first year nursing students

tabacue · Aug 26, 2009

It depends on what your needs/goals are really. IMO, an RN is an RN no matter which program you select. For me, I am going the ASN rounte because I have a family to support and need to work as quickly as possible. If you plan to further your education in the medical field then a BSN may be a good choice or if you have the finanical resources to be a student for 4 years. Just depends on your personal situation.

TransplantRN3 · Aug 26, 2009

I agree-- it definitely depends on what your goals are. If you want to become an advanced practice nurse at some point in your career, you will need your BSN. Of course, there are always RN to BSN programs you could do later if you wanted this as well. My only other thought is that if you are living in an area or plan to seek a job in an area where there are hiring freezes/tight competition/not many jobs available, having your BSN will make you more attractive to potential employers. Whatever you decide to do, good luck!

CECE,RN · Aug 26, 2009

Well with me, I chose the ADN route also. I graduate next December with my BSN. So you can do your ADN and get your BSN while you're making cash. Just depends on your needs. What do you want to do in the nursing field....administrative, floor nurse, etc..? And do you have the support needed to successfully go on through to the BSN..if so go on through, if you really don't need money at this time...And if you get financial aid, you might wanna go on through because when you start working as a RN, you might not get assistance with the pay you're gettin' as a RN...just depends on you. THese are just a few things to think about.

lvaliav · Aug 26, 2009

Even if you wanted to eventually become a NP, you could get your RN in two years then work, and maybe your work place will pay for your BSN or you can go straight RN-MSN. I hear that in RN programs you get more direct patient contact. So it is really up to you, what seems to work better in terms of where you are now, mentally and financially. Some places, BSN's only get a dollar more than RN, most places they are getting the same pay. You really have to sit down and thinkg what your ultimate goal is and work according to that. Good luck! And congrats on nursing school!

GOMER42 · Aug 26, 2009

If you want to become an advanced practice nurse at some point in your career, you will need your BSN.

Not true. There are ASN-MSN programs available. Most require that you have 2 years of clinical experience before applying, but you DO NOT have to obtain a BSN in order to be an advanced practice nurse.

In reality, ASN programs take you approximately 3 years to complete (prerequisites and the 2 year program itself) while the BSN will only add a year to your studies. If you have the extra year and the extra money, go ahead and go for the BSN.

You, however, stated that you are starting nursing school on Monday. So, if you are already in the program and starting in a matter of days, I would not suggest throwing away your spot in hopes of getting into a BSN program in a year or so.

Either way, you will be taking the same NCLEX and wearing the same RN badge.

mandalee65 · Aug 26, 2009

This December my husband will graduate from an associate's program, and I am starting it this semester. We've already chosen a school in the same family as our college to do the transition to BSN. I've already got a BBA, so there isn't much left for me to take anyway. I figure that by the time I get the BSN, I'll have the experience I need to get into an MSN program.

Around here, there is no difference whatsoever in pay from the ASN to the BSN. Furthermore, the hospitals in this area would actually rather take students from our school than the others in that offer BSN programs, because we are better prepared!