rn ? bsn?

Nurses General Nursing

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hello all

i was hoping some one could help me out deciding which would be the best idea

getting my adn now or bsn? is it worth getting the adn then going back for bsn? and what are the benefits of bsn?

thanks hope to hear from you:eek:

hello all

i was hoping some one could help me out deciding which would be the best idea

getting my adn now or bsn? is it worth getting the adn then going back for bsn? and what are the benefits of bsn?

thanks hope to hear from you:eek:

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

In most communities, either degree (ADN or BSN) will get you a basic entry-level job in nursing. The questions is: What opportunities do you want to have 5, 10, 15 years from now? The BSN will help you get promotions and/or be qualified for some jobs that ADN graduates may not be eligible for. Many people going into nursing never stop and think about their lives in 15 years and the fact that they might want additional opportunities and/or the types of nursing jobs for which a BSN or even a Master's Degree are preferred. What is the likelihood that you will someday want a job that requires more education than an ADN. Only you can answer that ... but you may have to think long and hard about it.

Also, what EXACTLY are the nursing programs like in your area? Some ADN programs are truly only 2 years in length. Others require so many pre-requisites that they take 3 full time years to complete. If your local ADN choices are going to take you 3 years to complete ... and you'll need to spend another 2 years or so getting your BSN ... that makes the route to the BSN a lot longer than it needs to be. If such is the case, it might be quicker and cheaper to get the BSN right from the start. But then, that's not true in every case. If your local ADN programs are only 2 years in length and there are good, reasonable BSN completion programs in your area .... then, starting with your ADN can make a lot of sense. With your ADN, you can get a job, earn an RN salary and let your employer help pay for your BSN with tuition reimbursement benefits.

As you can see from my comments above, there in no one single answer to your original question. A lot depends upon who you are as a person, your finances, what your career goals are, and what the nursing programs are like in your region.

llg

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

In most communities, either degree (ADN or BSN) will get you a basic entry-level job in nursing. The questions is: What opportunities do you want to have 5, 10, 15 years from now? The BSN will help you get promotions and/or be qualified for some jobs that ADN graduates may not be eligible for. Many people going into nursing never stop and think about their lives in 15 years and the fact that they might want additional opportunities and/or the types of nursing jobs for which a BSN or even a Master's Degree are preferred. What is the likelihood that you will someday want a job that requires more education than an ADN. Only you can answer that ... but you may have to think long and hard about it.

Also, what EXACTLY are the nursing programs like in your area? Some ADN programs are truly only 2 years in length. Others require so many pre-requisites that they take 3 full time years to complete. If your local ADN choices are going to take you 3 years to complete ... and you'll need to spend another 2 years or so getting your BSN ... that makes the route to the BSN a lot longer than it needs to be. If such is the case, it might be quicker and cheaper to get the BSN right from the start. But then, that's not true in every case. If your local ADN programs are only 2 years in length and there are good, reasonable BSN completion programs in your area .... then, starting with your ADN can make a lot of sense. With your ADN, you can get a job, earn an RN salary and let your employer help pay for your BSN with tuition reimbursement benefits.

As you can see from my comments above, there in no one single answer to your original question. A lot depends upon who you are as a person, your finances, what your career goals are, and what the nursing programs are like in your region.

llg

All that you said really helped... these were all things I had suspected but you know sometimes you just need some back up... any ither advice any one has for a student would be great

thanx again:D :nurse:

All that you said really helped... these were all things I had suspected but you know sometimes you just need some back up... any ither advice any one has for a student would be great

thanx again:D :nurse:

I agree with everything already posted by llg. It really matters what YOUR personal situation is.

In my case, I am an older student. When I started all of this I was in a differnt location that offered the BSN program. Where I moved to they didn't offer a BSN, but I still wanted to be a nurse! Right as I was about to start my core classes, they started a satellite program where we can get our BSN. Since I was already done with my 2 years of pre-reqs for the ADN, I continued on that track. Yes, I am wasting some time by taking 4 years and just getting my RN / ADN, but I hadn't been to school in so long that I had to take all the remedial algebra classes and basic biology classes in order to even be eligible for the pre-reqs! That was in addition to the other requirements for a degree AND after that the 2 years of core courses.

If you are just leaving high school, you probably won't have all those courses and getting your BSN might be a LOT quicker. I had money issues, time issues (I am an older student), and location issues. AFTER I get my RN, I am hoping to have my employer reimburse the costs to get my BSN while I am able to earn a living. But THAT IS JUST MY SITUATION.

As funny as this may seem coming from an ADN student -- If you can, I would recommend the BSN.

I agree with everything already posted by llg. It really matters what YOUR personal situation is.

In my case, I am an older student. When I started all of this I was in a differnt location that offered the BSN program. Where I moved to they didn't offer a BSN, but I still wanted to be a nurse! Right as I was about to start my core classes, they started a satellite program where we can get our BSN. Since I was already done with my 2 years of pre-reqs for the ADN, I continued on that track. Yes, I am wasting some time by taking 4 years and just getting my RN / ADN, but I hadn't been to school in so long that I had to take all the remedial algebra classes and basic biology classes in order to even be eligible for the pre-reqs! That was in addition to the other requirements for a degree AND after that the 2 years of core courses.

If you are just leaving high school, you probably won't have all those courses and getting your BSN might be a LOT quicker. I had money issues, time issues (I am an older student), and location issues. AFTER I get my RN, I am hoping to have my employer reimburse the costs to get my BSN while I am able to earn a living. But THAT IS JUST MY SITUATION.

As funny as this may seem coming from an ADN student -- If you can, I would recommend the BSN.

I am almost done with my BSN, I have been going to school since Feb. of 01 for that degree, I am an AD RN and I hope to get accepted into CRNA school in which you need a BSN, I am a strong advocate for education and I cannot emphasize that enough if you want to get a graduate degree someday take the extra two years you won't even remember the sacrafice in the future Good Luck Nec

I am almost done with my BSN, I have been going to school since Feb. of 01 for that degree, I am an AD RN and I hope to get accepted into CRNA school in which you need a BSN, I am a strong advocate for education and I cannot emphasize that enough if you want to get a graduate degree someday take the extra two years you won't even remember the sacrafice in the future Good Luck Nec

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I have an ADN and am pretty happy with that. money and good I work in a hospital setting and do charge nurse often. I have done house supervision as a relief and hate it. I have no interest whatsoever in management or teaching.

I would say however, go for the BSN, if and when that's possible. You never know what your going to want to be doing 30 years from now. 25 years from now I'm still going to be doing what I'm doing. The BSN gives you more options for the future, that you might not be considering today.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I have an ADN and am pretty happy with that. money and good I work in a hospital setting and do charge nurse often. I have done house supervision as a relief and hate it. I have no interest whatsoever in management or teaching.

I would say however, go for the BSN, if and when that's possible. You never know what your going to want to be doing 30 years from now. 25 years from now I'm still going to be doing what I'm doing. The BSN gives you more options for the future, that you might not be considering today.

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