Hi GUYS! I'm new and I have a question!

xokelly2 · Jan 20, 2006

Welcome.....

I sent you a private message.....

Goodluck!

weetziebat · Jan 20, 2006

Hi Gwen,

Welcome to Allnurses! Its a fantastic site and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

As for your question. Some hospitals pay a bit more to nurses with a BSN rather than an ASN, but I think the major reason to get a BSN would be if you are interested in ever going into a management position.

When you are young sometimes its easy to say you are not interested in that, but as you get older, and more and more tired of running your feet off, management or going on for a Master's Degree may look more appealing. So for that reason you may want to get a BSN if you can now, rather than having to go back for it later.

Good luck!

Trauma Columnist · Jan 20, 2006

Hi and welcome. While it is true that most hospitals don't pay extra for a BSN, there may come a time when you want more opportunities and believe me, it is much easier to move to different types of nursing jobs with a BSN. Floor and unit work is physically (and mentally) very demanding. While in the beginning of your nursing career, you say "no way would I go into management or teaching or anything else," life has a way of happening. Sometimes later on down on the line, you might not be as healthy as you are now, you might have children that you want to spend more time with, you might have a sick husband or child, or you might become ill or injured yourself. It is best to leave open as many options as possible.

I went into nursing in my early 30's with two small children and a husband overseas. I did the LPN, then ADN route. About 10 years into my career, I realized that I wanted more options...so back to school I went. You will never be wrong with more education.

Good luck with your decision.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2006

Good answer above. Often people take three years or more to get an ADN because there's pre-req courses they require, so in most cases the BSN is only a year longer. If you have the opportunity to get your BSN, I suggest you take it and get it out of the way. The benefits may be later on down the road.

I work in an area where ADNs are the primary care providers at the bedside but they tend to hire BSNs and MSN for any other positions such as case managers, educators, management, etc. I've been at the bedside for 14 years here and I'm happy and making excellent money. Realistically I have 20 to 25 more years left to work, and I'm not sure at the age of 60 or 65 I still want to be or will be capable of doing this, so I'm doing an RN to BSN program to have options later on.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 20, 2006

Tweety - I so agree with you. I love bedside nursing and still do it prn, but to have other choices and be able to do it when I can, is such a relief. I've known several other nurses who have had injuries who have had great difficulty obtaining a job in nursing without a BSN after an injury.

NaomieRN · Jan 20, 2006

Hello and welcome to allnurses.