High School - ASN/BSN

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 19, 2016

You can go straight to a BSN as an entry level degree. There are some things a potential student needs to research when considering options for schools:

What is the job market? Are job postings stating BSN required or preferred? Are there a lot of job postings in the area or will you potentially need to relocate? If relocation may be necessary, also research potential areas to move to.

What is is the cost of the school's tuition? The more expensive the school, the more that may need to be borrowed and the more interest that will accrue. General rule of thumb that I've been told- don't borrow more than you can realistically expect to earn in your first year on the job.

What is the school's reputation? Do graduates find nursing jobs within a year of graduating?

What is the school's NCLEX pass rate, completion rate, and other statistics that you should be able to find?

GM2RN · Oct 19, 2016

I agree with the above comment, but to answer your question, the ADN is the cheaper route. That said, you do need to consider the area in which you are hoping to practice and whether or not they are likely to require a BSN as well as the other factors that the above commenter pointed out.

NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2016

Cheapest route is ADN, start working and do an RN-BSN bridge online while you work as a nurse, and let your employer pay for it through tuition reimbursement.

Amberjones · Oct 19, 2016

What would be the expected annual pay after the first year of working as an RN once out of college?

GM2RN · Oct 19, 2016

What would be the expected annual pay after the first year of working as an RN once out of college?

This varies GREATLY depending on the region in which you practice. There are threads on her that where nurses have listed exactly what they are making in different states. Also if you post here what state you will practice in someone might be able to address that for you.

Trauma Columnist · Oct 20, 2016

Moved to prenursing

makeuplover2, ADN, RN · Oct 20, 2016

Hey, I really like this forum!

So here are a few things,

If you'll need to do two years of prerequisites out of highschool to apply to an ADN program which will take two years of nursing courses after prerequisites, then you might as well do a BSN right? Because, it will still be two years of prerequisites, then you apply to the BSN program for another two years.

On the other hand, out of high school I started my ADN program because I did some of the prerequisites, and in the program that I got into, you do the remaining prerequisites while in the program (Chemistry, an Anatomy Placement, and English were required to apply). I plan to do my BSN after graduation.

So, instead of taking four years to do an associates degree, I'm taking two.

If you want to do your BSN straight without getting an ADN, you can always complete the prerequisite courses at a community college, then transfer to a University to Complete your BSN. This way, you can save money for the first two years that you complete courses at the community college. It all depends.

But if the years and stuff isn't a problem for you, then getting your ADN will be cheaper. But, now most hospitals want nurses to be getting their BSN while working, or have it already. But, there are definitely jobs for ADNs.

I hope this helps!

Amberjones · Oct 20, 2016

Hey, I really like this forum!
So here are a few things,
If you'll need to do two years of prerequisites out of highschool to apply to an ADN program which will take two years of nursing courses after prerequisites, then you might as well do a BSN right? Because, it will still be two years of prerequisites, then you apply to the BSN program for another two years.
On the other hand, out of high school I started my ADN program because I did some of the prerequisites, and in the program that I got into, you do the remaining prerequisites while in the program (Chemistry, an Anatomy Placement, and English were required to apply). I plan to do my BSN after graduation.
So, instead of taking four years to do an associates degree, I'm taking two.
If you want to do your BSN straight without getting an ADN, you can always complete the prerequisite courses at a community college, then transfer to a University to Complete your BSN. This way, you can save money for the first two years that you complete courses at the community college. It all depends.
But if the years and stuff isn't a problem for you, then getting your ADN will be cheaper. But, now most hospitals want nurses to be getting their BSN while working, or have it already. But, there are definitely jobs for ADNs.
I hope this helps!

What program was it? I'd definitely be interested in a program that offers pre reqs and the ADN

Thank you!