Is it better to go the ASN route and then the BSN route?

[RareUnique]

I was thinking of applying for the nursing program @ the community college I'm currently attending now. I'll be finished with the prerequisites after this semester (in two weeks). My GPA is pretty good. I was also accepted into the BSN program at a private nursing school, but the price is very astronomical. People have suggested that I try for the two-year college then take my BSN online or try for less expensive school. I need suggestions. I'm eagerly hoping to start the nursing program. Thanks.

[dbabklyn]

There's no right or wrong answer to this question. It depends on the circumstances in your life, your ultimate goal, and the job market in your area. For example, I'm a second degree student and I've applied to both associate and BSN programs. If I get into a BSN program, that's where I am going regardless of the cost. My ultimate goal is to be an NP and I feel that I do not want to waste the additional time for the bridge program if I do not need to. Also, in my area, many hospitals are not hiring RNs with an associate and are looking to hire those with BSN degrees and even then, it is hard for new BSN graduates to find jobs.

Either way you will be a RN :)

Congrats on your acceptance!

[Jaynie_Marie]

I have come to realize that the answer to this question depends on your own situation and on the job market in your area. I had to face the same question a short time ago, and decided that for me the best answer was to go for the BSN program. But in my area most employers look for applicants to have a BSN; I will also be able to finish the BSN in only 1-2 semesters longer than it would take to finish the ADN (because of the waitlists), and it was my plan to eventually get a BSN anyway. So if I were you, I'd take a look at my goals and where I want to be in a few years, look at where each degree will take you towards those goals, and make your decision based upon that.

[MyMystudentRN]

honestly i would go for the BSN especially if i was already accepted, im not knowing if im going to get in the cc ADN program, why chance it? and if i do i might be put on a waiting list and by the time i get in i could possibly be done with the BSN program. However, if i did chance and got in the ADN program right away im going to go for my BSN eventually as well so why not go in the first place...decisions...decisions...but its up to you and what is going on in your life and how far you want to go in the nursing field

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

It does depend on your situation. However, in general, BSN is worse than ASN+Bridge program from a financial perspective because (1) BSN don't make much more (if any) than ASN, (2) Entry barrier to becoming a BSN after you have a RN is low: RN-to-BSN programs don't seem particularly hard to get into and they are quite cheap (estimate around $20k at school like UMass and less if you already have a BS in another field), and finally (3) BSN costs a lot more! If you're going for a traditional 3-4 year BSN. You'll be paying $3k for a general ed class like "sociology" when you can take that for $700 at a community college.

The debate on ASN vs BSN in terms of employability has been around for a long time, and everyone seems to have a different opinion. My view is that, any advantage a BSN has can be equalized within a year or two through a bridge program. On the other hand, the risks and contraints of carrying a huge loan (student loan is among the worst type of loans) make the BSN option unattractive for me.