I currently have an Associate Degree in Business and Bachelor's degree in Nutrition. I was on the pre-med path for a bit, but decided not to go to med school. I currently have 75k of student loan debt, none of which is from private loans. I got accepted into both BSN and ASN nursing programs. I'd like to work in Emergency Medicine as a nurse primarily. I'm currently working as an EMT for ambulance companies. I'd like to eventually advance education to the DNP.
Any help is appreciated in making a decision. Comparing the two programs
BSN accelerated vs ASN nursing programs
Length
Both start in the Fall of this year.
BSN is 16 months straight with a full-time course load (18 credits per semester)
ASN is 24 months part-time (9-12 credits per semester) with all your college breaks. (I have many of the classes already)
I could work earlier with the BSN.
Cost
The BSN is considerably more expensive. 36 grand total tuition. With an additional credits required, I'm concerned I'd have to take out additional loans also to help pay for expenses. I'm already in significant debt. Funding this would all have to come from private loans also, which I don't like
The ASN is CHEAP in comparison. Along with scholarships, I plan on paying out of pocket. . Fall semester runs around $3500. I can also continue to work full-time with benefits working in EMS. I'd have to reduce to part-time to attend the BSN program.
It seems like this really is the deal breaker. Ultimately a RN is an RN. From what I hear, many companies would help pay for a transitional BSN also in trade for a commitment for years worked for them.
I understand that ultimately most dnp programs require the BSN.
I hear that certain hospitals won't hire BSNs on these boards, but it doesn't seem like that is the case locally here. It seems like all I'd achieve with pursuing the BSN is paying more for my education ultimately.
The ASN program here has a good reputation for educating nurses.
Go for the adn. Im pretty sure cost is a factor for you so im guessing you already know the adn program is best for you right now. Yes it is longer but its more financially responsible for you to not got into more debt. Plus you can work at the same time. School is important, but if you have other responsibilities such as rent, food, and other bills, these also need to be considered when making your decision. Ask yourself, do you wanna owe 100k when you finish school? Im in the philly area and the adn programs are HARDER to get into than the bsn programs. So if you got a chance to become an RN for cheaper....TAKE IT! When you finish, do a bridge program and you should be done in no time.
Well it it sounds like you've made up you mind. Go with what works for you. Good luck.
I haven't actually yet. I'm still very much working to decide which one to go to, or if I can actually even do the Accelerated BSN due to a number of factors.
seeing you have previous debt go the ADN..this BSN thing esp in my town-Phoenix is just a bad rumor.You can get employee tuition reimbursement for your BSN.I did ADN route at a cheap price..vs coworkers that did a BSN for 75k..i cannot fathom paying that loan back.Also i have moved around even got into Mayo Clinic(whih is like hard/golden gates )to get into with an ADN.Goodluck
I hear both sides all the time. It apparently has everything to do with one's local market. I hear people tell me that places are only hiring BSN, and I'm sure that's true in some markets. I don't see that around my location at the moment however.
I'm hoping my background as well as the fact I do actually already have two degrees in which one is a bachelor's degree means something.
The ADN program here is MUCH more accommodating when it comes to cost, working while in the program, etc.
I just got off the phone with an advisor yesterday from the BSN. They recommended not working, which will of course eliminate my health insurance which would have to be purchased then through the school. Estimated costs were $3450/year. So add that as well as the other various fees onto the 32,500 estimated tuition costs.
Add a year and a quarter of lost wages due to not working, and the whole thing gets pretty expensive. All of which pretty much would have to be financed through private loans.
I'm not even sure I should be thinking that it's an option anymore.
Go for the adn. Im pretty sure cost is a factor for you so im guessing you already know the adn program is best for you right now. Yes it is longer but its more financially responsible for you to not got into more debt. Plus you can work at the same time. School is important, but if you have other responsibilities such as rent, food, and other bills, these also need to be considered when making your decision. Ask yourself, do you wanna owe 100k when you finish school? Im in the philly area and the adn programs are HARDER to get into than the bsn programs. So if you got a chance to become an RN for cheaper....TAKE IT! When you finish, do a bridge program and you should be done in no time.
