Get ASN and immediately after, BSN or Straight to BSN?

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 19, 2017

I would suggest applying for both and see where you get accepted. Does the 3 years for the BSN include pre-requisites? Same for the 2 year ADN? I know my ADN program was 2 years, but with all the pre-requisites, it was really 3 years.

I applied to both an ADN & BSN program and was accepted to both. I ultimately chose the ADN program because I could earn my RN license faster and therefore, work as an RN while doing an RN-to-BSN program. The ADN's tuition rate was much more affordable as well. I was able to pay out-of-pocket with my own savings. I would have had to go in to student loan debt for the 4 year BSN program.

I was able to secure a job before I even graduated from the ADN program and started immediately after getting my license. The hospital I work for paid for the RN-to-BSN program. I completed the BSN in 9 months doing an online program. I worked full time night shift while doing the RN-to-BSN program (three 12 hour shifts per week). If I had done the 4 year BSN program, I would just be graduating this May. Instead, I've got nearly 2 years as an RN under my belt. That's important because I'm planning on going to NP school. Getting experience as a working RN was definitely important.

So, weigh the pros and cons as they relate to *you* and that will help you determine which direction you should go.

Smileskyy08 · Jan 19, 2017

So I started with my ADN, worked part time, roughly 30 hours a week. It was do-able. When I graduated, I got my license and a job, went through a residency program, and then went back for my BSN. Many places like people to have their BSN first, but I told them during interviews that I had already applied for the BSN program. Anyway, going through the BSN program now, at least at my school, it's one day a week, and the program lasts a year. I work as a floor nurse 36 hours a week, and still go to school. It's tough, but I feel like I understand the requirements of a BSN better, working on the floor and knowing why things are important and how to really incorporate it. During my ADN, it was real life vs. text book situations, and the difference became hard to differentiate, specially with tests. Now, it's all what is going on at work, and using real life examples to help further my understanding. If you do a straight to BSN school, you lose the importance of leadership and ethics, etc, because you're too focused trying to learn how to be a nurse in the first place.

LouisPaz96 · Jan 19, 2017

My ADN program is only 1 year of pre-reqs and ONLY requires A&P 1 + lab with B or higher, but if one would like to be competitive, it would be wise to complete all the pre reqs (Roughly 2-4 semesters worth depending if you take all), so it can be done anywhere from 3 years - 4 years. The BSN however, it is a minimum of 2 years, plus another 3 years so total of 5 years for a BSN, on average.

I do see that the benefit is the fact you can get out and work a year earlier, and possibly get experience. Also money is another thing when it comes to deciding which one I want to go to. As I mentioned before, I could get through my ADN program with no loans at all, and little to no out of pocket expense but I can't say the same for a BSN program for 3 consecutive years. I really want to get my BSN as soon as possible, but time for my current job (as I need to make income) and money (financial aid practically puts me through school), makes it a very hard decision.

How exactly did you line up a job before even leaving the program?

Also my ADN program has a 99% NCLEX passing rate and the BSN has a 91% passing rate (roughly). If it matters.

Minagreen2003 · Jan 30, 2017

I'm glad you that you posted this question. I'm in the Atlanta area and hoping to start nursing school in the fall of this year. I've been a respiratory therapist 6years now and need a change. I know nursing is my answer. I've been nervous about taking the Teas test...even nervous that I won't qualify to get in school. My husband is being very supportive in my desire to go back to school. At minimum I want my ADN period to at least be a nurse. BSN will happily cap me off and I can live the rest of my days with that. I'm already looking ahead for a good online RN-BSN program. But my ultimate goal is to become an NP or Nurse educator. I hope we both accomplish our goals. And reading all of the advice so far on here has been helpful to me also.

LouisPaz96 · Feb 2, 2017

If I have any advice to offer, buy the book + 2 online test practice bundle. Help alot more than you would think and you can 8 hrs per section so you can write down, take pictures, etc. of any questions you do not understand or got right but do not know why it is right. In addition, the online tests give you immediate feedback (some useful, some not) of every single question and every single answer choice on why it is right or wrong. Now certain sections, I could tell you which ones to focus on if you like.

Devon Rex, ADN, BSN · Oct 15, 2017

Based on my experience... the BSN was a walk in the park compared to the ADN. The BSN was a lot of reading, papers, online forums, and only 2 community experiences (practicums) at the end of my degree. The ADN had all this plus the clinicals... much more time consuming and stressful.

I got my BSN from St Petersburg College in Florida for less than $8K... but I'm a FL resident.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 15, 2017

How exactly did you line up a job before even leaving the program?

I applied to new grad residency programs. I was interviewed for the position 2 months before graduation. I just had to give them a letter from the school stating I was in academic good-standing and that I was on track to graduate on time. My nursing program administration was happy to provide the letter because it looks good for their graduate employment stats if we get jobs lined up. Out of the 64 people in my cohort, only 4 did not pass NCLEX on the first try (93% success rate). Of those who failed, 2 passed the second time, 1 had to take it a 3rd time. The 4th student opted not to take the NCLEX a third time and is still not an RN.