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

[k.ronning]

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!!!

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

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).

In Philly, the hospitals that are BSN only won't even look at your application if you don't have the BSN in hand- previous BAs and enrolled in an RN-BSN program don't get you any consideration over the other ADN graduates.

[njmomstudent]

It really depends on what your plans are. I have a BS in another science field and am doing my ADN because I plan on going for my MSN afterwards. (There are MSN programs that have BSN bridge classes for those that have a BS in another field and thier RN). The ADN suited me though because it was cheaper than a ABSN program, and a more flexible schedule. I am married with a 2 year old and work as well, and the only ABSN programs around me were full time 12 month programs.

If you don't plan on getting your MSN, then I would do the BSN program. Also, if you don't have kids or work and can go to school full time, and don't mind paying more, I would find a ABSN program near you and do that instead of the 2 year BSN. It really depends on what your plans are for the future and what your lifestyle is as far as work, kids and finances.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

Fist you must understand that in nursing your previous bachelors degree will mean nothing. It will not give you a leg up in being hired or promoted.

In your sitiation I would do the BSN.

[chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I'm in a somewhat similar situation (BA & MBA) and went the ADN route, intending to go to MSN as soon as possible. While this is still viable, I have since learned that there are quite a number of institutions (the military and US government as well as some of the larger hospital/health care chains) that do not recognize ADN/MSN nurses and will not hire them. This seems to be a ridiculus postion, given the the average holder of a bacaluareate will have already taken some of the BSN courses and the MSN bridge programs required of non BSNs (usually 3 courses) actually replicates the nursing classes of the BSN. Unfortunately, that's the reality. And the other reality is the increasing difficulty of getting hired as an ADN: With the glut of nursing job applicants here in the Phila area, many and possibly most institutions view the BSN as the minimum entry-level credential.

I'm now rethinking what I intend to do. From what I can gather looking at the BSN requirements for some local schools, I will need something like 5 addtitional classes. Since the BSN will exempt me from the bridge classes of the MSN program, the net number of extra classes is only 2.

YMMV

[iPink, BSN, RN]

I'm in a somewhat similar situation (BA & MBA) and went the ADN route, intending to go to MSN as soon as possible. While this is still viable, I have since learned that there are quite a number of institutions (the military and US government as well as some of the larger hospital/health care chains) that do not recognize ADN/MSN nurses and will not hire them. This seems to be a ridiculus postion, given the the average holder of a bacaluareate will have already taken some of the BSN courses and the MSN bridge programs required of non BSNs (usually 3 courses) actually replicates the nursing classes of the BSN. Unfortunately, that's the reality. And the other reality is the increasing difficulty of getting hired as an ADN: With the glut of nursing job applicants here in the Phila area, many and possibly most institutions view the BSN as the minimum entry-level credential.

I'm now rethinking what I intend to do. From what I can gather looking at the BSN requirements for some local schools, I will need something like 5 addtitional classes. Since the BSN will exempt me from the bridge classes of the MSN program, the net number of extra classes is only 2.

YMMV

That is such a sad reality. I just started my ABSN program and the previous Nursing students told me in our area, the hospitals are hiring BSN students and not ADNs. However, this may not be the case in other areas. While I had applied to my BSN program, I also applied to an ADN program as back up. My plan was if I didn't get into a BSN program, I would go for the ADN than do a RN-MSN bridge later. However, glad the ABSN program accepted me.

[AtomicWoman]

In Philly, the hospitals that are BSN only won't even look at your application if you don't have the BSN in hand- previous BAs and enrolled in an RN-BSN program don't get you any consideration over the other ADN graduates.

One recruiter from a LARGE Philadelphia health system (Magnet hospital) told me that if you don't click the BSN box on your online application, no recruiter will ever see it. It will be automatically rejected.