Go straight to BSN or do ADN now and BSN later?

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hi all...

i am new here. what do you think - better to go straight for the bsn or just do the associates for now and get the bsn later? let me note that i plan on going part-time as i have a full-time job in another field. i know the pay doesn't vary too much, but what about job opportunities? i'm hearing hospitals are favoring bsns. any insight would be great!

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I'm not sure that there are ADN programs out there that let you go part time. I'm not sure there are BSN programs out there that let you go part time. Have you found some that will let you? Honestly, I have no clue if there are p/t nursing schools out there. That's interesting and a bit confusing.

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Hello

BSN all the way. If you can do it, do it. It will pay off in the long run. You will certainly be more marketable.

Thanks Waterfall09

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Specializes in IMCU.

I have not heard of any school doing a part-time associates degree. You might want to find out if you can in fact do one part time before getting in a twist about deciding direction. Also, it depends what part-time means to you.

I can only share what my plans are.

Do associates degree.

Get job (if possible with a company that assists with tuition)

Do BSN while working...maybe.

Do masters (although this may end up being a doctorate because my university is abandoning their MSN program in favor of PhD)

If I had known how long I would have to wait to get into my local tech college's ADN program I would have gone straight for the BSN.

Only one hospital locally tends to not hire ADNs in favor of BSNs. You should call the hospitals & large facilities in your area and ask their HR departments -- like a little survey. I always found them terribly helpful.

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Getting your BSN now will really help you out for the future especially if you want to go for your Masters. There are some part-time ADN programs in my area, but the BSN programs aren't part-time unless you do an accelerated program and you need a Bachelors already in another field for that. I'm not sure where you live, but I know some schools are offering part-time/night/weekend ADN programs a lot more now a days. Best of luck!

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

accelerated programs are NOT part time...not even in the slightest. Its balls to the wall, hit the ground running with no time to look back. You don't even have time to breathe! Trust me, I am now a third way through my accelerated program.

That said, I have classmates that still work a day or two a week. Nothing more than that because there isnt much time.

I'd ask the department if they can give you a class schedule and then compare as to which will allow more time to fit in some shifts so you can make extra money.

But if I were you, I'd chose the BSN program. Like others have pointed out, it sets you up for more opportunities later on.

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accelerated programs are NOT part time...not even in the slightest. Its balls to the wall, hit the ground running with no time to look back. You don't even have time to breathe! Trust me, I am now a third way through my accelerated program.

That said, I have classmates that still work a day or two a week. Nothing more than that because there isnt much time.

I'd ask the department if they can give you a class schedule and then compare as to which will allow more time to fit in some shifts so you can make extra money.

But if I were you, I'd chose the BSN program. Like others have pointed out, it sets you up for more opportunities later on.

There are a small # of schools in my area that offer "part-time" or "weekend" 2nd degree ABSN programs, where instead of being done in 12 months or 15 months, you're done in 2 years or 2.5 years, 3 max. Their rationale is getting a BSN

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.
There are a small # of schools in my area that offer "part-time" or "weekend" 2nd degree ABSN programs, where instead of being done in 12 months or 15 months, you're done in 2 years or 2.5 years, 3 max. Their rationale is getting a BSN

yeah mine is 2 years (spring, summer, fall, spring, summer and fall) with only a couple weeks "break" in between those semesters. I had 19 credits my first semester, 13 this summer, and 17 coming up this fall and another 16 in the spring. YIKES! It tapers significantly next summer as we will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX and they (my program) encourage us to work as we finish up our last few classes.

I dont think I was this busy when I was working full time!

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If I knew that it was going to take me FOREVER to get into a nursing school program, I would have just done the BSN.

I start a diploma program next week. It was just changed to a BSN program, and the BSN program looks good. BUT- it's more time, and at this point of my life I need a job NOW.

So what I'm going to do is graduate in 2011 with a diploma. I'll more than likely start the prerequisites (there's 3 more I need) for the BSN program/

I honestly don't want to do anymore school after this- I've been in school for 6 YEARS trying to get into a nursing program. But I'm just not sure how far I could advance in this field with just a diploma, so a BSN it will be.

Maybe I'll have it before my oldest graduates with her bachelors LOL

Cheryl

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yeah mine is 2 years (spring, summer, fall, spring, summer and fall) with only a couple weeks "break" in between those semesters. I had 19 credits my first semester, 13 this summer, and 17 coming up this fall and another 16 in the spring. YIKES! It tapers significantly next summer as we will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX and they (my program) encourage us to work as we finish up our last few classes.

I dont think I was this busy when I was working full time!

Yesh! I commend you, that sounds like a TOUGH schedule... That's definitely accelerated LOL! Best of luck! :D

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sneakymom2010-

are there any bsn program out there that don't require any prereq's? Meaning, a straight RN-BSN program. I used to think I had to also work on my bsn pre's but then was informed the school I plan on attending when I am done w/ my RN is a straight RN-BSN program... YES!!!!

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Specializes in PCU, LTAC, Corrections.
hi all...

i am new here. what do you think - better to go straight for the bsn or just do the associates for now and get the bsn later? let me note that i plan on going part-time as i have a full-time job in another field. i know the pay doesn't vary too much, but what about job opportunities? i'm hearing hospitals are favoring bsns. any insight would be great!

i would say just go for the bsn. i live in the ny metro area. quite a few hospitals over here only hire gn's who have a bsn. it will save you in the long run. i plan on getting my bsn. clinicals for both the asn programs and bsn programs usuallylast 2 yrs. so you might as well just get the bsn.

i plan on becoming a neonatal np eventually. once i start working i just want to focus on getting experience not completing a bsn jsut so i can apply to a msn program.

of course, this depends on your financial status and where you live. if you live in an area where all the hospitals hire both types of rn's and you really cannot afford a bsn program then by all means take the other option.

however, in light of the economy make yourself more marketable and then just get the bsn. then if needs be you can go anywhere in the country.

good luck!!! and what schools are you interested in?

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