Current Texas A&M student, seeking advice to go ADN or BSN post-grad

[alli_329]

I will receive my bachelor of science degree Fall 2017. By that time I will have completed all nursing prerequisites.

My question..... ADN or BSN?

Already having my bachelors from A&M, would getting my ADN give me a BSN? (that might be a stupid question) Are there any schools in the Dallas area that offer something like this?

I really want to get in the field ASAP. My GPA will be around a 3.5 but I am worried I won't be accepted to my preferred BSN schools.

Is there really a huge benefit in getting a second bachelors? Will I be paid more? Would it take longer & be more expensive to go ahead and get my ADN upon graduation from A&M and then do my BSN once I have a job rather than just go straight for the BSN?

[Zyprexa_Ho]

I'm a big fan of the ASN then BSN plan. It's what I'm doing as a second degree student. It will cost you less in the long run, and you get to work a full year sooner which makes you money in an opportunity cost fashion. Depending on where you live, you may get stuck with less desirable jobs until you get your BSN (eg long term care), but to me it would be worth it because of the financial reasons (and I also have a thing for LTC).

[Shanella25]

I'm more of a fan of the BSN degree to be honest. You are open to more jobs. If you go get your ASN that will take you 2 yrs and then u will have to go back and get your RN-BSN which I like another yr 1 or 2 later on. But if you are graduating in the fall of 2017 with your bachelors, you can apply to an accelerated nursing program which takes about 12 months and you get your BSN!! I'm currently a BSN student, and my professors always tell us it's best to get your bachelors, because everything is just becoming so competitive and most of the hospitals aren't hiring ASN nurses anymore. Which is true because where I live in Connecticut one of the hospital's stopped hiring ASN nurses. & with the BSN programs you also learn a lot more information, for example one of the ASN program in the town I live don't require the students to take pathophysiology but all of the BSN programs does, and from my experience pathophysiology helps a lot when your in nursing school. But if you're not sure just compare the ASN & BSN programs, do your research and chose a program the is BEST for YOU. Good luck :)

[Jennifereve_BSN, RN]

At one point in time I was in the same boat as you. I had a BS in legal studies and wanted to get into nursing. You have three options: ASN program, BSN, or accelerated BSN program for students who already hold a bachelors degree. For me it worked out better to go for the ASN program because I could get it done quicker and start working. I did have a harder time finding a job at first (but I think that was due to gpa and not that I didn't have a BSN). Also this was 5 years ago...do research in your local area and make sure hospitals are still hiring ASN nurses. In my area the school I obtained my ASN from was very well known for their nursing programs and we're still hiring them, and even today will still take it. I just completed my RN-BSN online and was able to work full time while doing so, my hospital offered tuition reimbursement which was a plus, and I got a 3% raise when I submitted my diploma. They do start BSN grads pay rate a little higher than ASN. So my advice would be, think about yourself and the area you live in and figure out what would work better for you. I will say I felt very prepared for nursing after my ASN program. It was very hands on. I can't speak for the traditional BSN. And the RN-BSN was a lot of papers and power points..it taught you to think about nursing in a different way (about cultural differences, legal and ethical aspects, leadership, informatics, family nursing, etc). Hope this helps!