Needs HONEST answer, huge dillema!

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jan 10, 2005

Mod note: PLEASE let's not turn this into an ADN vs. BSN thread (the snippy kind.) Thanks :).

PhoenixGirl · Jan 10, 2005

I have speant hundreds of hours since then looking for an honest answer and an honest person. Can somebody please tell me which is the right route?

The right route, and the right answer is only for you to decide. Everyone chooses different programs for different reasons. I chose an ADN program because I want the fastest route to be an RN. I then want to work and slowly do a BSN and try for employer tuition reimbursement as that BSN degree will be more expensive.

Well, if the AS program is so great and wonderful, than why would you even WANT to get a BA.

Eventually I would like to go to grad school when my kids are older. I need a Bachelors for that. I also like that BA's have more opportunity for advancement. In my area, it is also easier to get into a bridge program than the BSN program. I'd be waiting longer to get into ASU's BSN program, plus it's more competitive because of seating...whereas the ADN program in my county is VERY good & easier for me to get into.

I want to know, if I get a AS degree will I find a good job?

Where I live (phoenix) i've been told the As is very marketable, and they make good money. If you are in Cali, I hear it's the same way.

And money is no option for me, neither is time. I am only 18, so I have plenty of time. I just want to get a GOOD job, and not be stuck with a useless degree.

An ADN is not a useless degree. It is in high demand in many areas. Although if you think it is useless than I would say you have already answered your own question. And I can't really give you an unbiased opinion, only tell you what I would do. If I didn't have kids, and had way more time to dedicate to school, I'd certainly go with the BSN first. Just to get it out of the way. But since I have kids, and the CC program is much closer to my house, the daycare is right across the street, and it's much cheaper, that is what I'm going with.

Rebecca

ZootRN · Jan 10, 2005

I was dealing with the same dilemma, and turned down BSN program just this morning. Reasons: I finished my first semester of AS already with 4.0 GPA, and university does not transfer what they called lower division classes. Money - university is expensive. Time - I'll be graduating 6 months later. Commute - 1-1.5 hour away vs 35 minutes I'm making now. I hold BA in another field, so I decided to graduate with my AS and go for RN-MSN bridge program. Also I hope, my future employer will pay for it.

It was a tough decision for me, but I made it. For you, of course, reasons can be different. Nobody will make a decision for you. Good luck with whatever you choose!

actioncat · Jan 10, 2005

I wouldn't worry about things like clinical hours and nursing classes - of course those things will vary a little bit. But those will always vary from school to school, whether the programs are BSN or ADN. The biggest difference is that with the BSN you're going to have a more rounded education that includes much more than nursing and science classes. When I went to college, I wanted to get right to the nursing classes, too, but now that I look back I'm thankful I did choose the BSN route. I have a minor in psychology, took a half dozen mind-twisting philosophy and theology classes, read some amazing literature, and dabbled in some minor computer programming. Probably the most interesting class I took in school was this history course that focused on the history of science - everything from the Plague to pasturization to antibiotics to nuclear weapons.
Look at the big picture, and go with your gut feeling.

Oh Gompers! what a lovely post to read! I get so tired of hearing people talk about "useless" classes. It is nice to see that some people do value learning for learning's sake. I agree, I took a history of science class a long time ago and it was excellent (although it does make me cringe when I hear the word "paradigm" thrown around all the time now!)

dave1117 · Jan 10, 2005

And money and time are no problem at all go to a 4 year university, live at school, drink the beer, have casual (protected) sex:p with the ones you love and have fun for a few years ...While studying of course.

This is the second time through school for me and I would not trade the 4 years away at colege for anything in the world. It was a great experience. The rest of your life awaits you and it will be there 2 or 4 years from now.

As far as education, if you have any desire to move on into management later on in life, which you obviously can not even imagine yet, than a BSN moving on to an MSN will be completely necesary unless you work in a nursing home.

Since life will quickly move on for you after school I say have fun, enjoy life and go to the university...

And that is my honest and sincere opinion.

