Hi NicoleNurseStudent, I tried to do a double degree of Child Development and Nursing at Berea College, but ended up getting a BA in Child Development, teaching for a year, and then completing 2 more years of an Associate Degree for Nursing while working full time. (I only had to complete the Nursing courses, as I had gotten the electives out of the way earlier). Most hospitals and facilities seemed to take my ADN just fine, though on your license paperwork and job applications it helps to have that "Bachelors in Another Field". I personally would go for the ADN and get that secured and then look into bridging to a BSN. But honestly, I haven't pursued it further; because for me the cost /benefit ratio just doesn't justify it. I might make about $10,000 to $20,000 more. But I would also take a big financial hit going back to school for another Bachelors. The kicker is when I looked into the Masters programs, I would have to spend about $30,000 to bridge with what I had. So, it seemed that unless I wanted to go into management, I didn't really need the BSN. But if I wanted to go into teaching the BSN or better yet the MSN would be necessary. Right at the point you are, with what you've said...if it were me, I would get the ADN out of the way and go from there. That's just my experience. And I have been back in East Tennessee since '92. Hope that helps.
