Diploma, Assoc, Bachelors - what's best

[sprevis]

I am currently finishing up my pre-req's for admission into either a Diploma or Assoc program in Central Virginia. I do currently hold a bachelor's degree in another area and have just learned that I could possibly get a Bachelor's in Nursing as quickly as either the diploma or Assoc. What's best? What are hospitals looking for in new hires? My main goal is to get working as quickly as possible as I have one child getting ready to start college in August and another on her heels starting the following year. It would be a lot more expensive to go for the Bachelor's degree but if that would help my chances of getting hired - it may be worth it. So what do you think?

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

A lot of places prefer BSNs so I think it would be worth it. ADNs and diplomas are still getting hired so they're not exactly dead-ends either...but a BSN would possibly give you an advantage in the hiring process. Also, it would give you more more career options down the road.

That being said, new grad hiring sucks even if you have a BSN, so IMO do not put yourself in a ridiculous amount of debt just for the degree--there's as many unemployed BSN new grads as there are of any other type.

Best of luck whatever you decide.