area.

There is no right way or anything.. i think it all depends on your life. can you, do have time, what is your life like, what kind of timeframe do you want to work with, what area possibly do you want to work in...so many different factors for so many ppl, i dont think that is anything we could tell ya.

GL!!

-H-

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Specializes in SRNA.

Do what feels right to you.

Here's the two programs are nearly identical in length: after you finish you prerequisites, you have 4 semesters of nursing courses. By the time I finished my prerequisite courses, I was also able to satisfy the core classes at the university, so I went the BSN route. I figured if I was going to be in school for 4 years, I may as well get a 4 year degree!

However, I took all of my prerequisites and core classes, with the exception of a few, at the community college since I was working full time at the time and they were cheaper and had more flexibility with night courses.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

My area hires RNs (ADN and others), thus, I am currently in an ADN program. Personally, my decision is based upon the fact that I do not ever want to take out another student loan to earn a degree. I can careless how much money I will or won't make, student loans are not worth the trouble.

I have kept to my promise and have paid cash for every class including the ones for the RN-BSN bridge I need to take before entering the program. My current employers (I work for my local hospital, which is the same place I do my clinicals) have offered to pay for my BSN and MSN.

I do not work full-time during the school year, but many of my fellow students working at the hospital do. The hospital is flexible with students no matter the degree program. I, on the other hand, work two jobs during breaks to continue to pay expenses and tuition and have time to study.

To answer your question go the ADN route if you have the opportunity. The amount of time it takes you to pay off additional loans (if you have any past ones) is not the same for both programs, but the amount of money you make as a RN after graduating will probably be the same as those graduating from a different program or a $1/hr different (the BSN and above might make an additional $1/hr and are carrying astronomically more debts). GL.

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I have a BS degree already and am going the ADN to RN-BSN route. Several reasons: Financial, cost less overall. Proximity, ADN program very close to my home and my kids are young yet. Reputation, local CC has better NCLEX pass rates than the big name universities nearby. Flexibility, when I am finished with ADN I can work as an RN for a while, do RN to BSN FT or PT, or wait and move right into the RN to MSN program(at said big name U) in a couple years. In addition, I may have the opposite situation in regard to ADN admission. It is easier here to gain admission to ADN than to the 4 yr schools. The 4yr are very GPA competitive and my previous undergrad was not so good. The CC only looks at your 8 pre req classes GPA for admission.

Good luck!

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You have to do what works for you specifically.

Of course, the ideal is that we go to college after high school and before marriage and kids. If you have no kids, no husband and no financial worries . . go for the BSN first.

I majored in Social Work out of high school - went to school for 4 years. Changed my mind in my late 30's and went back for a nursing degree from a community college. I got in on the first try. I'm now, 9 years later, doing an accelerated BSN program at a private Christian University. I wish I'd had the BSN a long time ago.

Larger hospitals in my area are encouraging BSN.

Good luck with whatever you decide will work for you.

steph

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Wow....thank you all for all the input. I appreciate it. My long term goals include a masters degree someday. I am career-changing and would like to increase my earnings capacity ASAP. The ADN would be best for that (even with the waiting lists). The semester course load for the ADN is lighter than the BSN (10 to 11 units for the ADN and 16 units for the BSN, which makes me think I could work more during the ADN). A negative: The ADN plus the RN-to-BSN bridge add up to significantly more time in school than the BSN.

As for the BSN, it is an important step on the way to a masters degree. In the best-case scenario, I would complete that (with the prereqs it requires) about a year after I would finish an ADN program. It kills me that nurses don't really earn more for it.

Zookeeper247 mentioned an RN-to-MSN program ---that intrigues me!!! I don't think we have anything like that it Arizona.

I am going to reread everyone's posts carefully. One poster noted that the decision has many variables and should be made by each person. I agree, but really find it helpful to hear what others have to say. I also think that after folks go through something, they gain valuable perspective.

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I was accepted to an expensive ABSN program, to a more expensive ELMSN program and then to an inexpensive ADN program! Due to the state of the economy I am leaning towards the ADN since I don't want to accrue debt with job prospects looking so shaky. Very hard decision. Also, I am of the understanding that ADN+BA qualifies me to apply for advanced practice master's programs. It also gives me an 'out' if at any point along the way I find out that nursing is not 100% for me and I won't be throwing thousands of dollars aways. Any thoughts about this?

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