the old debate of ADN vs. BSN, second degree

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi there!

I'm brand new to this website so I apologize in advance if a similar question has been posed. Here's my dilemma.

I already have a BA in psych from UT Austin. I'm undecided as to whether to pursue a BSN or ADN. I can see pros and cons to both sides. What appeals to me about the ADN is the practical skills versus the theoretical side of the BSN. At this point I want the hands on training. I want to work ASAP.

However, I do understand that many management positions require a BSN. I'm wondering that if I had my ADN plus my BA if that wouldn't make me just as competitive? Beyond that I know the advantage of the BSN is that it makes me eligible for grad school. However, my other thought is that if I have a bachelor's in another discipline, plus an ADN, plus field experience, wouldn't that make me eligible for grad school? Any thoughts? Anyone here in the same boat?

Thanks!

Greenmedusa

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Specializes in Operating Room.

[bANANA]Hi and welcome to

:balloons: AllNurses.com!:balloons: [/bANANA]

If I were you I would look around at your options. There are some schools that offer an accelerated BSN to those who already have a Bachelor's degree.

This may be just as fast for you as going the ADN route. It is so hard and time consuming to get into most ADN programs. (For example, 4.0 students not getting in because over 100 students out of 274 applicants had 4.0 and only 100 seats, or 2-4 year waiting lists, etc.)

As far as the ADN/Bachelor idea for management, I think you MAY still be considered for management positions in the future, but MAY still be not as qualified as someone with a BSN. (I'm not sure.)

So....check out the different programs around you, and various programs online, and see what is best for you.

Good luck!

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Please, please do a search on this forum, there are already hundreds of threads like this. It will take you just a few minutes to do and you will find more than enough material on the topic.

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.

You'll get the same practical, hands-on training in the BSN program as the ADN. It's totally untrue that BSN grads are less clinically prepared than ADN grads. BSN programs are not geared towards management and theory, they simply offer education in management, research, and community health principles above and beyond what is offered in ADN programs.

Good luck in your future career!! And welcome to allnurses!

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i am in a similar situation. i have a bs in sociology and i've returned to school to get my adn. i wanted to go into a accel. bsn program because i felt i was taking a step backwards by going to a cc. however, after talking to my sister (bsn '02) who was in an accel. bs to bsn program i changed my mind. for starters the 18month program actually took 4yrs. full time to complete. there were so many scheduling conflicts with pre-reqs and the actual nursing courses that were only offered during certain semesters, it just dragged on and on. in our area the nursing shortage is so great that adn's and bsn's make the same money. adn's also hold some managerial positions. i'll probably go back after i get my rn into a bsn/msn program to be an np. but for now i think the adn is my best option.

i would suggest that if you are going into a bs to bsn program that you talk to some of the people in the program to make sure it is all that it claims to be. btw my adn program has the highest nclex pass rate in the area (even higher than all the bsn programs)

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