Previous Bachelors degree going into nursing - Should I do BSN or ADN???

Nurses General Nursing

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I am about to graduate from a university with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a Bachelors of Science in Spanish. I would really like to go into nursing. I've already been accepted into a school where I will get my RN/BSN in a short amount of time, but it is kind of expensive (about $6700 a semester). It is NOT an accelerated program. I have a LOT of science credits that will transfer in, so it should take me about 2 years or a year and a half. Since I already will have 2 bachelors degrees, would it be better for me to just go through an ADN program that would be cheaper like at a community college? Eventually, I would like to go through a MSN or DNP program to be a nurse practitioner and I've looked and they all say to have a BSN --or--your ADN with a previous bachelors in a different field, but I'm wondering if it'd look better that I went to a nice school for BSN instead of a community college for ADN. I'm just trying to decide what would be better for my career in the long run. I'm trying to factor in money, but loans are an option. I understand that some jobs will pay me to go back and get my BSN online, but should I just spend the extra money and get it all over with up front?? I'm so torn on what to do. Please help!!!

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I believe if you look at the degree requirements for BSN you will find that a lot of your pre-reqs may be done and it would make more sense to get the BSN. Consider an online program thru a state university (cheaper than out-of-state). But there is absolutely nothing wrong with the ADN if that suits your needs.

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

You are likely to spend as much time earning an ADN as you are to earn a BSN. Granted earning the ADN will probably be less expensive but by how much? If the difference is only a couple thousand dollars the decision is a no-brainer.

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I think it depends on if you have all your prereqs done or not. ADN and BSN programs are pretty much the same length.. but if you've still got to take two semesters of A&P before you can start the BSN program, that's just added an extra year until your graduation date.

If you already have ALL your prereqs done, going for the BSN is a good choice. If you still have to take a few classes like A&P or Micro, going for the ADN would allow you to take nursing classes at the same time. Either way, you'll still be an RN in the end.. so there's not a wrong choice. I'd just do whatever would take the least amount of time.

I went straight for my BSN.. but a lot of that had to do with the fact that since I have a previous degree, my financial aid options are limited. I don't qualify for grants at all anymore and at the community college here I couldn't even get a loan.. so that kinda made the choice for me.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

Something else to keep in mind -- you said you're already accepted in a BSN program, but it sounds like you haven't yet applied to any ADN programs? There's no guarantee you'd get in -- even if you meet all the admission requirements, those programs tend to be so heavily impacted that a lot of them do their admissions by a lottery system, at least at the community colleges in my area (SF Bay Area).

When I was applying to nursing schools, I applied to both ADN and accelerated BSN programs -- I had decided I would just go to whichever accepted me first -- I didn't think I cared whether I had a BSN or not, but it turns out that the BSN has been very useful to me. I wouldn't have been able to get my current job as a PHN without it (yes, I could have done an RN to BSN bridge, but that would have been additional time and money).

Good luck with your decision!

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I would go with BSN, because you don't want to be like me returning back to school for my RN-BSN.

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I finish an ADN program in 17days. i have a Bachelors in another field. Instead of going back for a BSN, i will go on for my Masters. its a couple credits different between the BSN and APN/MS.

and i will have the tuition reimbursement to help pay the cost.

my point is nothing is wrong with a ADN.

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Litchi, you couldn't even get a loan if you went through the ADN program at the community college? I hadn't heard of that being a problem, even if you already have a previous degree. Did they explain why? Thanks!

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I went straight for an accelerated BSN, and I'm glad I did. But it all depends on your goals. Since you want to go on for your MSN and/or DNP, it makes sense to get the BSN. Also, where are you geographically? If you were here in the Philadelphia area, I would say no way should you get an ADN. Quite a few hospitals in the Philly area have stopped hiring ADNs.

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Specializes in Family Medicine.

I went the ADN route because of cost.

The ABSN programs around me cost around $40,000 and the direct entry MSN's were like $60,000. I couldn't justify going into debt that much. My ADN program has only cost around $5,000.

There are many second degree people in my ADN program, some with masters degrees and one is even a lawyer.

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Finacially for me it made sense to go the ADN route. I started in Aug 07 and Graduated in May 09. Found a job, started working and will finish my BSN Summer 2011. It cost me about $5000 total for ADN. My BSN will cost about $5000. It made sense for me to start working in order to pay for my BSN, and all my courses are online. Also if you go the ADN route most positions will pay for advanced degrees. I will also apply to NP program, and get partial reimbursement through my job while gaining experience. Just a thought. PS. Curious as to the 2 degrees you have, are you wroking in those fields where you can make money while you go to school?

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Specializes in ED, MICU/TICU, NICU, PICU, LTAC.

In some cases (you'd have to look at what you can transfer to see if this would be appropriate for you) getting the ADN could put you to work a little faster, and then finish the BSN while already working as an RN. If you've already got most of your core classes and gen eds, you could possibly finish up the bachelor's fairly quickly after that. In a lot of areas Magnet hospitals hire in BSN only, but if you make it clear you're finishing the bachelor's that can get you in the door - I have no idea whether a bachelor's in another field, plus the ADN, would be the same (regarding employment at one of those facilities). Also (and you may have already heard this) knowing Spanish is definitely a leg up in many areas. Good luck!

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