I've heard the same regarding competitiveness also. I currently have a 3.7 cumulative with a 3.9 last sixty credits, much of which was pre-med classes heavy in the physical and biological sciences. The whole thing is a numbers game.
I've been asking myself that question, and the answer has been a resounding no, but I've had a couple nurses recommend I just go for the BSN getting the loans out an all.
And so I wonder if there is something then I don't know.
I think every nursing program (BSN, ADN) say to quit ones job and concentrate on school. I know in my ADN program, there were 2nd degree students who excelled in their other degree, but had issues with nursing (ADN) I think how one approaches studying may be different as the questions are asked in a different manner.
I think when it comes down to hiring....life experiences matter a great deal..so does networking.....I applied for 2 jobs out of school (ADN) and had 2 job offers..people liked my military background in 1 job..and the other was where my clinical instructor worked and she put in a very good word for me.....so impress at clinicals, lol And getting a part time job as a tech is a good idea as well. I'm glad I went the ADN route and then went back and did the RN to BSN online. Do some volunteering..as that looks good on a resume.....life experiences in my opinion hold a lot of water. GL
I'm not even sure I should be thinking that it's an option anymore.
I'm in almost as much debt with a prior BA and currently in the middle of an ADN program. I'd highly recommend the ADN route. As others have said, it's cheaper, allows you to work full- or part-time so you can keep your benefits, and is less stressful than an accelerated program. BSN floor nurses don't often make more, maybe $1 more an hour, so nothing substantial. When you get a hospital gig out of school, most employers offer tuition assistance/reimbursement or scholarships to help fund an ADN-BSN bridge.
If you're worried about being competitive in the job market, see if you can snag an on-call position in an ED or critical care unit as a CNA or tech to get your foot in the door.
In short, you dont need to drown yourself in further debt for a nursing career.
While I am still working the details of both the programs, I'm heavily leaning on the ADN route as i can still work in both my EMS and tutor capacities with the potential to pay for the program out of pocket. That might just be too good of a deal to turn down.
I can always pursue the BSN at a later time while working then also maintaining my overall debt load better.
I'd be getting out 8 months later with the same capacity to work as a RN with hopefully no more debt.
Go the ADN route. That is what I'm working towards. I'm waiting on a response now. You have a good job with benefits. Don't rush the process. Work full-time and take nursing classes. Once you get licensed, transition into a nursing job. If you work in a hospital, start networking now and keep your foot in the door. I plan to work per-diem/part-time while in school for my ADN. Nursing will be my second career.
Im currently in school for my ADN and here in WI jobs are still hiring associates degrees and even helping to send their RNs back for their BSN(RN shortage is huge). I will be transitioning to the BSN after I take the NCLEX and start working on my current floor.. The BSN would take me 18 months tops as a working RN, and the hospital I work for offers tuition assistance with either degree.. So I would say look into what your company offers and what would make sense for you expense and income wise. Good luck!
In the same boat. Spend $30 to $40K for BSN or spend $10K for an ADN.
I don't have an answer. Will say a BSN makes you competitive. Like you said your an RN. You can work at a place pay your loans and go for your MSN. You probably pay as much as going the ABSN route or less while achieving your ADN & MSN.
Dellrich89
27 Posts
Go for the adn. Im pretty sure cost is a factor for you so im guessing you already know the adn program is best for you right now. Yes it is longer but its more financially responsible for you to not got into more debt. Plus you can work at the same time. School is important, but if you have other responsibilities such as rent, food, and other bills, these also need to be considered when making your decision. Ask yourself, do you wanna owe 100k when you finish school? Im in the philly area and the adn programs are HARDER to get into than the bsn programs. So if you got a chance to become an RN for cheaper....TAKE IT! When you finish, do a bridge program and you should be done in no time.