ASN or BSN?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I plan on becoming an RN.

Should I take pre - reqs at my local community college for university to get my BSN or should I stay at the community college to get my ASN? Which is better for a prospective RN?

What should I do!?

Might as well get your BSN. ADN programs have wait lists. Most BSN programs do not. Sure it might take you two years to do pre-reqs but its only two more for the nursing classes and you can take summer classes. Im doing a BSN I only have 5 more pre-reqs to go.

It depends on your situation, and the area you are in and what works best for you. Where I am located it is very hard to get into any nursing program period. For me it will work out better for me to get my ASN so I can start working asap, then do a bridge program for my BSN once I am working as a RN.

Specializes in Infusion.

I'm in a situation where the nearest ADN school is a mile away and the nearest BSN program is nearly an hour away. With a hubby and kids, it makes more sense for me to get my ADN first and then work toward my RN to BSN online at an expensive school. If you are young and getting financial support, going straight for your BSN makes a ton of sense. Get those pre-reqs at the CC like you said. In Oregon the BSN programs are pretty competitive at the public colleges, not as much at the private schools.

many asn programs are harder to get into. im not sure about where you live but alot of the hospitals in my area (nyc) now prefer or require nurses to have a bsn.

im in a bsn program now because i ultimately plan on getting my msn...

the choice is really up to you and what you feel is best for your situation ie money, time, etc...

Thanks for the help!

i think you will save a lot of money by taking the pre-requistes at a community college. usually, there is a lot more pre-requisites for a bsn compared to asn. so i think it'll be smarter that you do all the asn requirements first and apply for asn programs and if you dont get into a program, take the bsn requirements and once you are done with those, you can apply to both asn and bsn programs. you can always transfer your credits from community college to universities.

hope this helps!!

In my opinion, I think you should go where ever they take you. Right now there are so many options and I think what ever school will take you to get your RN would be the "best"!

:) GOOD LUCK either way

Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

BSN all the way! :nurse:

Specializes in Hemodialysis nursing.

I am currently in a ASN program in my hometown and it is extremely competitive. It is up to you whether or not ASN or BSN is the right fit for your situation, such as family life etc. Both programs end up teaching you the same material to be an RN it's just that the BSN program has a few more cores. All in all they both result in an RN degree.:nurse:

If you do a search you will find many threads about ADN vs BSN.

Some of those may help you decide.

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