Differences between BSN and ADN?

Go for the BSN. Most jobs now require it, esp if u are a new grad. If u can do it quicker than 4 years even better. After 31 years as a RN, I am now going back to get my BSN. You can never predict what can happen out there. I have worked in a union hospital for 30 years, there is a chance it may close, if I have to get another job most all require a BSN. Never thought this could happen but it may. Heading now for the BSN.

Good Luck!

Unfortunately the pay rate isn't significantly different from what I have seen, but the major difference is your future employer. If I could have done my education over I would have most definitely went for a BSN program. One example I can give you is a good friend of mine started at a hospital a one and a half years ago and I planned to work at the same hospital. They now require a Bachelors, so there goes my opportunity. Don't make the same mistake, I am now working and back in school for my Bachelors.

The answer to your question is: It depends.

While the job market for RN's in general isn't great, in many parts of the country it is much worse for ADN's than BSN's. Many hospitals that used to hire ADN's ("BSN preferred") now stipulate "BSN required". This doesn't mean that the job market for BSN's is great, just that it's better than for ADN's.

As you note however, it is far less expensive to get your ADN. Once you become an RN, you have options that weren't open to you before. One is that you can now get your BSN through an on-line program, possibly at much lower cost than through the traditional brick-and-mortar route. It sounds like you have many of the prereqs for a bachelor's program done. If this is true, and you only have the nursing courses to take, there are several RN-BSN programs out there that are less than $8 or $9k. I'm doing this and am in a fully-accredited on-lin program offered through a well-reguarded state university that will run only about $7,500. Since you'll have your RN, you can continue to apply for nursing jobs as well. You may get lucky and not only get a job, but one with tuition assistance as well.

I'm in full agreement with the previous replies - you will almost certainly need the BSN. While not discounting the ADN, my suggestion would be to view it as an intermediate step and set the BSN as the overall goal.

It matters if you want to look for a job elsewhere. I have a BA and a Masters' Degree in another field. But went back to complete BSN online. About 6000 dollars, employer reimbursed.