Background....I hold a BA in a non nursing related field. I have decided to return to school and pursue Nursing.
The local ADN program will cost a grand total of less than $10K...including books and fees (from entrance to graduation).
The BSN programs near me cost between $20k and $30k PER YEAR.
Is getting a BSN instead of an RN worth an EXTRA $30k - $50k?
They will both take the same length of time...2 years.
If I chose an ADN program, I would probably consider a bridge program (RN to BSN) in the future, although I doubt it would be for several years after completing an RN.
I must choose a school within fairly easy commuting distance (I have a family and 4 young kids), but luckily I live in a major metro area with several options.
Personally Im choosing the ADN route and then bridging. Probably saving $20-40k total, and that's AFTER considering the scholarships I was eligible for at the BSN program. Nope, saving those loans for my eventual Masters. Life happens and I don't want to be stuck with double or triple the loan amounts.
In the end, because of the way prerequisites work at my school, and assuming I can finish my bridge in a year (I plan to go to WGU), I'll STILL have completed my BSN in 4 years for half the cost.
Hi there! I'm in the same boat as you: already have a Bachelors in a different field, but going back for Nursing. I'm choosing an ADN program at a local community college, and hopefully once I complete that and have my RN I'll be able to get a job as an RN to help pay for an RN to BSN program. I'm going this route because financial aid is lacking for second Bachelors degree students, so self-pay (and scholarships if I'm lucky) are pretty much the only options. Plus this way I don't add to any debt I already got from my first stint in undergrad. Good luck!
I would look at do hospitals in my area hire adn's. If they do then look at which schools can I actually get into. In my area wait 3 years to get into cheap adn or pay a bit more and be working 3 years earlier. 30-50k for a bsn that earns you $XX,000 3 years earlier may be a good investment. But if you can get into an adn program right away get a job and get the income and experience faster that way I see no reason to take on debt. Do the adn then a RN to bsn using your ADN job to fund it. You may actually have the BSN and a year experience faster this way.
So in other words, I think it depends on you, schools in your area and your local job market.
If I were in your shoes I would be looking for a BS to RN program. About 14 months and working. Even if it costs a bit more I think it would pay off by entering the workforce several years faster.
As long as hospitals in your area are hiring ADNs, I would definitely go the ADN route. Quicker & less expensive. I chose to get my RN through an ADN program. Now that I'm working in a magnet hospital, they're paying for me to complete the BSN. A win-win situation :)
I ask because my BSN total was 30 grand for the ENTIRE nursing education.
No. Not including room and board. I only have private universities within comuting distance from me and I must go to something within commuting distance because I have a family.
People have already mentioned to check whether local hospitals are hiring associate's nurses, and to check whether the colleges you're considering are accredited by nursing organizations. How quickly you can admit into the program are important, as you can offset some tuition costs by getting into the field as an RN sooner.
There are a few other things to think about. Different colleges have different admissions processes. Which one favors your strengths? My community college had admissions based on grades for specific prereqs and the TEAS score, which made it easier to prove my capability than with GPA-based admissions, which retain every black mark on my record.
What is the program's NCLEX pass rate? The degree is useless if you can't get licensed, and a persistently low licensing rate is a sign of a substandard education.
Less critical, but perhaps worth mentioning: what is the program's pass rate? Meaning, how many students who start the program are able to finish it? A high retention rate through graduation probably means the school is willing to invest in the students who are struggling with one issue or another, rather than deciding they can't handle it and letting them fall through the cracks.
I did work a year in LTC/SAR, but I was too terrified to apply for acute care when I first graduated because I was so convinced I wouldn't be able to find a job. There is no pay difference vs BSN in my area, though the major hospitals all stipulate that you must complete your BSN within 5 years of hire. They offer tuition reimbursement of varying amounts, and all with a work contract of several years.
ASN-RN was a good choice for me, and I think it still is for a lot of other people as well.
People have already mentioned to check whether local hospitals are hiring associate's nurses, and to check whether the colleges you're considering are accredited by nursing organizations. How quickly you can admit into the program are important, as you can offset some tuition costs by getting into the field as an RN sooner.
