Need help on the best way to get my RN degree

Nurses General Nursing

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hi, i'm wondering if anyone could give me advice on the best way to obtain my rn degree. i'm currently on a wait list for an associates rn program but i have another two years before i would start the program, and i've started thinking about other options such as transferring from the community college i'm at to a university to complete a bsn program instead. i guess what i'm wondering is would it be better to transfer and get the bsn degree right away or to just stay on the wait list and get the associates degree and just further my education later on? is there really any difference between the two degrees? also does it make any difference which degree i have if i want to go into or nursing?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Operating Room.

I don't know if this helps but some of the universities set up their RN programs so that you are eligible to apply to take NCLEX before you are actually done with your BSN. I have always thought that was great because it means you can start working and finish up your degree at the same time...

Then again I am wrapping up an ADN program and I feel blessed because I am done in 2 years with NO student loans!!! yipee!

Really, it's up to you.....

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Specializes in Telemetry, CCU.

I was in a situation similar to yours; it was going to take a long time for me to get into an ADN program, so I took an extra semester of prereqs (had nothing else to do anyway) and went straight into a BSN program. Sure, it took 3 years as opposed to 2, but I'm pretty sure that I graduated sooner than I would have if had stayed on that waiting list forever. I'm happy with the choice I made. And no, it won't make a difference in your career when you first start out. The BSN will help in the future if you want to go on to education, management, things like that. Good luck

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

money aside, by the time you get in the ADN program you would be nearly complete with the BSN program and it may result in more doors being opened down the line.

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

If tuition cost and travel time is not an issue, I definitely suggest for you to enroll in the BSN program. It doesn't matter what RN degree you have to be able to work in the OR.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

The best way to get your RN depends on YOU. I will tell you how I decided to to it the way I did. I applied to a BSN program that uses a merit system and an ASN that uses a lotto system that puts people with 4.0s in the same hat as those with 2.5 GPAs. I got accepted into the BSN program and was 72 on the waiting list at the ASN program, which would have been at least a 1 year wait, maybe two (ended up that it would have only been 1 but I could not have know that at the time). Since I knew I wanted to get my BSN eventually anyways and I knew my grandmother would help me with $ I went for the BSN. It cost a lot more for me to go to the University to get my BSN vs the CJ and get my ASN...But in the long run, even though a BSN is longer than an ASN I actually saved time and got a higher education:

In my area it takes four semester to get your ASN and five semesters to get a BSN... only one semester more. To go the ASN rout and then bridge it takes seven semesters!

So if you can afford higher tuition it it totally worth it...it all comes down to the money. If you know for sure for sure that you will always want to be a bed side nurse then then the ASN is just fine...but how can anyone know for sure? What if you decide you want to get your FNP? You will have to go back to school for a minimum of 1 year (probably more because BSN require more pre-reqs) before you can even apply for a DNP program and get your FNP. Or you can do a direct entry ASN to DNP but from what I understand they are intense and you can not work during these and also require additional pre-reqs for the ASN nurse...and if your original issue is money....your stuck in the same spot...it seems like it would cost less to pay the $$ for your BSN and then work during your DNP then to save the few getting your ASN then paying out the nose and being unable to work in a ASN to DNP...

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Thanks everyone, your advise is really helpful! I have a little while before i have to decide but from what i'm hearing it seems like the BSN program is the better way to go. I'd like the bigger degree i just didn't want to spend alot of extra money on it if it really wasn't necessary especially seeing i have to pay for everything myself. Thanks again though! :)

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

ASN is very affordable. ASN will help you with your clinical skills.

BSN will give you a deeper understanding of disease processes and the understanding of where the disease process is heading. Your ability to anticipate where the care should be focused will probably be better than the average ADN grad.

In my honest opinion, I would rather have the skill set for the job and not the huge student loan when starting out. The book knowledge from University study is extremely valuable though.

It takes about a years time for the BSN grad's skill set (hands on skill set) as a graduate to catch up to the ADN.

PS, I thought that the BSN degree would have been best for me too. My mom was a BSN. However, looking back I have no regrets. Pays absolutely the same!

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