Difference between getting ADN, then BSN and going straight for BSN?

caliotter3 · Oct 14, 2014

People who go into a BSN program initially typically save time and money and effort.

Susie2310 · Oct 14, 2014

I don't think that what you are contemplating is pointless at all. I pretty much followed what you have outlined. It was much cheaper and far more practical for me to obtain my RN license through a community college ADN program and then bridge into a BSN program at a state university directly after I received my RN license. All of my course work was done at community colleges, even college statistics, with the exception of the BSN classes and one general education class that wasn't offered at the community college. I have never regretted taking this route, and would do so again. I received excellent affordable training in my ADN program, and then took the extra necessary classes for the BSN at a higher cost at the state university. The foundation of my nursing practice was obtained in my ADN program.

If you are really considering both programs, I suggest researching the clinical components of both courses and comparing them. The clinical component of my ADN program had a large amount of hands-on care that we provided in acute care at area hospitals. We were in clinicals two days a week, including summer school. I rotated through four different hospitals in med-surg (oncology and neuro/ortho), step-down ICU, labor and delivery, pediatrics, psych, med-surg again, rehabilitation, another med-surg rotation, geriatric rotation at a local skilled nursing facility, and student work experience and then a preceptorship on an oncology unit. In comparison, some of the BSN students at the state university told me in their final semesters that they had received hardly any clinical training and didn't feel prepared to be nurses. I am not suggesting that this is generally the case in BSN programs, but just mention this as something to be aware of, that differences in clinical training exist and I believe it is greatly to one's advantage to receive the best possible hands-on clinical training, whether that is in an ADN or BSN program.

klone, MSN, RN · Oct 14, 2014

A lot of it depends on the area in which you work, how saturated it is with RNs, and how difficult it is for a new grad to find a job. I did exactly what you did - got my ADN, worked for a few years, then went back to school for my BSN utilizing tuition reimbursement through my employer. But I had the advantage of a) starting as a new grad in a totally different era where each new grad had 4+ job offers waiting upon graduation, sign-on bonuses, etc, and b) I lived in a small community where the ONLY nursing grads to feed the need for nurses at the local hospitals was a community college ADN program.

So depending on your community and how stiff the competition is, you may find that you cannot find employment as an ADN, as there are too many new grads out there all vying for the same jobs.

natalieonaje · Oct 15, 2014

In my opinion, the way things are going now, if you can afford to do it, go for the BSN. More and more hospitals in the area I live (Chicago) are requiring the BSN. I just graduated from an ADN program and I've been hard pressed to find my first RN job. I've been flat-out told by HR recruiters that ADN's are competing with the BSN's and the BSN's are getting the job. I've had to immediately enroll in an RN-BSN program which has been challenging for me because they gear the papers toward experienced RN's. At least if you start off in a BSN program, you don't have to rush back to school and you will have an edge in getting a position in a hospital right away.

Mbro5 · Oct 15, 2014

In my opinion, the way things are going now, if you can afford to do it, go for the BSN. More and more hospitals in the area I live (Chicago) are requiring the BSN. I just graduated from an ADN program and I've been hard pressed to find my first RN job. I've been flat-out told by HR recruiters that ADN's are competing with the BSN's and the BSN's are getting the job. I've had to immediately enroll in an RN-BSN program which has been challenging for me because they gear the papers toward experienced RN's. At least if you start off in a BSN program, you don't have to rush back to school and you will have an edge in getting a position in a hospital right away.

You make a very good point. Thank you for your input

PrayingToPass · Nov 3, 2014

RN school credits cost less, and RN-BSN takes 1 year not 2 years.

Go for the bridge, absolutely :specs:

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 3, 2014

RN school credits cost less, and RN-BSN takes 1 year not 2 years.
Go for the bridge, absolutely

That depends entirely on the program, and is not an across-the-board fact.

LoveNeverDies · Nov 3, 2014

Research your area. What is the hiring preference and needs of the places you will look at working? I did an ADN program because it was cheaper. (Roughly 8k cheaper a semester) I will be finishing my BSN within a year as long as I stay on track, and I was hired before graduation as an Intensive Care Nurse. In most places having an ADN would have held me back, being a new grad would have held me back, and getting into an ICU specialty would have been nearly impossible. But I did it and my location allowed for it.

mzrainydayz, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2014

The hospitals in my area are now requiring upon hire to be enrolled in a Rn to BSN program. See what is required at the hospitals in your area. Choose what is right for you and your situation. I did a ADN program and now I am in a RN to BSN program. A community college is a lot cheaper than a university.

rubato, ASN, RN · Nov 4, 2014

It depends on how much time you have and how much money you have.

I chose the ADN route and am now in my BSN bridge. My ADN was paid for by scholarships, but would have only been $11,000 in total. Then, I got my job in my hospital and will get $10,000 tuition reimbursment through the hospital. My bridge is only $12,500, so my total out of pocket payment for my BSN will be #2,500. Not bad at all.

It will end up taking an extra year but well worth it.