Is it best to get BSN as opposed to ADN for second degree?

tiffmh1987 · Jan 3, 2009

An RN is an RN. A bachelor's degree opens the door to management type positions, but I have asked myself that same question. I have an associate degree and work in critical care, as do many of the nurses I work with that have been nurses for years, and don't plan on advancing at all. A registered nurse cake tastes the same whether its made with two cups of ADN or four cups of BSN. If you want to advance later on in the future, having a BSN would take less time: for example, to a nurse anesthetist. The schooling isn't any easier. But in a community college with an ADN, you will probably get more time with instructors. Think about it. :)

truern · Jan 3, 2009

A registered nurse cake tastes the same whether its made with two cups of ADN or four cups of BSN.

I like your analogy!! :-)

OP, you're as likely to find a job with your ADN as with a BSN...just depends on where you'd like to end up.

scadams29 · Jan 3, 2009

I'm a second degree student also. and just graduated this December. I opted for the BSN. I knew that I wanted to go for an advanced degree in nursing and when I started there were not too many direct entry MSN programs for non-nursing Bachelor degrees. I suggest if you know you are going to pursue a higher degree, skip both the ADN and the BSN. Look into one of these programs- you can obtain more scholarships and grants for master/PhD preparation and you receive the degree in less time than if you would pursue a BSN and then an advanced degree. Whatever you decide, nursing is a wonderful field. Best wishes.

Becca2theresq · Jan 3, 2009

Thanks for the advice everyone! I can't decide if I want to do anything more advanced then RN, so it's probably best if I just get that under my belt first then decide. My main thing is that I really don't want to incur anymore debt than I already have.

Tiffmh I love the cake analogy!

**CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jan 3, 2009

I'm opting for BSN (starting in 12 weeks!), primarily because I can graduate in one year, vs two for most ADN programs. Plus, I think ADN programs can be harder to get into because there is more competition for the less expensive programs (as well as those with less requirements - like a bachelor's). My school isn't cheap, but I think it was the best choice for me, if for no other reason than I don't think I would have been accepted to other programs (my GPA wasn't so great). I can't say for sure, as I didn't apply.

In the end, I think the RN-BSN courses are readily available, and many are online. So, getting your BSN later won't be a huge PITA.

Just do yourself a favor. Make your decision based on what you think is best for yourself, and don't regret it later, regardless. Life's too short for regrets.

Good luck!

pooshx2 · Jan 4, 2009

this is a decision that i struggled with too. i have a ba and ma in another field. what ultimately made my decision was when i applied to an adn and bsn program in my community the adn started in jan and the bsn didn't begin until june. i was secretly hoping to only get in to one so that i wouldn't have to make a decision, but getting through my adn with no debt was a wonderful thing!!! i also was able to get scholarships for every semester but my first (which i didn't apply for any) which helped tremendously. i have worked for a hospital the entire time i was in school and they also did tuition reimbursement, but they don't pay you until the end of the semester when you receive a passing grade, but that $ helped pay for the upcoming semester. books were the biggest up front expense i encountered. i have already enrolled in a rn to bsn program and with only one class at a time, will be done in 18 months while working full time. i feel that this was the best for me, you have to decide :innerconf what will be best for you though which is the hard part. good luck to you!

~erica

caliotter3 · Jan 4, 2009

If it is at all possible, try to get the BSN now. Once you have the BSN, you need not worry about going back for it in the future or advancing further, education-wise if you don't care to. The amount of money and time that you use pursuing the ASN could just as easily count toward the BSN. And once it is done, it is done. I have found that by putting things off in this arena, it is just so much harder getting it done down the road. You never know what stumbling blocks life might put in your way that are not there now. JMO

nursesail · Jan 7, 2009

I had a BA in something else when I went to nursing school. I went ADN. I am glad I did because I feel I got more clinical experience than I would have for BSN. I am now working on my MSN. I took an RN-MSN bridge. I only had to take 3 BSN bridges to prepare me. I did not see that it added all that much knowledge to my ADN. I learned a little more about nursing theory, how to read research, and how to do a care plan for a family, which I was already doing before the class anyway because of my work as a hospice home-health nurse.n Get your ADN, then bridge over to MSN later.:wink2:

Becca2theresq · Jan 7, 2009

Thanks so much for the info nursesail, I didn't even think about doing RN-MSN. I think my mind is made up.