BSN vs. ADN

[Papi15437]

Can someone please let me know if getting my BSN as opposed to an ADN is really worth all the time and money being invested into it? As of right now, I am apprehensive about the money I will have to owe in student loans in relation to pursuing my BSN degree. Once I graduate, I will need to owe $70K worth of student loans for my BSN degree since I am attending a private university. Attending a public university is not an option anymore because it is nearly impossible to transfer to another BSN program. My dilemma is, $70K seems like an impossible amount of money to pay back when I could just pay off $4,000 total for an entire ADN program at my community college.

How is the marketability of a BSN degree better than an ADN? How much more does a BSN make as opposed to an ADN? Is it true that more hospitals are requiring a BSN as opposed to the ADN? Although it is a personal goal of mine to attain my BSN, I want to make sure that all of my time, money, and effort is worth it in the end. If not, I am more than ready to drop out of BSN school and just attend my local community college's ADN program. I am just tired of hearing rumors that BSN doesn't have much benefits over an ADN. Please advise.

[uscstu4lfe]

at my hospital bsn/adn are the exact same pay rate. bsn is if you want to go into management, grad school, etc

[msfb]

Magnet hospitals are requiring a greater number of BSN. I don't know what the ratio has to be for that status.

[msjack]

Have you thought about getting your ADN and then pursuing your BSN after you're already working as an RN? Most hospitals (atleast in my area) have tuition reimbursement. That way you could have some if not all of your tuition paid and wouldn't have such a burden with a loan. That's what I'm planning on doing. It may take a little longer, but it'll save a lot of money.

[RhodyGirl, RN]

The BSN does have certain benefits over an ADN, which is why I am in a 4 year program. But, $70K is a LOT of money. If I were you, I might try the ADN route and then do a RN-BSN program after. I think I used this example in another post a while back; I have a friend who went to Bentley College in Mass (approx 35K/year) and now pays somewhere in the $800-$900 range every month in student loan bills. He can't afford to live on his own because of this, even with a decent paying job. Just some food for thought.