curious BSN OR ADN why?

RnBound0510 · May 27, 2008

I know for a fact that having a BSN is an advantage. If I could, I'd def. go that route first. For financial reasons, I decided on my local community college ADN program bc it will only cost me $5,000. I refuse to get in the hole w/$20k+! There are many hospitals that in fact want you to keep going to school and are paying for it ALL! I know Methodist & TX childrens are paying for Rn-BSN programs for existing ADN's. I plan on doing the RN-MSN online program, keep working, and making the same amount as a BSN. In my area they are paid the same... or maybe the BSN gets .50 more. By all means... go for your BSN if you can. I am married and this was the best scenario for the both of us. I wanted to do the BSN program sooo bad! I'll get there, one step at a time.

Natingale, EdD, RN · May 27, 2008

Im sort of in a rush so ADN for me (I held off on getting married until I finished nursing school and my poor fiance proposed 2 years ago)

But i'm definitely going to continue my education at my pace after I get my license ..On my own terms. BSNs make only about 1600 more a year, when you break that down ..Its nada, but for a management position theyre going to require a BSN. I do know an assistant head nurse with her associates, but shes been there YEARS compared to her colleagues.

So do what you know is convenient for you, 4 year schools are sort of easier to get into. Instead of waiting 2 years to get into a ADN Program, those 2 years could of gone towards a BSN degree.

Maybe all you can afford is a ADN, get your license in 3 years (1 year of pre & co reqs) go to work have whatever hospital you work for send you back to school. Its really all up to the person and situation. One program might work better for one person, and another for another person.

NatashaFromOregon · May 28, 2008

I'm applying to my community colleges ASN program for Fall 2009 for two main reasons: 1) I have a young child to consider and I've already been in school over a year working on pre-req's; I really just need to get into the work force and 2) I do not have the funds to go for a BSN right now; I'm already $20,00 in debt with student loans.

From what I can see, comparing my state's ASN and BSN requirements, the only difference is that BSNs have one additional year of nursing thoery, epidemiology, statistics, and two additional upper division arts and letters requirements. I work as a volunteer (soon to be CNA!) on the unit floors in the hospital, and in terms of bedside care and scope of practice, I see no difference between the "RNs" and the "RN, BSNs". I do know that to be in nurse leadership or management a BSN is preferred.

gemberly · May 28, 2008

As a mom to 4 kids, time is money. I plan to continue with my education after I get my ADN, but I need to be able to support my family.

editor2rn · May 28, 2008

I plan to apply to the ADN program at the local CC. While I wait to see if I'm accepted, I'm going to take some classes that count toward a second-degree BSN and an alternate entry master's program. I'm hoping to get into the ADN program, and then I can do a BSN or MSN bridge while I work.

I have a child who will be in middle school when I'm in nursing school, so I'll need to work to pay for her college. :eek: Also, my husband and I are in our 40s, and we need to think about retirement funds, not college tuition for either one of us. I'm hoping to work at a hospital that will help pay for tuition while I continue school.

The life plan is a little more complicated than it was when I was 18 and out of high school.

js408 · May 28, 2008

I want to become a nurse practitioner and I believe I need to have a MSN to get there. Getting an ADN first would not help me, might even slow me down.

i am wondering what was the deciding factor in doing the bsn or adn. i keep going back and forth mainly because i have little ones and think if do bsn then they will be in school also so they won't have to go to daycare. do you think there are any advantages to bsn other than being able to go into management? thanks for any responses.

Epona · May 28, 2008

Good question original poster. I think it really depends on WHAT you think you may want to do as a nurse. A BSN is a good way to advance in nursing if you are looking at being a NP or going to grad. school for example. Also with a BSN you can move up into managment a bit faster. ADN is fine too. I see an ADN nurse working more on the floor and the BSN nurse working in research, managment, etc. ADN nurses can get there too, but the BSN is the faster route. It really depends on what you want to do as a nurse. Hope this helped some. Good luck! :up:

Lajimolala, BSN, RN, NP · Jun 4, 2008

For my situation, there was no way that ADN would be good for me because by the time I decided that I wanted to finish school to become an RN, 1) I started off at a university and left 2 1/2 years later, making me already halfway to finish a bachelors. 2) All the community colleges in my area have a waiting list of about 2 years anyway. If I decided to wait it out for an ADN, it literally would take me the same amount of time to get a BSN. 3) I have really good prereq grades (3.8 GPA) where there should be no problem into getting into a BSN program. 4) I'm still pretty young (25 years old) with no kids which makes my time very flexible. And one of the biggest deciding factors 5) I'm planning on moving on to a graduate level nursing program within a couple years of experience, so BSN would be the quickest/cheaper route there.

I agree with the general consensus here that it depends on what works for you, what your priorities are, etc. There are many many different pathways to reach your goal, but you have to decide what is the BEST path for YOU.

RnBound0510 · Jun 4, 2008

For my situation, there was no way that ADN would be good for me because by the time I decided that I wanted to finish school to become an RN, 1) I started off at a university and left 2 1/2 years later, making me already halfway to finish a bachelors. 2) All the community colleges in my area have a waiting list of about 2 years anyway. If I decided to wait it out for an ADN, it literally would take me the same amount of time to get a BSN. 3) I have really good prereq grades (3.8 GPA) where there should be no problem into getting into a BSN program. 4) I'm still pretty young (25 years old) with no kids which makes my time very flexible. And one of the biggest deciding factors 5) I'm planning on moving on to a graduate level nursing program within a couple years of experience, so BSN would be the quickest/cheaper route there.
I agree with the general consensus here that it depends on what works for you, what your priorities are, etc. There are many many different pathways to reach your goal, but you have to decide what is the BEST path for YOU.

exactly!! :yeah:

Sunset87, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN, CNM · Jun 4, 2008

ADN because that is what my school offers, but this year they added a BSN completion program so after I get my ADN I can go back for the BSN. Also since I decided to go to college a couple of years later than normal, I'd like to finish up quick. I figure I can get my license and go from there. I could go to my school's other campus and get my BSN right away, but I don't want to move. Like other poster said, hospitals will pay for you to get your BSN. That will save me money and allow me to work while earning my BSN.

Hazel11 · Jun 5, 2008

I chose BSN because I didn't want to deal with waiting lists at community colleges and going through the process of getting the ADN, then the BSN (I want to go to graduate school as well.) Like others have said, it does just depend on what's going on in your life and how much and how many years you want to invest. I'm really happy that hospitals are willing to help pay for my education-even as a student! :yeah: You just have to always think of yourself and family as well. Good luck!