Considering an ADN over a BSN but already have a bachelors

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hello everyone,

I had a question regarding the associates and the bachelor's degree in nursing. Currently I am active duty Air Force, but plan on getting out soon and am hoping to change my career to nursing. I have a degree in logistics management and organizational management, so going back to school is going to be pretty much coming out of pocket ( as far as living expenses go, because my schooling should be covered by my GI bill) and have been hoping to weigh the benefits over having an associates over a bachelors program in nursing.

I understand that most employers prefer a bachelors, but since the RN title is obtained from both degrees ( both take the same nclex, both participate in similar coursework) I was wondering which would be more beneficial to me, as someone who already holds a couple degrees under his belt. From what I understand, the bachelors encompasses more business and liberal arts coursework,correct?I understand there are accelerated programs, but unfortunately, staying in one area for more than a year is going to be a problem for me ( my wife is still Active duty) so given my time constraints it would be difficult for me to complete a 18 month accelerated program. My overall goal is to eventually apply to become a Nurse Practitioner, but from what I have read I can apply with any degree as long as I'm an RN. I also understand that employment varies inbetween areas, but I am hoping to come back to Texas to be a nurse.

So my question to you, allnurses.com, is which degree from your experience would be a better option for me? Anyways, thanks in advance for all of your responses and I am looking forward to reading all of your replies. This website has been a great resource for me!

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

Actually, there are quite a number of MSN programs leading to NP that admit second-degree RN's (non-BSN RN's with a prior degree in a non-nursing area).

*** One can become an NP with no bachelors degree in anything. There is no requirment to possess a bachelors degree to earn a masters degree.

As an RN with several prior degrees, including a graduate business degree, I can second your second statement though.

*** This seems suprising to many people and I don't know why. If you were seeking a job as an engineer why would they care about your nursing degree?

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Specializes in Cardiovascular Critical Care.

I'm in an ADN program, I took a year of Anatomy and Physiology and a year of pathophysiology so what was it you were saying about an "increased knowledge" base? I've compared my program to BSN programs, the major difference was the BSN programs had a lot more nursing research, nursing leadership and health care informatics classes while the ADN had a lot more in the way of in the hospital, on the floor clinical experience. Will I get my BSN- yes but will it dramatically change my practice, Nooooo. I also plan on getting my DNP.

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I'm in an ADN program, I took a year of Anatomy and Physiology and a year of pathophysiology so what was it you were saying about an "increased knowledge" base? I've compared my program to BSN programs, the major difference was the BSN programs had a lot more nursing research, nursing leadership and health care informatics classes while the ADN had a lot more in the way of in the hospital, on the floor clinical experience. Will I get my BSN- yes but will it dramatically change my practice, Nooooo. I also plan on getting my DNP.

Yes. Yes. We have heard all this before. Go on which ya bad self

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Hi! thank you for this post. I have been researching and debating whether to do the part time BSN program or the ABSN program. I like you have a BS in Health Science with a concentraion in PA. I want to be a CRNA and i saw that there are a couple of programs that accept a ADN with a BS in something else. I am now applying to several programs and praying to get into one!!!! I work for a hospital and my coworkers whom are CRNA's or nurses told me that if i already have a degree just to get my ADN.. anyhow, thank you once agian for your feedback. Are you working while going to CRNA school?

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I want to be a CRNA and i saw that there are a couple of programs that accept a ADN with a BS in something else. I am now applying to several programs and praying to get into one!!!!

Its actually much more than a couple. The vast majority of ACRNA programs do not require a BSN. I have known people to get accepted to CRNA programs with degree in forestry, English, music, and all of the sciences. About the only programs that require a BSN are those based out of big university schools of nursing (the minority). Heck the only program in my state can't even grant nursing degrees and their CRNAs graduate with a MS in biology so they certainly are not only going to accept a BSN for admission.

You should be able to get in. I have never known anyone who could not get accepted to CRNA school. I know a few who had to apply two years in a row, but never any that simply couldn't get in. Not as long as they followed the formula.

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I live in NJ, I think i worded the comment wrong. I am currently applying for ADN programs here in NYC and westchester. I Will start the ADN program in January 2016 and I already work in a hospital as a SW administrator. my goal is to be a CRNA, a couple of my friends are telling me i am taking one step back and not many hospitals hire people with a ADN degree inthe ICU, fortunately for me I am already in the hospital and work for the nursing dept which has been my guide onto what steps to take. I was actually excited to know that CRNA programs accept people with a ADN and a BS degree in another field than nursing.. Do you know any programs here in NYC> and what doyou mean by the formula?

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Hospital at work at strongly recommends nurse's have a BSN in their postings. However, do believe externally they only take BSN nurse's. Their sister hospital shut down their diploma program due to the hospital wanting three out of the four hospital's to have only BSN nurse's working for them. Applying elsewhere as a Tech to hospital's that will take associate nurse's that way I have an in. Any who going the associate route over the BSN route. One it is cheaper two this is a bit risky there only two part time nursing program's in my state they are at the CC level. So hoping to get into one of them. That way can manage work while in school. Once done won't have a huge loan to pay off can probably get graduate financial aid doing a RN to MSN since already have my Bachelor's. One of the RN to MSN program if you go that route instead of ADN to BSN to MSN they cut out 3 to 4 classes.

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I receive a lot of advices from nurse's saying oh you won't get a job go for the accelerated route. Even with my degree I still have to take 8-10 science classes. In the end will be cheaper and will be a nurse maybe even quicker or same rate as going the ABSN route.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I live in NJ, I think i worded the comment wrong. I am currently applying for ADN programs here in NYC and westchester. I Will start the ADN program in January 2016 and I already work in a hospital as a SW administrator. my goal is to be a CRNA, a couple of my friends are telling me i am taking one step back and not many hospitals hire people with a ADN degree inthe ICU, fortunately for me I am already in the hospital and work for the nursing dept which has been my guide onto what steps to take. I was actually excited to know that CRNA programs accept people with a ADN and a BS degree in another field than nursing.. Do you know any programs here in NYC> and what doyou mean by the formula?

I don't know anything about that part of the country If I were you I would go to the AANA's website where you can find links to all programs by state.

The formula: Get good grades in your nursing program, in particularly in sciences. Get 2-3 years of high quality ICU experience. SICU is better than MICU. Preferably a very high acuity unit that allows nurses great autonomy. Be a good nurse so you can earn and deserve great letters of reference. Be a team player, get involved with the unit quality improvement projects. Be the kind of nurse all the surgeons are relieved to see taking care of their patients. Get your CCRN and apply. If you don't get accepted take 6-9 units of grad school classes to demonstrate your ability to do graduate work and do well in them. Preferably grad classes that will satisfy requirements for NA school. Don't blow the interview.

I have never known anyone who did those things not get accepted. I have seen maybe 100 (our unit sent 8-12 people / year to CRNA school) people get accepted, many of them friends of mine.

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