Desperate for Advice: ASN or ABSN (Santa Fe College, UF)

Published

  1. Recommended program tracks

    • 0
      ASN then BSN while working
    • 1
      ABSN then BSN to DNP for ARNP
    • 0
      ASN then BSN. Do not pursue ARNP track in the future.
    • 0
      ABSN and do not pursue ARNP track in the future.

1 member has participated

Hello everyone,

Background: I have 2 degrees from UF a B.S. and M.S. in Agricultural Education and Communication. I graduated with my M.S. 2 years ago and my B.S. 4 years ago. After entering the work force for about a year, I became depressed (this was odd because I am a very happy person) and realized that my current career path was the cause of my anxiety and depression.

I did a lot of research, and internal reflection and decided to begin pursuing a new life path as a nurse. My long-term goal is to become an ARNP specializing in women's health.

Programs: I am almost done taking my prerequisites part-time while working full-time and I am applying to the two programs that are my options in Gainesville, FL, UF (accelerated BSN) and Santa FE (ASN). The ASN program is 14 months (beginning in spring 2017) and the ABSN program is 15 months (beginning in summer 2017). The ASN (45 credit hours) tuition is approximately $5,000 and the ABSN program (59 credit hours) is approximately $13,000. According to Santa Fe's website the median salary for an RN with an ASN is $40,000 and $65,000 for someone with a BSN.

ASN Route

Pros:


    [*=1]Half the cost. I have a lot of student loan debt from my other two degrees.
    [*=1]Employer will pay for BSN
    [*=1]More clinical experience
    [*=1]Begin working as an RN 5 months sooner

Cons:


    [*=1]Lower starting salary
    [*=1]More time in school: ASN (45 credits), BSN (30 credits), BSN to DNP (75 credits) (150 credits, 77 months or 6.4 years) with BSN and DNP being part-time.

ABSN Route

Pros:

  1. Less time in school: BSN (59 credits) then BSN to DNP program (75 credits) (105 credits, 63 months)

  2. Higher starting salary ($65k vs. $$40k)

Cons:

  1. Less clinical hours

  2. Costs more than twice as much as ASN

  3. Possibly unemployed spring 2017. The grant I work under ends in December, which is perfect for starting the ASN program (if accepted) in spring, but I would have to look for a temporary full-time job during the spring if I wait to be accepted into the ABSN in summer.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and provide me with advice. I would appreciate and confirmations or contradictions from what I have found in my research. I would especially appreciate feedback from anyone with experience with the UF or Santa Fe nursing programs. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In the poll, I neglected to include the track that I think I prefer at the moment and that is to get my ASN, then BSN while working and later pursue my BSN to DNP while working.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There are some ASN-MSN programs out there. I would look into doing that, then going MSN-DNP.

Honestly though, get through the actual NCLEX and being a nurse for awhile before considering DNP. Just my two cents.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the advice. I agree, I will definitely work as an RN for a couple of years before deciding on my next step.

My big hurtle right now is just to figure out if the ASN or accelerated BSN is the better route. Since I know that most hospitals in my area require RNs to receive their BSN within the first two years of employment, I think starting my BSN might have to be an immediate move right after becoming employed. I am not sure if employers would accept me doing an ASN-MSN program instead of a BSN. Do you have any knowledge of situations like that?

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thanks for the advice. I agree, I will definitely work as an RN for a couple of years before deciding on my next step.

My big hurtle right now is just to figure out if the ASN or accelerated BSN is the better route. Since I know that most hospitals in my area require RNs to receive their BSN within the first two years of employment, I think starting my BSN might have to be an immediate move right after becoming employed. I am not sure if employers would accept me doing an ASN-MSN program instead of a BSN. Do you have any knowledge of situations like that?

Thanks!

I don't have any knowledge of employers not hiring when you're in an RN-MSN program. I would be inclined to believe they would still hire you, as an MSN is a higher degree. With an MSN, you'd be able to move into management which is always appealing to employers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I don't have any knowledge of employers not hiring when you're in an RN-MSN program. I would be inclined to believe they would still hire you, as an MSN is a higher degree. With an MSN, you'd be able to move into management which is always appealing to employers.

