ADN or BSN Please give me your opinon!! (Mom with a 1 year old)

16mm · Nov 6, 2013

Both BSN and ADN pre reqs will likely include sciences like A&P and Micro. Do you know if your school will allow online versions? I have 2 kids also and to avoid daycare I go to school in the evening while my husband is home. Is that an option?

Also, BSN is definitely preffered I'm just choosing the ADN route for myself since I can't afford loans right now.

maddiem · Nov 7, 2013

I'm not sure how much research you have done on nursing school, but both of these degrees will get you an RN license. The reason you are hearing people tell you to go with the BSN is because most hospitals require that you have your BSN to work there. So the opportunities for ADN nurses are mostly in long term care facilities (nursing homes basically). But you don't have to stay an ADN. Most schools that offer nursing programs will also have an RN to BSN program so that ADN nurses can get their BSN. This is something that I plan on doing. I'm going to do an ADN program and as soon as I get my RN license I'm going to go into an RN to BSN program. I'm saving a lot of money doing my degree this way because my community college has RN to BSN programs held there at a reduced rate.

So really, its up to you. It depends on what program you think is going to be best for you. Find a few different programs in your area, both ADN and BSN. Look into the requirements, meet with advisors, go to open houses...and then make your decision. For me, money was a big deal. Nursing school has a lot more expenses than just tuition - Books (and LOTS of them), scrubs, stethoscope, supplemental study materials, driving to clinicals...BSN programs can get pricey and community college tuition is so much more affordable.

allnurses Guide · Nov 7, 2013

Welcome, Ipalmeida!

My advice would be to go for the BSN now, as you'll then put yourself ahead of the curve in almost all ways in the job market. I would encourage you to carefully read our forums here pertaining to how the BSN was achieved (online, in classroom or a combination). The available choices are mushrooming and there you can get the unvarnished opinion from others who have no financial stake in the program you are considering. They come from all walks of life and many are mothers or fathers of young children. Best wishes to you as you embark on this journey!

Edit to add: my reasoning is based not on what is happening in any particular location or whether someone wants to go into management or not, but what will be happening in 3-5 years if present trends continue, and also keeping in mind that many will face a relocation by choice or not over the span of a career.

We started to see an increasing number of new grads having trouble gaining employment around 2009 that shows no signs of letting up.

Academic and professional associations are still telling the media that there is or will shortly be a severe nationwide nursing shortage and warn against any decrease in the numbers of new nurses who are in record numbers now.

16mm · Nov 7, 2013

Yes you can't forget the rn to bsn programs! I plan to enroll as soon as I'm liscensed! The program I plan to attend is completely online. They have full time and part time pathways as well.

kaydensmom01 · Nov 7, 2013

My son was 1 when I started my ADN program. I completed the 2 years of the ADN program, which obviously required you to be at the campus/clinicals, and now am doing my RN-BSN for 1.5 years and is completely on-line.

lpalmeida · Nov 7, 2013

Thanks for the advice guys! Yes I am aware of the RN to BSN programs however one of my goals is to have one more child before I do my core nursing courses. So to become a licensed RN would be pointless for me seeing as I wouldn't be working as an RN while obtaining my BSN. I should have clarified, my overall goal is to be a stay at home mother while getting all prerequisites finished prior to enrolling in the nursing program.

copeRN · Nov 7, 2013

I feel like a BSN is truly only useful if you want to pursue another degree or MGMT position. I have a BSN and work with A LOT of people who have an ADN and we all make just about the same amount of money and do they same sort of tasks during our shift. I think ADN is great. It is half the time and money but you still will be an RN

lpalmeida · Nov 7, 2013

copeRN- do you mind me asking what type of nurse you are? I'm looking to become a labor and delivery nurse and then hopefully a lactation consultant. I keep getting mixed reviews on this. Some people say you won't get hired without your BSN and others say hospitals hire ADN's all the time. So confusing!!!!

16mm · Nov 7, 2013

It really depends on your location. We have state forums here. You can ask around there how the job market is for ADNs

lpalmeida · Nov 7, 2013

memphismom- can you tell me where those forums are?? Specifically North Texas :)

Compassion_x · Nov 7, 2013

It does really depend on your location. If your areas hire ADNs regularly, you could go that route and get your BSN later if you'd like.

If most hospitals in your area require a BSN, I'd advise you to go that route.

Where I live in the midwest most hospitals don't require BSN (at this point anyway, of course things could change in the future). And I've met a lot of L&D nurses with ADNs.