Good luck...dave :)

futureforensicRN · Jan 10, 2005

Hi, I was faced with the same issue, BSN vs ADN...however for me I just realized that I wanted to be a nurse at 21, my junior year at a 4 year university. If only I would have known I wanted to be a nurse earlier. But now, next fall I am going to enroll in a community college, and am going to attend nursing school there, because I want to have a career in two years. Your decision depends on your work ethic and what career in nursing you want to pursue. If you want a career as soon as possible, then choose a ADN program. If you hope to pursue a higher position in nursing then choose a BSN. It doesn't matter which path you take, once you are an RN, then you are set to go. I hope my advice helps!

Jackie :)

LauraLou · Jan 10, 2005

At 18 and with no money concerns, I would definitely go the BSN route. Who knows what you will want to do 5-10 years from now. You may want to go into management, become a NP or CNS. Having your BSN will make it easy to enter a Masters program.

I think getting an ADN is the best route for many people, I am doing it myself. But I think at this point in your life you are better off with a BSN.

Good luck whatever you decide!

goodkittie395 · Jan 11, 2005

Thanks all! I just realized that my first post was a little rude because I put down the AS program. I know that many people do it, its just that at my school, I have yet to find a person who is serious and compassionate about the program. Im going to class with high school drop outs and people that look like they are stoned, and there is such a lack of seriousness that has possessed my classmates. The people that I have spoken to have said that they are in it for the money and laugh.

At that, I concluded that the degree would be useless coming from a school like that. But, it's only the first year. Maybe the people like that won't pursue their nursing career.

I am just so passionate about nursing, I've been reading chicken soup for the nurses soul and many many other inspirational books and I've been volunteering for many years. The community college here says that they have a great nursing program. I'll just have to see what the actual nursing program is like. (I am in the pre requisite courses now.) Hopefully, my classmates will be more philanthropic than the ones I am with now.

Because I think that all it takes is a couple of sloppy and grouchy nurses to be hired from my school and after that they will stop wanting to recruite people from there. I dont, however, know of any RNs who have gone through with the program. I've just met the ones who are starting it.

begalli · Jan 11, 2005

I am just so passionate about nursing, I've been reading chicken soup for the nurses soul and many many other inspirational books and I've been volunteering for many years. The community college here says that they have a great nursing program. I'll just have to see what the actual nursing program is like. (I am in the pre requisite courses now.) Hopefully, my classmates will be more philanthropic than the ones I am with now.

A quick post on my way out the door to work....

Remember that the people who are in your pre-req classes are not the same people who will be in the nursing program. I know your nursing program very well :) and would love to talk further with you about this. It's VERY serious and a difficult program that holds students to a VERY high standard.

But like I said....I'm out the door!

p.s. Stanford will pay for your BSN if you work for them following graduation from your Associate program....I know that they have tuition reimbursement and paid time off for educational leave (to a limit of course, but it's great!) and you have a couple of choices for bridge programs (AS-BSN, or RN-MSN).

Rambob · Jan 11, 2005

Thanks all! I just realized that my first post was a little rude because I put down the AS program. I know that many people do it, its just that at my school, I have yet to find a person who is serious and compassionate about the program. Im going to class with high school drop outs and people that look like they are stoned, and there is such a lack of seriousness that has possessed my classmates. The people that I have spoken to have said that they are in it for the money and laugh.
Heck, your weren't rude.
The are zombies on most every community college campus. Maybe 1 in 10 is even aware of their surroundings, much less serious about being there. The plus side, is that most of the instructors are STARVED for an interested student. These instructors have been known to invite their better students out for lunch for discussions and later may write you a GREAT letter of recommendation.
Bob

Stitchie · Jan 11, 2005

The BSN degree will give you more options than the AS degree, both for advancement and management opportunities. It is a prereq for non-bedside nursing positions at many other companies also (like pharmacy research and other types of healthcare/research/science/journals).

You have more options, and at 18, you deserve to give yourself as many options as possible.

University is a great experience. You will never have this opportunity to be so responsibility-free and have such choice available to you. You will take pre-req classes no matter where you go and if you study, pay attention and apply them to the nursing process, (yes, even anthropology!) you will realize that sometimes learning for learning's sake has its own value.

Enjoy this choice and this experience. You will not regret it.

allnurses Guide · Jan 11, 2005

Gompers - your post is so good. And true.

steph