Need advice. ADN or BSN. Pls help!

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Hi All,

I'm in a bit of a dilemma and would like some advice. :) So, I've applied to numerous schools since 2008 and have been rejected time after time to RN programs. Out of nowhere this year, I have two options! I've got into an RN program at a well known city college with a nursing department with a good reputation. The problem is, I have my AA and I've always wanted my bachelors! A CC will not grant me a bachelors. The upside is that it's close to home (about 15 minutes) and very cheap. I got into this school totally unexpectedly (lottery with about 1000 applicants and I pretty much had NO hope of being selected and did!)

At the SAME time, I was already planning to move out of state for a BSN program that contacted me for an interview. My interview is coming up the SAME WEEK as the DEADLINE for me to make a decision for the CC. (I've been told by someone on the interview panel that the interview is a breeze and you really need to mess up in order to not get in.) The upside to the BSN program is that its a year and a half (verses the city college one at 2 years.) and I would get my bachelors! (finally!) The downfall is that tution is $45,000 plus living expenses (rent, food, transportation, bills, etc.) They can cover my tuition in a loan but I'd have to carry out a private loan for living expenses. I've had a roomate set up and was mentally preparing myself for the move!

I'm so confused. I know that I can do an RN to BSN program if i decided to go to the city college. However, does anybody know if these are just as impacted as all programs? Are there online programs that are legit? And , has anybody tried this while working? Was it difficult to work and do an RN to BSN concurrently? i want my BSN because I would like to eventually work in leadership. :)

I think the most practical thing for me to do is to go to the city college since I live close to it and it's cheap. But that BSN i want soo badly! Is it worth the $45,000+ @ the other program? Anyone input from any current RNs with ADNs or BSNs? Are you happy with what you have? If you took large loans, do you regret that?

ALSO, I'D REALLY LOVE to find out if this is true- I've heard that hospitals will eventually only hire RNs with BSNs. Does anybody know about this or has anyone heard anything about this?

Any answers or advice help. I have only a week to decide and need to make a decision soon ...so I know whether i should cancel my flight out of state or not. Help? Thank you!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Cardiology, Geriatrics.

I seriously regret not getting the BSN, so I am enrolled in an online RN-BSN program. In the Chicago area, the larger (more desirable) hospitals are really not hiring RNs who don't have BSNs anymore. It's a trend that is spreading around the country, especially at hospitals that have or are pursuing Magnet status.

If you get the ADN, you can get your BSN online while working. Lots of people have done it successfully. Do your research well before choosing a school. Most private online RN-BSN programs will take about a year and cost about $21,000. This could be a more affordable way for you to go, but be prepared to work in LTC until you get your BSN if the hospitals in your area catch up with the BSN-only trend.

Good luck! Let us know what you decide to do.

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Congrats on having both options at the same time. I have an adn and have never had a problem getting a job or changing jobs. I don't however work in " leadership". If that is the route you want to take you will need the b s n . You will still hopefully want nursing experience before you head into management. The hospitals and agencies I have worked for in the past twelve years haven't paid more hourly for the b s n. It is part of the puzzle if you know you will get your masters. Good luck with what ever you decide. Keep us posted. You sound like you want the b s n program more. I always excelled when I wanted something badly . ( just my experience, hope it helps) :nurse:

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Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.

Hi. I went directly into a BSN program and have never regretted it. I already had so many credit hours, it would not have made sense to get an ADN. I would have always felt that I "settled" for the AS degree. I get that feeling from you. And since you want to advance, it will be needed. Re: online RN-BSN programs, I never have thought that they are as good as regular, traditional instruction. They may be utilitarian in the sense they get you to where you want to be, but there is NO substitute for having a professor standing in front of you, explaining things and having the ability to stop and ask questions. You cannot put a price on those dynamics. The marketplace is getting more and more competitive, and hospitals, when given the choice will opt for the BS degrees. In fact, I looked at one employment board at a teaching institution and it explicitly stated that graduates of online programs would not be considered for employment. I am sure more will follow. AND do not let ANYONE tell you that bunk about how BS graduates only know how to do paperwork better than ADN's. I have heard that soooo many times...what a bunch of crap. BS programs have much more in the way of understanding the physiology and pathphysiology behind the disease processes, and have more time to practice clinical skills. (But of course, all studies show, ultimately it depends on the individual graduate.) Also, much of it depends on the area that you live in...if you live in a large metropolitan area with teaching hospitals, etc. the the BS will definitely be an advantage. Not so much if you live in smaller communities that do not have BS programs nearby. If you have made the plans and can afford it, GO FOR IT. This is a one time opportunity- you can always hope that you get hired by a hospital that has tuition reimbursement. Also, just FYI...there is an organization that loans only to students entering their last semester of a bachelors program, and it is interest free. It is the Hattie M. Strong Foundation. It looks like they have their own issues with funding right now, but they have been around a long time. Good luck. Let all of us know what you decide! Enjoy the journey....

