My situtation (adn vs. bsn)

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Apr 25, 2011

I'm not sure what your financial or living situation is but if you need a job like now I would go for ADN first while pursing BSN or MSN.

If you are able to stay at home and focus on school, go for BSN. I would look for a college/university that has a commendable nclex passing rate. Graduating with a RN degree is great but will the school prepare you to sit for nclex.

It also depends on what you can afford also. Good luck and keep us posted.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2011

If you plan on going for your master's then why even consider doing the ADN path? It's silly because then you have to think about meeting requirements and getting accepted to a adn program, then all over again to BSN-MS, or over again to MSN. Seems much longer that way since the ADN is usually cheaper but for me the time is exactly the same so teh choice was easy. If you want there is a whole section on this, just go to the Nurses tab and when you click on it scroll downa nd you will find it. Good Luck

havehope · Apr 25, 2011

NurseLoveJoy88-Thanks for your reply! My mom and dad say they will pay for wherever I want to go but im waying my options because i'd like to start paying for it once I graduated. My mom also does not want me to work during school (thank goodness!) I'm leaning toward the BSN more, but I thought I would ask you all because everyone at my high school that i'm graduating with is going to the ADN program...not sure why.

Thank you again for your advice!

tmow86 · Apr 25, 2011

I start my ADN program in June. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. I have talked to several RN's that I work with and they all praise the ADN programs because you get so much more clinical hours and the new grads are way more prepared than a BSN grad. Just what I have heard, I have no experience yet to make the judgement myself. Just figured I'd throw out to you what was thrown out to me! Good luck!

Mezabeth · Apr 25, 2011

I'm sure it really depends on the schools.. here where I live the ADN program is more highly praised by many more in the hospitals around here than our local BSN program. Also the ADN program has a higher nclex pass rate. The other and biggest reason for me why I chose that is it is less credits to deal with per semester and since I also have 4 children that was important. Now if I didn't have kids I would probably end up going the bsn route. Every person has to look at their own situation and then try to make the best decision they can. GL!

bhanson · Apr 25, 2011

NurseLoveJoy88-Thanks for your reply! My mom and dad say they will pay for wherever I want to go but im waying my options because i'd like to start paying for it once I graduated. My mom also does not want me to work during school (thank goodness!) I'm leaning toward the BSN more, but I thought I would ask you all because everyone at my high school that i'm graduating with is going to the ADN program...not sure why.
Thank you again for your advice!

If your school is paid for, you don't have to work, and you plan to go on to higher education then you should do your BSN right now.

People choose ADN because it is cheaper, you start working faster, and it fits better for non-traditional students. A great percentage of nursing students on this board are non-trads. You sound like you're still in high school and have supportive parents, this puts you in a situation to rocket ahead in your education.

Many people try to do nursing school with babies and full-time jobs which makes it much more difficult than it already is. When you're in a situation where you have to work or you have a family then your priorities change and by default school is not your first priority. You have an opportunity to literally only do school which most of your peers do not. My advise is to take advantage of this situation and become a superstar.

Also, don't get pregnant while in school.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2011

I start my ADN program in June. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. I have talked to several RN's that I work with and they all praise the ADN programs because you get so much more clinical hours and the new grads are way more prepared than a BSN grad. Just what I have heard, I have no experience yet to make the judgement myself. Just figured I'd throw out to you what was thrown out to me! Good luck!

Seriously does someone always have to go there?? No maybe wherever you live that is the rare case but every other school I know of has as many, if not more, clinical hours. I also find it amusing that you are a to be nursing student but also a hiring agent and know that you the BSN students are so much less prepared with their as many clinical hours, upper level courses and more courses then their counter-part, and higher degree.

Really, you rarely see BSN students putting down ADN programs but everytime this subject comes up someone wants to say something crazy about how their specific ADN program is so wonderful and blah blahhhhh:devil:

tmow86 · Apr 25, 2011

Seriously does someone always have to go there?? No maybe wherever you live that is the rare case but every other school I know of has as many, if not more, clinical hours. I also find it amusing that you are a to be nursing student but also a hiring agent and know that you the BSN students are so much less prepared with their as many clinical hours, upper level courses and more courses then their counter-part, and higher degree.
Really, you rarely see BSN students putting down ADN programs but everytime this subject comes up someone wants to say something crazy about how their specific ADN program is so wonderful and blah blahhhhh:devil:

I did not mean to offend anyone by what I said. I am sorry that I seemed to do that with you. We all work hard in the school work that we do no matter what degree we choose.

I did mention that i was just repeating what I was told. I did not pretend to know that it was accurate but it just made sense to me.

tmow86 · Apr 25, 2011

I did not mean to offend anyone by what I said. I am sorry that I seemed to do that with you. We all work hard in the school work that we do no matter what degree we choose.
I did mention that i was just repeating what I was told. I did not pretend to know that it was accurate but it just made sense to me.

and I am not putting down the BSN, I just think the ADN would be a great place to start. I plan on obtaining my BSN afterwards.

dgolden · Apr 25, 2011

I think you should apply to ALL programs that interest you! Nursing school is very competitive these days, and having a nice list of schools is always helpful. Go to many different open houses or sessions if available and see which program appeals to you. Both ADN and BSN have their strong points, and even their weaknesses. An open mind is a great thing to have when you are applying among a competitive pool. I chose a BSN because it fit my situation best, but make no mistake had ADN programs on my list :)

One thing I just wanted to point out, is that there is an track now at many schools where you can go from an RN (ADN) to a MSN without the BSN. Of course, there are also RN-BSN-MSN programs, but just wanted to clear that up.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Shantik86 · Apr 25, 2011

This may or may not help you...

I am going for my RN, but want a Masters eventually also. The RN program where I live is great also, and much cheaper than the BSN. While they still have elective courses, you probably will not get the religious education you would like. What I would do is get my ADN, start working in the field, and get tuition assitance from the hospital you're in for your BSN. That way you can have a good job sooner, gain experience sooner, and finish the BSN degree, hopefully, in a fast-track program. As far as the other classes go, go to a smaller college and get a minor. Educational opportunities are everywhere! Great luck to you :)