Perhaps a stupid question - Accelerated BSN or Associates

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Apr 4, 2017

Well an ADN will take you at least two years (for most programs) + any pre-requisites. It'll be cheaper than an ABSN. You'll obviously have an associate's in the end, which may or may not be marketable depending on the demand in your area (to check this, look up nursing job listings in your area and look for the requirements). If necessary you can bridge to a BSN, which would add another 15 months or so.

An ABSN will be shorter - most average 15-18 months + any pre-requisites you need. It'll be more expensive, but you won't need another degree to potentially be marketable.

If it were me, I'd be going straight for the BSN. The marketability and length would be my biggest deciding factors.

Other things you need to consider though: your GPA, how many prereq's you need before each program (generally less for an associate's), the cost, program options in your area, etc.

Hope this helps!

paisling · Apr 4, 2017

an ADN + BA doesn't equal a BSN, unfortunately.

I had the same choice to make and have decided to do a ABSN because the local ADN programs actually had MORE pre-reqs and I'd like to be done sooner rather than later.

FutureNurseInfo · Apr 4, 2017

ABSN!

If you do ADN, it will add two years plus needed pre-reqs. Yes, this route is cheaper, but do not forget you will still have to obtain your BSN, which will add at least one more year to your schooling, and, of course, more money to pay! This in all will take 3 years! ABSN is at most 18 months, and, even though it seems expensive, it make come out the same amount of money you would have spent on ADN and then RN-BSN. Do the math.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2017

I faced the same decision and decided to go for the BSN, but it isn't always the best decision.

If where you live hires ASN nurses, and your available bsn programs are very expensive as compared to the ASN programs, it might be worth it to go that route.

My absn was faster than the adn would have been and that factored into my decision.

My absn cost about 28k as opposed to the 15k I would have spent on the asn.

Where I live, asn nurses have a hard time finding employment, so I didn't think it was worth spending more time on the asn, when I would have had to shell out about as much cash in the long run for a rn to bsn program.

I probably would have chosen the adn had the price been further apart. I know people who've spent 60k on an absn program. I would not have gone that route.

One thing is for sure though no matter where you live, your non nursing degrees mean nothing in the nursing world.

Redcar1 · Apr 11, 2017

I would say BSN second-degree but it may depend based on the State. Here in Michigan most of the hospital nursing jobs require a BSN to get hired. Some will hire-in but most of the nurses with associates are still expected to go back to school and obtain a bachelors in nursing at some point. At my school the amount of time to get a second-degree BSN is two years, so the same amount of time as an associates. It's more expensive I'm sure but I believe it will pay off in the long-run.

BookishBelle · Apr 11, 2017

Hi! I had to make the same decision. BA in music theory, but I want a career that is flexible and pays decently! I also didn't want to come out in debt, NEEDING to work so i could pay off my student debt. Where I live the accelerated nursing would take 16 months and put me 54k in debt. The ADN makes me fully hirable and at my CC nursing program I could pay as I go (with grants and part time money) and come out owing nothing. It will take 21 months now that I am done the pre reqs. To me, not being in a position where I HAVE to work is definitely worth it, especially since it is a matter of 5 months difference. I can be more choosy with jobs.

The pre reqs are definitely something to keep in mind. It was difficult to get into a suitable chemistry class since every person who wants to get into a health care program has to take it, around here anyways. It took me a year to do 3 classes of prerequisites, since you need a certain level of math to take certain science classes and so on.

Once I am working, perhaps my employer can help me pay to get my BSN. If not, I understand you can get them pretty much completely online. I think it might be even more meaningful if I am actually in the field, as well.

WCSU1987 · Apr 11, 2017

I have a B.S. in a human service field. Needed 7 to 8 prereqs for the ABSN and 3 for the ADN program in my State. The ADN program is wicked competitive due to it being an inexpensive and starting route for individuals to become nurse's.

I applied because well on the way to working to apply for a few BSN programs wouldn't hurt. Was waitlisted probably apply again and plan is to hopefully apply to a total of 5 to 6 programs at the end of this year.

If you domy have to pay or pay much. On the way of completing prerequisites for another program apply. Apply to as many programs as you can I say.

Roasted.Peanuts · Apr 11, 2017

I am also choosing between absn and adn programs and I am leaning towards the ADN. The absn program I am applying to is 2 hours away from where I live so I will have to move there. The estimated cost of that 2-year absn is roughly $55k with living expenses adding on another $20k. The ADN programs around me cost $5,000 for the entire program and I will be able to live at home with no rent. I already have $30k debt from my previous B.S. which is also weighing on my decision. If I end up getting accepted to only the absn program I will attend, however.

shasta13 · Apr 12, 2017

I was in the same boat and initially decided to choose the ADN because my concern was time. With that route, it would have been my intention to eventually bridge to BSN, but my primary goal was to be working ASAP (I'm an older student.)

I did some research on jobs in my area and talked to a lot of people and learned that the ADN would not make me marketable AT ALL, so I began to reevaluate my plan. I switched to BSN because the ABSN program is twice the cost, but ultimately decided on the ASBN because I'd (hopefully) be in the workforce two (ish) years sooner and will make that money back well before the time I would have been done with a traditional BSN.