Help with nursing decision.

tokmom, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2011

If you can afford the BSN, then go for it. Nothing seems to guarantee a job of late, but if it comes down to an ADN or BSN, IMO, BSN would probably get the job. Of course I'm talking new grad here. I threw that in to avoid flames, lol.

Good luck

FRESH_90 · Jun 7, 2011

I wonder... will an accelerated 15 month BSN be regarded as less desirable than a regular BSN track? Thank you for answering by the way!

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2011

I did a 12 month 2nd degree program. Have you actually talked to someone in that program? they are generally extremely competitive to get into and they usually select people who have CNA experience because they don't have time to teach you basic skills. You get everything that you get in a traditional bsn program and in our case we did MORE clinical hours , That being said its very time consuming and it does not leave much time for anything else during the time your in school. Most hiring people i talked to found 2nd degree students to be desirable so i don't think it would hurt you. Good luck.

JeneraterRN · Jun 7, 2011

Here's what my experience has been: I had two bachelor degrees prior to entering my ADN program. Faster isn't always better. I found that I worked far harder at earning my ADN than my chemistry degree and still felt unprepared after graduation to be a nurse. There is so much experience that you'd receive in a BSN program that you won't get in an ADN program. If L&D and oncology is your goal, I would say go for the BSN even more so if you can. It's not easy work, but it is rewarding. By the way, I'm a firm believer in being a CNA before nursing. It teaches you skills and also teaches you to respect and help them. Good luck!

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2011

An English degree is not a particularly sought-after degree to have. I have an English degree, and so does my daughter-in-law, and neither of us ever found a job with it! I am also an RN. I had never worked in a hospital before, but went thru the ADN program, then thru the BSN program. Personally, I found the BSN to be a piece of cake compared to the ADN. I learned a whole lot more in the way of bedside nursing skills in the ADN program. The BSN is good to have, but I am only talking about the schools here. The BSN program was much more laid-back, slower paced. I doubt having an English degree will make a difference in your career path. I would go right on into the BSN program, myself.

mkjh · Jun 7, 2011

1.) Work experience is invaluable. It WILL help you land a job, esp if you continue to work while you are in school. I worked as a tech as a student and had a job offer months before graduation. Some of my classmates are still waiting to get interviews. (we graduated in april)

2.) Faster isn't better. Talk to people working in the field and see which program has better graduates and clinical experiences. Fast might just mean that you are rushed and overwhelmed the entire time.

3.) English isn't a degree that is going to get you a job in anything. About a 1/3 of the students in my ADN program had previous bachelors degrees, all of them were english, history, and pre-law programs. (I'm one of them. AA degree, BS in another field, new ADN and planning on going for a masters).

4.) Jobs depend on your area. At some of the interviews, they didn't even ask where I was in school until the very last minute of the interview. They had already made their impression and invited me for a second interview. And there is only a .05 cent pay difference, so it isn't really a big deal.

GM2RN · Jun 7, 2011

An English degree is not a particularly sought-after degree to have. I have an English degree, and so does my daughter-in-law, and neither of us ever found a job with it! I am also an RN. I had never worked in a hospital before, but went thru the ADN program, then thru the BSN program. Personally, I found the BSN to be a piece of cake compared to the ADN. I learned a whole lot more in the way of bedside nursing skills in the ADN program. The BSN is good to have, but I am only talking about the schools here. The BSN program was much more laid-back, slower paced. I doubt having an English degree will make a difference in your career path. I would go right on into the BSN program, myself.

It sounds like you got your ADN a community college, then completed the BSN. I started my nursing program at a university for my BSN and didn't get an ADN, and my program was definitely not laid-back.

iPink, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2011

I disagree with the poster who said accelerated BSN programs want applicants to have a CNA already because they don't have time to teach you. In my area, there are about 5 ABSN programs and all do NOT require CNA certification. In fact, my ABSN program said it won't help your chances of getting in. Every program is different, so definitely do your homework on the program of choice.

From reading your plan, it sounds like you are on the right track. Finish your degree, and then head into an ABSN program. This is the path many of my peers have taken. So, they still in the "studying" mentality, because ABSN programs are intense. It took me a while to adjust because I worked for several years before going back.

As far as your other question about less desirable, as far as I know in my area, NO. I'm close to being half way through my 15-month program, and many of the previous graduates I know have been offered positions, partly because of the University is very well respected.

Good luck in your journey.