Need some advice ADN vs BSN

[momof2divas]

So I have applied to a ADN nursing program waiting to get in and I spoke with a friend of mine who is a ADN nurse. She informed me that a lot of hospitals are trying to get magnet status( can someone please explain) and they want RNs to have their BSN. Should I just go ahead and get my BSN instead of the ADN? I thought I would get my ADN and work for a 1-2 yrs and go back and do the RN-BSN track. Need a little advice on this?? And an explanation on magnet hospitals???? Thanks

[Woodenpug, BSN]

Something small. Several threads here talk about both adn vs bsn and Magnet status. Search all nurses.

Good info about Magnet status is from the horse's mouth

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Magnet.aspx

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

magnet status means the hospital is trying to do things to attract good professionals who in turn attract patients. Your plan depends on your finances at present. BSN does not take much longer and will serve you well. ADN still gets you a job, and you can return to school later to finish, if you are motivated. In my area the BSN nurses are paid more per hour as well and we have no magnet hospitals within 150miles

[AZSamiLPN]

I applied for and got into an ADN program. I had planned on getting my ADN and work those student loans down before applying for a BSN program. Now, I kinda wished I had done the BSN route because I would be done by now. I guess it depends on your situation, both financially and with your family. I have 4 kids and a husband, so taking a few classes at a time seemed to work out better for us. I'm also told that you have an advanced placement when you go back to school to get your BSN and don't necessarily have to start back at the beginning.

[VolMom]

Where I work, there is no pay difference in ADN vs. BSN nurses. I went back to school for RN-to-BSN, and got zero pay increase. Our hospital HR manager says that ADNs serve them just as well as BSNs, so they will not pay more because there is no need to. How sad is that?

Anyway, I would recommend going on and getting your BSN if you want to be employed at a magnet hospital that requires it, if you intend to obtain your MSN in the future, or if you want a job that usually prefers BSN-prepared nurses (case management, home care, management, staff education, etc...), and if your financial status allows you to go ahead & pursue it. I personally obtained my ADN first at the age of 20, with the intention of going back within 1-2 to years, and continuing until I had my Masters. Here it is, 18 years later, and I just finished my BSN last year. Once I started making a decent amount of income, it was hard to slow down and go back to school. I would write down the pros and cons of each and weigh them for yourself. Best wishes to you! :redpinkhe

[momof2divas]

Thanks you all for your insight! My husband feels I should just go for the BSN. I am still waiting to see if I got accepted into the ADN program. If I don't I will pursue my BSN.