BSN vs. ADN

paulwalkman · Sep 21, 2008

My education was much less than 50K. It was a little less than 30K, but that number increases drastically when you add the cost of living to it. I was in an Advanced Second Degree BSN program. It was a lot of work squeezed into a short time period. I had no time to work and make any money. I had to take out additional loans for the cost of living. I can see how someone would end up with 50K of loans to pay back. Good luck with that.

-Paul

bookscrapper · Sep 23, 2008

I did an ADN program in the same community that offered a BSN program. Our program was quite superior to the BSN at the 4 year school. We had a lot more clinical experience.

If it is a case of money, I would definitely go for the ADN then get your bachelor's after working because a lot of hospitals offer tuition reimbursement.

icequeen_ah · Sep 30, 2008

This is awesome info, BTW, for those of us still debating the choices....I'm 33 and have my pre-requisites done for Surg Tech (which here weren't much different from nursing), so I could technically have my RN-2 yr in about a yr or so. This would give me some time for the baby to grow up and then I could get a job and get a BSN if it's needed. But even as a 2 yr RN I'd make plenty more than what I make now as a per diem medical transcriptionist.

That $2/hr difference mentioned earlier is not as big a difference as that between the $7.50/hr I make sometimes depending on workload and the $$/hr nurses make in this area.

Love this site! :yeah:

MB37 · Oct 1, 2008

Ivy League schools cost a lot more than $50K! The one that accepted me 11 years ago was $30K/year tuition back then, before room and board. That's why I went elsewhere (and at the time nursing wasn't on my radar) - they also don't offer any merit-based aid, and my parents made too much money yet didn't believe in paying for their kids' college.

No, entry level jobs don't typically pay much if anything more to BSN grads than to ADN grads. My hospital isn't giving me an extra penny. However, it was CHEAPER for me to get a BSN than an ADN. Why? Because I have a previous BS, and I went to an in-state university's accelerated program. Florida schools are extremely inexpensive (and worth every penny...), and the fact that I graduated in 15 months rather than 24 means the slightly higher cost is offset by the fact that I get a paycheck that much sooner. It improves my job prospects, and since I am going back later on for an MS I can just focus on working until I'm ready. I know many states are different, and university tuition in FL is among the lowest in the country, but I wanted to alert people that BSNs aren't always more expensive to get!

Just research all the options available to you based on your finances, previous degrees, tuition forgiveness/assistance programs, government need-based aid, relatives who want to finance your education, family/work responsiblities, and length of time you have to devote to a program. Different programs work best for different people, figure out what works best for you!

GRANNAS4 · Oct 1, 2008

If you want the BSN for extra pay, First look at how long you will be able to practice. The # of years and your ultimate goal. Want to be a DON? go for it, Me--I have my ADN and no plans to "upgrade" I have my CCRN and that means more to me. I have worked myself up to the Education Dept in my hospital, a very responsible job. My hospital makes no real difference between ADN and BSN. $0.25 an hour.

Farmer Jane · Oct 2, 2008

You're not going to make $50K more with a BSN than an ADN, so don't spend an extra $50K getting there. If those are your only two options, go for the ADN, then do an online program at a reasonably priced school to complete your BSN. Whatever you do, don't spend $50K.

mommyX2 · Oct 2, 2008

If you want to be an advanced practice nurse then BSN is the way to go. If you are happy with being a staff nurse I wouldn't spend the money on it.

Farmer Jane · Oct 2, 2008

Even if you have a future career in mind that requires a BSN, it can be had for far, far less than $50K.

dreamon · Oct 9, 2008

One of the schools in my area cost 40K a year for a BSN. 50K all together doesn't sound so bad then. I've been wracking my brain trying to decide how many hours of scholarship essay writing I would have to do in order to get aid to pay that cost. Not to mention sleepless nights worrying if I could pay the next semester's tuition if I got in.

I really don't want to have to do that, especially since I don't plan to go the NP route.

jkwong827 · Oct 10, 2008

Upon hiring as a registered nurse, do employers take into consideration the type of school in which you graduated from, such as a community college, state universities, and/or private colleges (i.e. National Univ, Univ of Phoenix, etc.)?

Woodenpug, BSN · Oct 10, 2008

If I had it to do over again, I would choose to go for the ADN. If I then wanted to advance, I would choose an ADN to MSN program. Stopping off at the BSN doesn't make much sense.

One other consideration is that in many areas, it is more difficult to get into an ADN program. Some are so impacted that candidates are chosen by lottery. The more expensive programs have fewer qualified candidates.

ICUNurse2009 · Oct 10, 2008

Personally, I think having a BSN is important. I see so many nurses that go to school just to get it done quickly because they want to make money. Is that the reason why people are nurses? It is insulting when people downgrade having a BSN. Some hospitals will not hire ASNs, escpecially in settings such as critical care. If you have the time, get your BSN. You will have many more opportunities ahead of you. Also, I basically went to school for free and I have my BSN. It takes more committment and time, but you will be proud of yourself in the end for taking the extra step.