Is anyone having problems deciding between AAS in Nursing versus BSN?

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I have been working as an optician for many, many years (15) and have been working towards changing careers into nursing for some months now. I am on my own and depend on only myself, so this change is a bit scary and risky for me. I will be paying for school and living expenses. The reason I am considering nursing is because of my love for working directly with people. I have done charity work throughout the years and I know deep down inside that I would enjoy the field very much and I won't have to deal with being pressured to make money..money...which is what my current job has become.

I recently applied to a few nursing programs. NYU, Wagner College, BMCC and New York City Technical College. Two of those programs are accelerated nursing programs bsn in private schools (very expensive route) and two other programs are in community colleges which would give me an associates degree in nursing. Both routes would prepare me to get my RN license. I already have a BS in Education. The acclerated programs are very expensive and would put a hole in my finances since I would need to take out loans. If I do the associate's degree route I could probably still work somewhat and not be in much debt since the tuition is much more affordable but it would take me longer to achieve my goals.

I want to study NP and that is my ultimate goal with this field. I have been taking pre-requisite courses to enter the bsn programs but I have my doubts if I should go this route due to finances. Any feedback would be highly appreciated.:redpinkhe:redpinkhe Thank you.

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I am in a program for people who already have degrees. It's through a community college. While it will take me a little longer than it would have to go through the accelerated programs around here (about 1 year longer) it would have cost me 3X as much! Ouch.

IMO if you currently have a job that you can at least keep part time, you should go with the cheaper, longer program. There aren't a lot of nursing jobs to go around right now in most areas. By the time you're done things will hopefully be looking better, and you'll not have taken on a heap of debt in the process.

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Thank you for your feedback. I might need to take the assciate's degree route. Thanks again.

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Do what is best for you, but if at all possible, do a BSN program to get it out of the way. It will cost more in the future in terms of money and time invested.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I did the ASN and I plan to start the Bridge Program right away for the RN-BSN I graduate in May and should be starting the BSN in October. It worked better for me.

I might go for my Masters eventually but right now my goal was RN and than BSN

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Hi,

I was just accepted to a community college program with a fall 2011 start. I chose to apply only to an ADN program because there are jobs available to nurses with associate's degrees in my area. If I do plan on furthering my education with a BSN, I would prefer to take advantage of tuition assistance from my (future) employer and pursue the RN-BSN.

I also have a bachelor's degree, which would affect my ability to obtain financial aid if I were to pursue another bachelor's.

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Google Kelli Space.

High debt isn't worth the risk, and I am not sure lenders are even willing to loan NYU amounts anymore.

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As others said, if you can afford a BSN program with minimal or no debt that's great. I was in the same position as you are, it was a second career for me, I wasn't eligible for an financial aid because I already had a BA, and I wasn't willing to take on student loan debt at age 30. I went the CC route with the intention of starting an RN-BSN transition program right afterwards in large because that was the cheaper route to BSN (I'm also in the NYC area and yes, NYU and Columbia ABSN are very pricey). I'm hoping I find a job afterwards with just the two-year degree, and am also hoping that employers look more favorably on me since I will be starting the RN-BSN ASAP afterwards.

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I am just going to go ahead and tell you that I recommend for you to just go ahead and pursue your BSN. I was in a AAS program for about a year before transferring to a local university. I was lucky enough to know a few nurses and speak with them about the same question. Yes hospitals do still hire nurses with their AAS degree..but..a lot of hospitals want their nurses to be in the process of obtaining their BSN, planning on obtaining their BSN very soon, or have already graduated with their BSN. The reason why is because so many hospitals are trying to achieve magnet status and so many other awards. I do know that the knowledge and level of patient care between a RN with her AAS or BSN is no different. The only true difference in the situation is that someone who has gone to nursing school for their BSN takes extra "theory" courses like research in nursing and so on. Good luck in your decision! :)

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

As someone with a previous bachelor's degree, you should consider either an accelerated BSN or a direct entry MSN program. I know that finances are a huge consideration, but if you can afford it, you would be better off to get the BSN as soon as possible because hospitals in some areas are not hiring ADNs. An ADN with a previous bachelor's degree is not equivalent to a BSN and you could find yourself having to go for the BSN anyway.

Do please check into direct entry MSN degrees. If you already know you want to be a nurse practitioner, there are programs in which you complete the basic coursework equivalent to a BSN (or in some, you can get the BSN) and then you complete graduate level coursework to become a nurse practitioner. Since you have health care experience as an optician, this might be the best route for you.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

BSN. There is legislation in 18 states and growing to make all nurses be BSN to have a license by 2020. Yes, it has been pushed before and failed. But the world is different now. It may stick this time, or get passed only to be repealed when the shortage returns (if it ever does). No matter which way you look at it, you will probably like or need a BSN eventually. Bite the bullet and do it now.

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