There are a few other things to think about. Different colleges have different admissions processes. Which one favors your strengths? My community college had admissions based on grades for specific prereqs and the TEAS score, which made it easier to prove my capability than with GPA-based admissions, which retain every black mark on my record.
What is the program's NCLEX pass rate? The degree is useless if you can't get licensed, and a persistently low licensing rate is a sign of a substandard education.
Less critical, but perhaps worth mentioning: what is the program's pass rate? Meaning, how many students who start the program are able to finish it? A high retention rate through graduation probably means the school is willing to invest in the students who are struggling with one issue or another, rather than deciding they can't handle it and letting them fall through the cracks.
I did work a year in LTC/SAR, but I was too terrified to apply for acute care when I first graduated because I was so convinced I wouldn't be able to find a job. There is no pay difference vs BSN in my area, though the major hospitals all stipulate that you must complete your BSN within 5 years of hire. They offer tuition reimbursement of varying amounts, and all with a work contract of several years.
ASN-RN was a good choice for me, and I think it still is for a lot of other people as well.
The ADN program near me is VERY competative...600 applicants for 40 spots. It is acredited and has a 95% graduation rate. NCLEX pass is near 100%. They look at overall GPA and teas scores. My GPA from my BA is good (3.7), but not spectacular. Im hoping to get a 4.0 in the few pre reqs I still need before applying in to help that, and I am generally a very good test taker so Im not too worried about the TEAS (obviously I will study and prep for it...but I dont get test anxiety or anything so as long as I prepare well, I test well). Hopefully that will be enough, although I am considering getting a CNA too...their admission process is on a points system...you get so many points for your gps, so many for your teas score, some if you have a CMA, CNA, military medic, etc..
Just wanted to address OP's original comment - her BA is only valuable in terms of criteria for acceptance to an ABSN program. Otherwise, it is completely irrelevant. BA+ADN=ADN.
Just wanted to address OP's original comment - her BA is only valuable in terms of criteria for acceptance to an ABSN program. Otherwise, it is completely irrelevant. BA+ADN=ADN.
Yup. Just wondering if BSN vs RN was ultimately worth the extra tuition. I dont see myself wanting a supervisory role, and if I do...I can always do a RN- BSN at that time.
I too am going the ADN route for a variety of reasons - mainly school location and finances - but it is also a known fact that the hospitals in my area absolutely love graduates from my program because it is considered one of the most difficult in the state - including the nearby BSN programs. With all that put together I made my decision.
Hospitals here are requiring for you to sign a "promissory note" stating that within 2 years you will enroll in a bridge program. That time-frame may change in the near future but as of now many hospitals do hire ADNs as long as you make that commitment. Either way I would totally plan on doing a bridge program shortly after you graduate, as some have mentioned before your hospital will probably pay for it while you work.
It sounds like you are doing some good planning and thinking ahead - you'll do great in whatever you do! Good Luck! :)
This is something that varies a LOT regionally. In my area, ADNS have no problem getting hired and there is no greater pay or benefit to having a BSN. Actually you get a small raise for a certification but not a BSN which is odd to me. So in my area, it would not in any way, shape, or form, be worth an extra 30-50K. That being said, in my home state, you cannot even get your foot in the door at any hospital without a BSN minimum. I am currently working toward a BSN for personal reasons, and in case I ever do move home, I will need it there. So you need to do your research. Many hospitals will pay for you to go back and get your BSN or give you some tuition assistance.
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AspiringNurseMW
1 Article; 942 Posts
Personally Im choosing the ADN route and then bridging. Probably saving $20-40k total, and that's AFTER considering the scholarships I was eligible for at the BSN program. Nope, saving those loans for my eventual Masters. Life happens and I don't want to be stuck with double or triple the loan amounts.
In the end, because of the way prerequisites work at my school, and assuming I can finish my bridge in a year (I plan to go to WGU), I'll STILL have completed my BSN in 4 years for half the cost.