Is it safe to start out with an ADN?

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jun 7, 2009

I have precepted BSNs and they have NEVER been prepared for the actually bedside nursing as well as the ADN.

I really can't believe you said that.....wow. What an ugly slam.

I too have precepted ADN and BSN grads, and I really can never tell the difference.

RNS5 · Jun 7, 2009

Thank you for the reassurance. My thoughts are the same as yours (since I am 38 now!)--just need to get my ADN and start working. I may decide to get my BSN later--but I am not very interested in a manager's position at this time. Good luck to you with your new career!!!

Castymiss · Jun 7, 2009

Yes the BSN DOES give you more options. I was an ADN nurse for 17 years and went back and obtained my BSN. Took me 3 years part time. You can still work and attend school. It is one day a week for 3 years. Able to do the school and work full time. Look into some of these programs. They are out there. Part time RN to BSN programs.

shodobe · Jun 7, 2009

31 years as an ADN and have no reason or desire to go after a BSN. I have decided I don't want to take a pay cut to further my education. Now, after saying that I would in this day of nursing encourage everyone to get their BSN as a minimum and probably their MSN later. Why? I think I see a change in trends down the road and with the influx of nursing students coming out of schools, employers might use this as a deciding factor in hiring "new" grads. A little discrimantory but just another bit of an edge. This might take years to pull off across the country, some hospitals are already using this, but it could be the future for nursing. Nurses with many years of experience, me included, shouldn't need to worry about this because experience trumps degrees everytime. I would get my ADN and let my employer help with my BSN. Some hospitals are cutting this benefit, so take advantage now.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Jun 7, 2009

My ADN has served me well. I've been an RN for 23 years, and I have no desire to go into management.

There were no BSN programs where I lived as a single mom, so that was not a factor. Pay is the same at our hospital, and our boss was hired with an ADN, with the agreement that she would get her BSN asap. The hospital does pay for tuition if you want to get further education.

Castymiss · Jun 8, 2009

That is a pretty bad slam. I have worked as an RN with an ADN AND a BSN degree and really there is not much difference in the job I do with either degree. The BSN will help if I wish to go into management. Maybe the ADN might have a ver slight edge on bedside nursing since the BSN student has a little more theory. But that is about it. A smart nurse either ADN or BSN can figure out the floor pretty quick

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 8, 2009

i am adn prepared. i work full-time as a rn on the floors with new grad adn and bsn prepared nurses. every new grad on the floor acts the same. some know more or are better skilled then others because of work related backgrounds... i.e. a former cna and/or a former nurse extern ... however, the clueless adn or bsn new grad can pick up skills and training if he/she puts in the extra time and effort. otherwise, the time frame to get up to speed is greater and noticeable many months later.

by the way, the two new grads on my floor who are bsn prepared are in debt up to their necks and they make the same pay as me. i have past student loans from other degrees, which is why i was and am adamant about paying cash and getting scholarships to pay for my nursing degrees. currently, i am in a pt rn-bsn program where my employer gives the option to pay for my entire degree or part of it. i do not plan to remain with this employer longer then another 2 more years so i took the partial scholarship that i do not have to pay back or work more time. the rest of my education that is not being covered by my employer i pay cash using my full-time nursing pay check. thus to answer your question, yes it is safe and financially responsible to start out with an adn!

RNS5 · Jun 9, 2009

That is a pretty bad slam. I have worked as an RN with an ADN AND a BSN degree and really there is not much difference in the job I do with either degree. The BSN will help if I wish to go into management. Maybe the ADN might have a ver slight edge on bedside nursing since the BSN student has a little more theory. But that is about it. A smart nurse either ADN or BSN can figure out the floor pretty quick

This question was in no way intended to be a "slam" to anyone. It is an innocent question--I am just looking for input from experienced nurses to figure out which program I should attend--ADN or BSN because quite simply I was not sure. Thank you for your help and I am sorry if anyone has taken my question as an insult. It surely was not meant to be insulting. By the way--I have chosen the ADN program. :)

Castymiss · Jun 9, 2009

I also paid CASH for my BSN degree. I did not want to take out loans or owe any money when I was done. My employer did have tuition reimbursments that I did take advantage of. They paid 3,000.00 a year. I was in an RN to BSN program and have to tell you that I only had to pay a very small amout out of my own paychecks. My mom also bought all my books so that helped a lot..LOL. The RN to BSN is a great way to advance and get your degree. It is usually ONE day a week taking 2 classes a semester for a total of 6 units. Very do able when working full time.

priznrn135 · Jun 10, 2009

It's not a slam, it's my experience. I don't know where you're from, but the BSN programs around me aren't better than the ADN programs at all. Again, this is what I know. Chill out.

Castymiss · Jun 11, 2009

UM...Chill out from what?

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 12, 2009

I actually started out by reading the title of this thread and was very offended, is it safe? really? YES!! In many places there is NO difference in working with bsn vs adn. there is not any reason to ever think that its not safe. i think that maybe you need to do some more research.

-H-RN