Right now I am a pre-nursing at my local Nashville community college, but I am making great grades, a high A (98) in my A & P, A in my First Aid & CPR, A in my chemistry, A in psychology, and a high C in math (I suck I know). I plan on studying my butt off and doing whatever it takes short of killing a man to make the grades and impress the schools so that I will hopefully have a choice of nursing school to choose from, knock on wood we'll see!
Anyways, to my point:
A relative of mine (who shall remain nameless out of respect) thinks it is okay to go to ANY college, the cheaper the better and the quicker the better. He says the degree doesn't really matter so long as it says RN, the college you go to doesn't make a difference so long as it's accredited, and really the grades don't even matter so much so long as you pass with decent ones.
I feel like I am going to be the one taking out the student loan, so I obviously have to make the final call...but I am leaning more towards a full college experience (academically speaking) at a state university, MTSU if you really wanna know. I know it will cost me a lot more in student loans because I would want to live on campus, the drive from Nashville to Murfreesboro would cost too much in gas. Plus I would be getting a BSN in the SAME amount of time it would take me to get an ASN (I already have previous college experience)!
In all I would be looking at taking out around 21k in student loans to finish out my last two years and get a BSN, that includes room and board, utilities, gas money, a meal plan, tuition, and estimated book cost.
If I chose to keep living at mom and dad's for free and try for an ASN, it would still take me two years but it would only cost about 10 to 12k.
Specializes in Peds general and ICU/Comm. Disease RN.
I have been a RN for 20ish years. I got my ADN at a CC and I have had a great career..so far...IF I want to move up to an administration, health care management type position, of course I will need my BSN. My suggestion is to get your ADN now...get a good RN job and then take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program. Let your employer pay for that BSN!
I agree with the above poster. ADN programs are cheaper but because of that are usually more competitive. Most university programs don't have a waiting list. Ask the students in both programs how they feel about them, which one has the better clinical sites, does one of them have a preceptorship while the other doesn't? Finally what's going on in your area.
For me, I went with the university because the program was easier to get into, I didn't have to worry about a waiting list or reapplying. I'll have 30K in loans when I graduate which isn't considered bad in my area and I'll be making about 70K when I get a job (I live in NYC). A lot of the big, top hospitals prefer a BSN degree or require you to be halfway completed with one by the time they hire you.
you don't mention your age or what previous college experience you have. IF under 20 and really want live on college campus experience then go for experience and bsn. If a little older go for adn If you know without a doubt you want nursing and have prerequisites done. You will eventually need bsn to move on or up ladder (like me). ADN worked for me but I am der, married and did transitional program 16 months and work paid for school
bsn more theory, my nurse manager actually loves adn grads, but encourages furthering education. I think it really boils down to really wanting to live on campus or staying at home saving money, start RN classes and you live in library anyway not the dorm:)
I went to a CC and I personally feel like I got a better RN education than the nurses who are coming out of the two local Universities. It seems like because we had to cram so much in to such a short period, we studied harder and had better clinical experiences and our nurses are better prepared than the 4 years students. I would highly advise anyone to come in a get their ADN in 2 years and later go back and get their BSN.
That being said, you state that it will take you the same amount of time (2 years) to do your ADN or your BSN. If that is truely the case, I advise you to go ahead, spend the money, and get your BSN. If you have any plans of staying in nursing, eventually you are going to want to get your BSN. And later it will cost you $15k+ to go back and get those little initials at the end of our name. So the money you are going to spend now is not only cheaper than doing it later, but also more time savings.
Remember, this is an investment in your future. Spend the money now and reap the rewards later!
Specializes in FNP, Derm Research, Critical Care, Oncol.
I am an adjunct professor for 2 nursing programs in NYC, a BSN and an ADN program.
Students from the BSN program are having an easier time finding employment. Almost 2 years post graduation from the ADN program, many students either are still unemployed or settled for any job and are quite disappointed.
While you may not even be thinking this far ahead, you need to consider your future and many promotions will look at what degree you have. Also consider that you may want to return to school and many bridge programs require that you have a BS in another subject.
Also consider that with an ADN, there most likely will come the time that you will have to return to school. If you think it is difficult now, consider sharing your time with a husband, children and other family members. Talk about STRESSFUL!!!
While I am far from well to do, if you let cost be your guiding force, you may feel cheated when you are done and looking back.
21K is quite inexpensive in NYC, unless you are at a public college. While they offer an excellent education are often very competitive and difficult to enter.
Let's hope that upon graduation you will have a job that pays a decent salary, has wonderful benefits and offers an advancing clinical ladder.
i would absolutely go to the unviersity and get your BSN. getting your associates is a waste of time most places of employment are looking for BSN nurses today. To me its worth the extra student loans for many reasons 1 you get to live on your own away from mom and dad and 2 if you get your BSN you shouldnt have much trouble paying off those loans. I wouldnt let the amount of your loans get in the way of a proper education because in the long run its all worth while! At least its not 70k in loans..thats what my sister had but she was in pharmacy school so they're mostly payed off..thats like equivalent to you paying 20k in loans!
Go for the BSN!! dont let that relative tell you otherwise and stand in your way of a greater future =)
Are you easily able to get into both schools? I already had a BA when looking into going to nursing schools. In Washington State, it is really hard to get into the 2 year programs you have to have all A's in your pre recs, and then it is a Lotto system. Here you have a much better chance of getting into 4 year or acel program. I loved out of state for 12months and did an 12mo acell BSN program for people with prior degrees. It was expresive but was done in one year.
I live in the Northeast and am a second degree student in an express program getting my BSN. I will highly recommend you get a BSN over an associates degree. More and more hospitals are looking for that degree especially in light of having to have so many BSN RN's in their organization before they can apply to become a Magnet Hospital. Down the road you may want to continue your education and specialize (like an NP)...you will need that BSN to do that. Good Luck!
Do yourself a HUGE favor and do the BSN. If you need money, work as a CNA in school and take your time to finish, but DO NOT get an ADN degree. I did the ADN with a bachelor's in another field due to financial concerns. The result now is that I cannot find a job anywhere. I cannot relocate to the east coast (where I grew up) because most facilities only accept BSN grads. Current large university hospitals here (Stanford, UCLA, etc.) are only accepting new grad applications from BSN or MSN grads.
So, I guess if you do not have plans to relocate, the ADN might be a good idea. But the experience in the field working as a CNA and the BSN now will save you time and money later. I would definitely make a different decision knowing what I know now.
squirt2008
32 Posts
I have been a RN for 20ish years. I got my ADN at a CC and I have had a great career..so far...IF I want to move up to an administration, health care management type position, of course I will need my BSN. My suggestion is to get your ADN now...get a good RN job and then take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program. Let your employer pay for that BSN!