Hi I can't decide if I should do a 2 year or a 4 year program

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi everyone!!!! I'm a 30 yo respiratory therapist and I'm very interested in going to nursing school in a year or two. I have an associates in respiratory care. I was thinking of getting my bachelors in respiratory and then applying to an accelerated BSN program and on the other hand I was thinking of just getting an ADN and then doing an RN to BSN Progtam after I work for a year or two. But then I was wondering if it would be harder for me to get a job with just an ADN. I know employers like to hire grads with BSN's, but I want to work for a while after I obtain an ADN. I just don't know what route would be easier!

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BSN RN. Hospitals are leaning more towards hiring nurses with a BSN RN.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

It really depends on your area. Some areas prefer BSN while others require BSN. I've been a ADN RN for 6+ years and have had no issues finding a job. I work in the ICU also so before someone says well you can only work this area or that area with a ADN... Just putting it out there. I'm working on my BSN now for me, not a requirement.

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I live in NC in the Charlotte area.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Do research on your geographic area (in this case the Charlotte area of NC). In the geographic area I live, almost all locations will hire an associate degree nurse though some require that you will agree to get your BSN within 5 years of being hired. For those geographic locations that are associate degree and diploma friendly, generally it is more economical to get your A.D. at a community college or through a hospital nursing program (sometimes diploma based), pass your boards, and then go to a very economical, accredited, online school for the BSN.

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If I were you (which I am not) I would go to school for the ADN and get a job. While you are working as an RN, you can go to school online for a BSN. Also, I ran into another problem when I was in a similar situation. I went back to school to be an RN and I didn't qualify for ANY financial aid because I had already earned a bachelors degree in another field. Something to think about...

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Thanks! I didn't know that! I'll go for the ADN.

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I'm in the same boat as you. I'm 33 and have been an RT for over 10years now and trying to go back to become a RN

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I'm in the same boat as you. I'm 33 and have been an RT for over 10years now and trying to go back to become a RN

I'm glad I'm not the only one! You just have your associates too?

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I'm glad I'm not the only one! You just have your associates too?

Yes I just have an associates degree unfortunately I'm in California and do not have many options as far as a bridge program or anything like that. Also the college that I received my AS degree from was a private school that did not offer labs with the science courses so I'm having to redo a lot of classes.

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I would just go straight for the BSN, I have heard several people saying they are trying to make a law that requires nurses with an ADN to get their BSN within four years. But whether or not that will really happens idk.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/24/education/changing-requirements-send-nurses-back-to-school.html?_r=0

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Specializes in ICU.
It really depends on your area. Some areas prefer BSN while others require BSN. I've been a ADN RN for 6+ years and have had no issues finding a job. I work in the ICU also so before someone says well you can only work this area or that area with a ADN... Just putting it out there. I'm working on my BSN now for me, not a requirement.

I recommend the BSN. Just in case you move. You want to make sure you have every requirement met to get the best job!

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