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I say go to the City College ... then get your BSN later, paid for by your employer. There are lots of decent online BSN options.

If the BSN program were less expensive, more convenient, close to home, etc., I would say "go for the BSN" from the beginning, because you will want it in the long run. However, in your particular case, the BSN is not a sure thing, it is VERY expensive and will put you in serious debt for many years. That's really bad -- and not necessary.

Do your education in stages and you will be working as an RN in a little over 2 years. Your employer will help pay for the BSN expense and you will be done within 4 or 5 years -- with very litte debt burden. You'll have a better life. The short delay in getting the BSN will save you tens of thousands of dollars and help you avoid a lifetime of financial trouble. But in a couple of years, you will have an equivalent education and equivalent career opportunities.

llg, PhD, RN

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ALSO, I'D REALLY LOVE to find out if this is true- I've heard that hospitals will eventually only hire RNs with BSNs. Does anybody know about this or has anyone heard anything about this?

not gonna happen on a large scale any time soon. most nurses are adn and diploma, not bsn. health care is a biz in this country, even bigger biz after obama care. biz wants the cheapest possible labor to turn profits, going bsn's only will make turning profits harder. the countries that req a min bsn for nurses generally have nationalized health care, not the case in the USA even after obama care.

generally, all bsn's have is more general ed college level courses.

most places don't pay a bsn anymore than they pay a adn for the same job, if there is a difference it's 1 or 2 dollars.

there are more jobs if you have a bsn, some government and doc office jobs req bsn.

i've seen diploma, adn and bsn nurses in management.

a msn is what you want, if you really want to be in nursing management.

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I just received my 2 year degree and am looking for a job. If I had gone the BSN route I would have another year or more before I could start earning money. I am enrolled in a BSN program now but I already have my license and can start getting my on the job experience. My 2 year degree was less than 1/3 per semester than the cost of the 4 year school. When you graduate as a BSN nurse you will probably spend your first year or two working right along side 2 year degree nurses at the same pay anyway. IMHO this is the most inexpensive and way to go and your on the floor with your license in 2 years and continue to your BSN at your own pace.

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Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.
I just received my 2 year degree and am looking for a job. If I had gone the BSN route I would have another year or more before I could start earning money. I am enrolled in a BSN program now but I already have my license and can start getting my on the job experience. My 2 year degree was less than 1/3 per semester than the cost of the 4 year school. When you graduate as a BSN nurse you will probably spend your first year or two working right along side 2 year degree nurses at the same pay anyway. IMHO this is the most inexpensive and way to go and your on the floor with your license in 2 years and continue to your BSN at your own pace.

I am interested...since I have read so much about the problems new grads are having finding jobs. Have you begun your application process yet? If so, were there any situations in which you feel that if you had your BS in Nursing already that you might have obtained the job? Have HR people mentioned/asked about whether you are pursuing your BSN ? Just curious. So many posts have been made about the difficulty in the job market right now.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Cardiology, Geriatrics.

Many hospital job boards around here state in the postings that a BSN is required. No, BSNs don't make more than ADNs as new grads, or they don't make much more. When I graduated in 2006, the pay difference was about 50 cents. You have the same license, you do the exact same job. The only difference now is that more hospitals are trying to get Magnet status, and BSN-prepared nurses are a big part of that. I've even seen positions that look for an MSN (at the bedside)! Smaller, community hospitals don't seem to care, but they want experience, so that can be a challenge for a new grad! You need to do what's right for you, though. If you can afford a BSN, you should get it, especially since that is what you seem to really want. I don't know where you live, so I don't know what the job situation is there. You should check the job listings in the area you are hoping to work, and see what the requirements are. That might help you make your decision.

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I am currently looking for my first position and the majority of the jobs I've seen have an emphasis on "experience" above all else.

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It sounds like you really want your BSN so go for it, well worth it. I received my ADN and then returned to BSN program online while working full-time. There are some great online programs and believe me your not missing out on anything. I also believe that a four year degree is going to be required as the entry level for nurses.

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What do you decide to go for? I am basically in the EXACT same situation and keep changing my mind everyday on what I want to do!

Thanks!

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