Associate's to RN? What to do.... ??

imenid37 · Mar 11, 2004

There's lots of good community colleges in the DC area. Why not go talk to a counselor at one of the to see if you need to take any more prereq's before applying to the nursing program. You can be an RN in L/D w/ the associates degree and you can do it as a new grad. This month's Nursing 2004 features an article by a professor at Montgomery Community College (MD) about the entry into practice debate. It seems there's always lots of jobs and lots of high tech hospitals in your area, so once you have that nursing degree, the world will be you "pearl." Also you can check out some of the many BSN programs in your area to see what you need. If you'll already have a B.S. degree there may not be much difference timewise for you. Best of luck to you!

kennedyrosey · Mar 11, 2004

Thanks a lot! :) What exactly would be the difference in benefits of the B.S. to RN versus the ADN to RN? They both seem to take the same amount of time and end up with the same outcome (RN licensure), so what is the difference exactly?

CA CoCoRN, RN · Mar 12, 2004

The difference is the amount you may get paid depending on the facility's policy. However, MOST facilities do not differentiate, except where experience is concerned. In other words, if you are an ASN with no experience and I am a BSN without experience and we are applying for the exact SAME position, all things being equal, we should receive the same pay.

However, if my position is to demand some sort of PHN cert/exp or other administrative requirement, you may be "outdegreed" by me, solely on the fact that I'd have a higher degree.

Also, for PHN, you must have a Bachelors degree.

kennedyrosey · Mar 12, 2004

Oh, okay. What is PHN? :confused:

CA CoCoRN, RN · Mar 12, 2004

Public Health Nurse

kennedyrosey · Mar 12, 2004

Oh, thanks :) Thanks for all your generous information..... for anyone else with advice for me, keep it coming!! I sure do need it. :)

suzanne4, RN · Mar 12, 2004

Since you will have a BS degree, have you thought about one of the schools that have a program for people with a BS in another field? This program will take you only two years and will give you a second BS degree, only this one in nursing. This is another option that is open to you.

Good luck :balloons:

star0910 · Mar 15, 2004

kennedyrosey, thank you for this post. I had the exact same question, but I din't get a chance to post it yet. I have an Associates in Interior Design, but hate it and am changing to nursing. I might be dtarting in the fall, but don't know yet. I wanted to do L/D also, but didn't know til now that I could as soon as schools over! thanks for all the info!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :balloons:

elkpark · Mar 15, 2004

As some of the other posters have noted, if you already have a BA or BS in something else, you may be able to get into a standard BSN program and take just the nursing courses. It could well be the case that this would take no longer than an ADN (and could even be shorter).

My advice would be to think long and hard about getting a BSN instead of an ADN, unless you are quite sure that you want to stay a bedside nurse for your entire career and not do anything else (and who is really sure of that at the beginning of their career??) (Please note that I'm not even hinting that there is anything wrong with that!!! Bedside nursing is the heart and soul of nursing, and a good bedside nurse is a thing of beauty and a joy forever!! It's just that there are other options out there, too, and it's nice to have the choice.) While both degrees prepare you for the same licensure exam, the BSN will give you more flexibility and job opportunities now and down the road. Many hospitals require a BSN for management positions, some hospitals require a BSN for movement up a clinical ladder within bedside nursing, public health departments typically require a BSN, most nursing graduate programs require a BSN, many community colleges will let you teach in an ADN program with a BSN, etc. More options.

I think that many other nurses would tell you the same thing -- if you can get a BSN in about the same time, and for about the same cost, as an ADN (or even a little bit more of both), it would be the smarter thing to do. Look at how many posters on this site are ADN nurses who are back in school to get a BSN, or trying to figure out how to manage to get back to school for a BSN ...

Best wishes with whatever you decide --