Do I need a BSN if I have a MA & years of research experience?

Stephalump · Jul 4, 2012

It depends on your area. The major hospitals in my city are all concerned with magnet status, which is causing them to focus on hiring BSN students. Having an ADN plus a non-nursing bachelors is of absolutely no consequence when they're throwing aside the ADN applications and only looking for BSNs.

So I'd definitely look around and ask questions in your area - it definitely varies.

The worst thing that happens is you have to enroll in an RN-BSN program. Still much cheaper than an accelerated BSN.

bluecloud · Jul 5, 2012

Thank you! :)

PMFB-RN, RN · Jul 5, 2012

This is the way it is in nursing:

BSN = BSN

ADN + BA + MA + PHd = ADN

bluecloud · Jul 5, 2012

Thank you.

PMFB-RN, RN · Jul 5, 2012

I am trying to decide between attending an ADN and a BSN program.

I have a MA in Psych and have worked in Psychiatry research in hospitals for YEARS.

Do you all think I could get a good nursing job with an ADN, or would I still need a BSN?

*** This is highly dependant on where you live. In my area new grads with BSNs have no advantage over ADNs when looking for a job. In some areas hospital won't even consider you without a BSN

That last year of coursework that gives one a BSN - is it mostly research and administrative types of courses? Because I have YEARS of experience with those types of things in hospital settings already,

and I want to begin working as a nurse as affordably and quickly as possible.

I am not doing an accelerated program because they cost SO MUCH MONEY, and I have a lot of family to feed. I would like to do community college route. Most of them only offer ADN programs.

What would you all recommend?

Would ADN be okay?

*** If you live in an area where ADN grads have a good chance of being hired then the ADN has many advantages over the BSN. It's cheaper and the actually nursing education is just as good. Once you are an RN getting the BSN, especialy with your education background will be a snap and cheap. You might even consider forgetting the BSN and doing ADN to MSN. There are lots of programs out there for that. there is no need to have a BSN to earn an MSN. The first job is all important. It is where you will REALLY learn to be a nurse. Nursing programs don't realy teach you to be a nurse, they teach you to pass the NCLEX and provide a framework on knowlage that allows you to learn how to be a nurse. Once you have experience the BSN is far, far less important for the purposes of getting hired.

bluecloud · Jul 5, 2012

Thank you very much

RhodyLPNstudent · Jul 5, 2012

If it is financially feasible for you to go to a BSN program or Accelerated program, go for it. If not, community colleges is still the best route. The 5 to 10 thousand that you will pay is merely a fraction of Private BSN programs or Accelerated programs.

With an ASN, you may have to work at a nursing home during your first year. This scenario is completely acceptable because (1) you just graduated from school, even if you have a 4.0 GPA, you still know nothing about NURSING (2) you will get your feet wet and gain experience (3) you just saved 40 to 60 grand by not attending a private college (4) you can easily go to a cheap public RN-BSN program or RN-Masters program (5) you can graduate early by going to a CC and start working while working on your BSN or MSN (perhaps online).

veggie530 · Jul 5, 2012

I'd go with the ADN. If you want to get the BSN you can enroll immediately after you become an RN and do it through an online school (Phoenix, GCU) or through a university locally (which likely will also offer online options) for a fraction of the cost.

I'd also submit to you that many ADN programs give you a lot of clinical time in those 2 years.

veggie530 · Jul 5, 2012

Thank you very much

Like someone else said, too, you can bridge to an MSN if you already have a BA/BS. GCU and Univ. of Phoenix both offer programs like that.

I think GCU's RN-BSN route is like 16.5k in total. You should request information on that at GCU/Phoenix as well as at your local universities.

Abigail612 · Jul 5, 2012

You dont have to chose one or the other, get you ADN and as soon as you graduate apply to a ADN to BSN program most of these ADN to BSN programs are almost completely on line and cheaper. This way you can get a job as an ADN to help pay for the cost of getting your BSN. Some facilities will even pay for you to get your BSN as long as you promise to work for them for a certain amount of time. Good Luck!

JZ_RN · Jul 5, 2012

For the most part, only nursing degrees matter for nursing employers.