Just an FYI, some of these ASN-MSN programs award you your BSN along the way, so that's definitely a plus to mention to your employer or to list on a resume! Because your BSN will be earned along with your MSN! Hope this helps! I plan on doing the ASN-MSN too btw.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just an FYI, some of these ASN-MSN programs award you your BSN along the way, so that's definitely a plus to mention to your employer or to list on a resume! Because your BSN will be earned along with your MSN! Hope this helps! I plan on doing the ASN-MSN too btw.

That's very useful to know. Thank you very much.

At this point, I plan on going with whatever program I can get accepted to. Although my grades are good, the competition is very steep in my area. Honestly, I would like to do the ABSN, if I can afford it, because it will save me quite a bit of time, even with the ASN-MSN tracks.

Do you also have previous degrees?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
That's very useful to know. Thank you very much.

At this point, I plan on going with whatever program I can get accepted to. Although my grades are good, the competition is very steep in my area. Honestly, I would like to do the ABSN, if I can afford it, because it will save me quite a bit of time, even with the ASN-MSN tracks.

Do you also have previous degrees?

Sweet! I'd love to do a ABSN. But I have 3 kids under 3, and just can't stand to be away from them at their age Haha! So I'll be taking a little longer route that allows me to stay home. Yes I do. B.S in Psych and B.A in Spanish. Which is why I hope to do an evening program for my ASN, then just bridge ASN-MSN online, so I can still stay home, and also work PRN. At least that's the plan anyway! O_o!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sweet! I'd love to do a ABSN. But I have 3 kids under 3, and just can't stand to be away from them at their age Haha! So I'll be taking a little longer route that allows me to stay home. Yes I do. B.S in Psych and B.A in Spanish. Which is why I hope to do an evening program for my ASN, then just bridge ASN-MSN online, so I can still stay home, and also work PRN. At least that's the plan anyway! O_o!!

That's great! I would feel the same way if I had little ones. I do not have any yet, but would like to start thinking about children in a few years, which is why I would like to do an accelerated program and be done with school until if/when I decide to go for my DNP.

My biggest hesitation with considering the ASN-MSN degree track is that most of my local hospitals will pay for people with an ASN to get their BSN while working, but I don't believe they would pay for an ASN-MSN program. It's a tough decision. Having so many options is seems to be a blessing and a curse.

I also have two other degrees a B.S. and M.S. in Agricultural Education and Communication. I just discovered that some MSN programs will accept applications from individuals with a bachelor's degree in another area as long as the prerequisites are completed. I have not done extensive research on those programs, but it is likely that they require less time/credit hours than the ASN-MSN specific programs. This is one I discovered near me MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner | UCF College of Nursing. In the BSN requirements they state that "non-nursing bachelors" may apply. :-)

I hope this helps. Thank you for providing me with another perspective from someone in a similar situation. Good luck with your little ones and your pursuit of further education. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
That's great! I would feel the same way if I had little ones. I do not have any yet, but would like to start thinking about children in a few years, which is why I would like to do an accelerated program and be done with school until if/when I decide to go for my DNP.

My biggest hesitation with considering the ASN-MSN degree track is that most of my local hospitals will pay for people with an ASN to get their BSN while working, but I don't believe they would pay for an ASN-MSN program. It's a tough decision. Having so many options is seems to be a blessing and a curse.

I also have two other degrees a B.S. and M.S. in Agricultural Education and Communication. I just discovered that some MSN programs will accept applications from individuals with a bachelor's degree in another area as long as the prerequisites are completed. I have not done extensive research on those programs, but it is likely that they require less time/credit hours than the ASN-MSN specific programs. This is one I discovered near me MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner | UCF College of Nursing. In the BSN requirements they state that "non-nursing bachelors" may apply. :-)

I hope this helps. Thank you for providing me with another perspective from someone in a similar situation. Good luck with your little ones and your pursuit of further education. :)

That's awesome info! I'll definitely look into MSN programs that consider non nursing students also! Thanks! And best of luck to you too!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion