Would you choose an Associates OR Bachelors in nursing? need your opinions, please.

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been a pre-nursing student for the past 2 years, and have been diligently taking all of my pre-nursing classes and have been getting all "A's".

Just this month I was faced with a dilemma that has me choosing between 2 programs. I received letters from both the Associates degree program from a community college and also I received an acceptance letter from a university for the accelerated 18months BSN in nursing program. My dilemma is that I don't know which on to choose.

I have saved up about $22,000 for nursing school. The associates program cost about $8000 for the full 2 year term and the BSN nursing program cost about $20,000 full term.

The associates program starts in January 10th 2006 and I will graduate in December 2007. The BSN nursing program starts in May 2006 and I will graduate the same time like the associates in December 2007. Now the catch is, I am accepted to the accelerated BSN program on a provisional basis, meaning that come around March 2006, I will have to be interviewed by a panel of directors and then they will decide if I will be fully accepted to the BSN accelerated program. But with the associates program I am already accepted with no provisions and will start immediately on January 10th 2006. If I don't get in into the BSN acclerated program I am guaranteed a spot in the August 2006 regular 3-year BSN program but I am reluctant to take the 3 year because I am getting older, I am currently 29 and want to start a family.

I do plan on going further in my nursing career and eventually get my Masters and become a Nurse Practitioner or some where down the lines of Pediatrics.

I was hoping I can get some feedback from you folks and please give me some sound advice because this will affect my life and the decision I make today can make a huge impact later in my life. I come to you guys for help and want to know what is the right thing to do and yet I do understand it is my ultimate decision but it does help to see other people's perspectives.

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Well, to get a master's you first have to have a bachelor's...

It might take longer if you take the ADN to BSN route, but I'm not sure.

How soon do you want to become a NP? If you want to do that, I would recommend doing it now, b/c children will just consume your whole life, from my understanding.

That coming from a person w/o children, though....

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

If you plan your Master's/NP, go for the BSN. It makes the most logical progressive sense. You will need that BSN for the MSN anyhow, and it's better to get it done now, than to have to work/go to school and struggle to get a BSN later.

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Specializes in Psychiatry and addictions.

I agree... I think you should go for the BSN. My mom made the decision for me when I was 18, and I'm very thankful that she made me get my BSN. I want to go to grad school, but can't right now d/t money issues. But at least I can go directly into my Master's when I'm ready. If I had the ADN it would be one more hurdle to overcome.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I had the same dilemma you are having, and decided to go for my BSN.

Again, it's easier to get it done all at once, instead of finishing your ADN, getting your license, and going back for your BSN.

You will have the challenges of being a brand new RN AND having to go back to school to get your BSN.

I feel it is easier to get it all done at once! (Too bad BSN school is so darn expensive, though!):uhoh3:

Good Luck with your decision :rolleyes:

Diane

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Specializes in MedSurg.

I had the same decision to make, but where I live they offer a RN to BSN, so it will take me two years to get my ADN and only two semesters after that for my BSN. That is a total of three years, two years at the cost of a community college, and only two semesters at the university cost. You may want to check into whether or not a program like this is offered.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
I had the same decision to make, but where I live they offer a RN to BSN, so it will take me two years to get my ADN and only two semesters after that for my BSN. That is a total of three years, two years at the cost of a community college, and only two semesters at the university cost. You may want to check into whether or not a program like this is offered.

How many credit hours in this RN to BSN program in those two semesters. Saying "two semesters" could mean different things depending on the number of hours.

Also, we're there any pre-reqs prior to the two years of ADN school? You're making it sound like a person can get a BSN in two years and two semesters, which doesn't make sense to me.

My RN to BSN program is two years (but I had some co-reqs to take). But it's a part-time program for working nurses.

To the OP, it is advisable to get the BSN if you can swing it. I couldn't do it that way myself and RN to BSN programs with tuition reimbursement from employers are all around these days.

Good luck in whatever you do.

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I'd choose the BSN too . . . . since you don't have kids yet.

Lots of good advice here . ..

steph

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Specializes in MedSurg.
How many credit hours in this RN to BSN program in those two semesters. Saying "two semesters" could mean different things depending on the number of hours.

Also, we're there any pre-reqs prior to the two years of ADN school? You're making it sound like a person can get a BSN in two years and two semesters, which doesn't make sense to me.

My RN to BSN program is two years (but I had some co-reqs to take). But it's a part-time program for working nurses.

To the OP, it is advisable to get the BSN if you can swing it. I couldn't do it that way myself and RN to BSN programs with tuition reimbursement from employers are all around these days.

Good luck in whatever you do.

These two semesters are two 14 credit hour semesters offered through online or web-enhanced classes. They wanted you to have most of your pre-req's, ex. A&P, 2 English classes, etc. before you get in to the ADN. (My english classes were online and so were humanities.) That is mostly because the program is so competitive. I am married and want to start a family soon, so two years going and one at home was a better choice for me.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
If you plan your Master's/NP, go for the BSN. It makes the most logical progressive sense. You will need that BSN for the MSN anyhow, and it's better to get it done now, than to have to work/go to school and struggle to get a BSN later.

:yeahthat:

I took the looooong route via AAS in Surg Tech, AAS in Nursing [ADN], then Online RN-BSN program. I was a single-parent with 2 sons wanting to change careers from aircraft electrician to healthcare field. I chose the Surg Tech field period of study first d/t ADN waiting list was about 2-3 yrs. Chose ADN before BSN d/t did not have all the prereqs for the BSN program. Later, decided on BSN program d/t a stepping stone [i.e. required for MSN program].

So, I certainly don't knock anyone that chooses the looooong route, such as I did, d/t life's hurdles & roadblocks. However, sounds like the OP has the opportunity, funds, and still very young [i did not start college until my early 30's] to attend BSN program.

Good luck in whatever path you choose best for you.

:)

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I too took the long route but don't recommend it. In the long run, straight to BSN saves time and money (BSNs advance faster at some hospitals).

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I would take the BSN and run never looking back!

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