BSN vs ADN, I already have a BS in health service administration.

[kelcal]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I am stuck in a sticky situation. I have been accepted in to an ADN program starting Spring 2013. I have all of my prereq's done and the only classes that I need to complete are the core nursing courses (about 40 credits). I have heard from other students that are already taking courses that a few of the nursing professors have quit mid semester (for other jobs or whatever). This is a very small school; I believe the program only takes about 40 students a year (20 each semester). Because of this, other teachers have to teach multiple classes, and everything is completely unorganized. I find this a bit crazy because of how organized we have to be as students, how can a program just start to fall apart like this?

Anyway, the reason for my post is this. I am considering applying for BSN programs. I already have a BS in health service administration. After reading through the forums, I have noticed that many people choose the BSN route because it opens other doors such as those for administration routes. If I stay at this program here, my current employer would pay for a large portion of my tuition. Also, it is close to home and they are very flexible with my hours that I could work if time permitted anything! These are both MAJOR bonuses for this program. On the downside, if the program is unorganized and for some reason they can not staff a course, it may not be offered next semester, thus delaying the time it takes to graduate. I may plan on it being 5 semesters, but it may end up taking 7 or 8!

Because my pre req's are finished and I already have a BS degree, I've found many schools offer an advance pace BSN which I would finish in the same amount of time if not sooner than my local ADN. The upside to that is that they are organized, have better hospital connections and research opportunity, better job prospects after graduation. I suppose the only downside is that I would not be able to work at all, and I would have to pay for my tuition and take out loans.

In your opinion, what is the difference in having a BSN vs. ADN if I do not plan on becoming a nurse practitioner? I would prefer the Administration route/Risk Mgmt (as I already have 3 years experience doing this. Not as a CNO, but as a clinic and department manager). I guess I'm not really sure what to do at this point. I just want to finish as soon as possible, yet I do not want to compromise the quality of education that I may receive if professors are spread too thin teaching too many classes, or possibly have to wait even longer if the school can not find a teacher!

[babygyrlktm1985]

I have actually gone through this situation at a former private college while completing an associates degree. I feel that it would be best if you obtain another BS as it will pay off in the long run and it'll give you more hands-on experience since the schools with accelerated BSN programs offer a vast and worthwhile curriculum in preparing the student. I actually also had your same reservation on the variation of the degree and decided to go this route as well. You want the best and to be apart of the best so why not give yourself the best advantage. HTH