BSN vs. ADN

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I am comparing the costs of becoming an RN between university (BSN) and community college (ADN). The difference in tuition is as much as 50K! If you spend 50K more to get a BSN, do you earn much more than getting an ADN?

Thanks for your help!

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I haven't seen any jobs or talked to any BSNs that make significantly more as a BSN. Of course the DONs and such make more but that is a higher level job.

I once saw a position where a BSN got .25 cents more per hour...

I just can't see paying 50k for a nursing degree anyways. It's going to cost me 15k total for my ADN and then the RN-MSN program I am aiming for. If I through in my Ph.D in Nursing it still won't reach half of 50k...

That's just me though.

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Specializes in ER.

In my travels, I have not found that having a BSN paid any more at all. If you are young and are getting into nursing, then it may pay off in the long run to get your BSN right off the bat. It won't pay off in money, but in other job options that may not be open to ASN nurses, such as education or management.

If you have a few life experiences under your belt, or another degree, then I say get your RN, work a while and if you see you might need a BSN, then bridge to one. In the mean time, you are gaining valuable experience.

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Specializes in none!.

I work at a healthcare company, and I asked this exact question just a week or two ago. Trying to figure that out myself too! My coworker said she got her ADN and has never, not once, been refused a job because she has only her ADN and not her BSN. She mentioned that BSN candidates get more course work in management. I already have a bachelor's in pyschology, so I think I'm going for the ADN to save cash....Good luck with your decision!

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Get the ADN on the cheap and then do your BSN with tuition reimbursement from your employer.

As a new grad ADN you will be making almost the same as a BSN. I know that some hospitals prefer BSNs but it really depends on how saturated your area is with nurses.

If there are many health care facilities and the majority of the nurses are ADN then the hospitals can't afford to be that choosy.

I think that student loans suck and should be avoided unless you simply do not have any alternatives and you do! If I could have gotten into the highly impacted CC programs where I live I would have gone in a heartbeat.

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While costs is definitely a factor in any decision since money is a limited resource it would be best to choose based on which program you can get into. Time, not money seems to be the issue for me. I want to complete an RN program in as little time as possible. ASN, BSN or Diploma really doesn't matter to me. Which program can I get first is what is the biggest factor. Once I complete an RN or LPN program the doors open up for other programs.

My advice is to get in where you fit in.

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

The pay rates are the same in my hospital, but I have heard that some hospitals give $2.00/hr more to BSN grads.

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Specializes in Telemetry.
Get the ADN on the cheap and then do your BSN with tuition reimbursement from your employer.

As a new grad ADN you will be making almost the same as a BSN. I know that some hospitals prefer BSNs but it really depends on how saturated your area is with nurses.

If there are many health care facilities and the majority of the nurses are ADN then the hospitals can't afford to be that choosy.

I think that student loans suck and should be avoided unless you simply do not have any alternatives and you do! If I could have gotten into the highly impacted CC programs where I live I would have gone in a heartbeat.

My feelings exactly! I'll graduate with my ADN in May and will begin working on my BSN just as soon as I secure an employer to pay for it. If the choice is between my money and their money, I'll pick their money every day of the week! :up:

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
My feelings exactly! I'll graduate with my ADN in May and will begin working on my BSN just as soon as I secure an employer to pay for it. If the choice is between my money and their money, I'll pick their money every day of the week! :up:

A lot of pepole think employers will pay for the BSN, but most have a cap on education. For example my employer paid $2200/year towards my BSN which didn't pay for all of it, and I still wound up getting some loans. Also, I'm in Florida tuition reimbursement program, so indeed my BSN will wind up not costing me a lot.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, ICU, OR, PACU.

I spent a boatload of money on attempting to get my BSN (had a grand plan back then about being an ARNP), but my path went in a different direction. So, now I owe 20K in student loans, am a Director of Nursing of a 120 bed SNF, make a great wage (which would not be raised just because I had a BSN), and could care less about finishing.

I feel kind of silly for spending all that money, now, and it grates on me to send that check out. On the other hand, knowledge is never a bad thing, but frankly, I didn't learn anything "special". My best education came from working in multiple environments with great people.

I don't think I'm any less a "professional nurse" for not having the BSN, that's for sure.

YMMV, of course.

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Specializes in NIH Stroke certified.

I ave my BSN. As far as pay goes, I get $1.00 more an hour and extra $$ for overtime/bid-shift. I would say that getting a two year degree is more cost effective if you wanted to remain a floor nurse. If you wnat to go into management or further you career by getting a masters in anesthesia or become a NP, than getting a BSN right out of school is definitely the better choice. It all depends what you want to be when you grow up:). My plans are to eventually get a masters in anesthesia, so the extra $$ spent on education was worth it. Also, I already have a bachelors in biology and chemistry, so going back to school for an associates didn't make much sense to me. It's a personal choice and I don't think either is the wrong way. I do, however, notice that no more LPNs are being hired in my institution or some of the otheres I originally looked for a job. The LPNs are not losing their jobs, but they are sort of being phased out by not hiring anymore. Given that knowledge, I find it would be much more beneficial to go for the extra semester or two to attaina two year degree rather than a practical degree. I mean no offense to any LPNs that read this. It's a generalization and an observation.

-Paul

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I am comparing the costs of becoming an RN between university (BSN) and community college (ADN). The difference in tuition is as much as 50K! If you spend 50K more to get a BSN, do you earn much more than getting an ADN?

Thanks for your help!

50K for a Bachelor's degree? Must be from some fancy Ivy League school! That's just plain ridiculous.

The hospitals around here are paying about $1/hr more for the BSN, however they PREFER BSN's and they are always trying to get the ADN's to go back and upgrade their education.

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