Really Confused

dlh310 · Feb 25, 2009

I dont know how much this helps but I currently go to NYU and im im the 15 month accelerated program...i can tell you right now that in between going to classes every day, clinical rotations at the hospitals, tests, papers, projects/presentations, quizes and careplans....there is virtually no extra time to work fulltime or even part time depending on what you do for a living. chances are you may hav to quit ur job just to keep up with your grades b/c the program is really intense. Its also almost 20,000 a semester and you will be in the program for a total of 4 semesters so you do the math...overall it does from what i have heard increase your chances of getting a job...not necessarily a better job (b/c if you kno he right people in the right places or apply to the right place at the right time some Associate degree students can land better jobs than a BSN student). Also the differential in pay is usually only 1000-2000 dollars but over the long run it makes a difference and usually most places these days wont even consider you unless you hav a BS b/c having a B/S gives us a more well rounded education and we tend to learn and think differently than ADNs (just my opinion people, dont kill me) and we are more likely to get management positions quickly also. the fact that you already have your bachelors puts you in the position to just go for the BSN program because chances are in the long run you may be unhappy with the associates degree and whatever comes along with that and end up going back to get your bachelors anyway and end up spending an additional 2 yrs in school and taking more time away from you family and from making that money! I have my bachelors and I decided to just invest the money now and get the BSN over with. The loans are killing me now but thats the sacrifice i chose to make. its all based on your personality and for the most part which end of the stick you are willing to settle for. Good luck with your decision!!!

nycnursing0708 · Feb 25, 2009

Thanks so much for the info. It does make sense to just go straight for my BSN. I am going to start putting together my applications ASAP. I wish you the best of luck!!!

Wsmith16, ADN, BSN · Feb 25, 2009

I'm going to give you another piece of the coin. I have a bachelors in another field & I too had over 50 thousands in loans before I entered an ADN program. It took me a yr and a half because i got into the accelarted portion. The entire program cost about 25,000 for the whole program. The programs was extrelemy intense & challenging & it was tough road. Nursing school isnt' easy no matter which route you choose. . You will find many BSN's that will tell you that they are better or think differently. And you will find many ADN's that will tell you that they are better because they have more clinical expertise & the only thing BSN can do is type papers. I think it's because nursing is just filled with a bunch of women who clearly like to put others down. A nurse is a nurse & you will see that once you graduate & hit the floor.

Look at all the programs how long it will take & money it will cost. I can only speak from my perspective as a new grad I chose the ADN route due to financial reasons I simply could not afford another 60g in loans. This was what was best for me & I'm happy for my choice.

Again, go to the schools see what they each have to offer. And chose the school that will best fit your situation. good Luck!

dlh310 · Feb 26, 2009

In response to Wsmith16, you are right in a sense: a nurse is a nurse is a nurse...as long as they are competent, the route that they chose to get there really doesnt matter....however i do think that the degree you choose to get is a more of a personal choice based more on whether you value more of a "title" or if you value saving money. whether people like to admit it or not, sometimes those with a more advanced degree (in almost any field) will be regarded as more qualified whether or not that is in fact is actually true. (to be fair i will admit that more years in school does not equate with being a better nurse) but the reality of it is, especially in NY where its very competitive for new grads to get jobs, the BSN nurse will probably be more likely to land the jobs in the "better" institutions b/c they wont even consider you unless you have a BSN. That's also the reason why a lot of associate degree nurses choose to further their educations with a BS anyway, either to improve their status and pay at their current facility, go into management, or apply to a better institution. if someone is going to aim for a ADN by all means do it b/c the pay differential isnt all that great and its much more affordable. You can always if you chose go back for BSN later. But most people like myself who opt for going straight to the BSN route do it for the personal satisfaction that comes with the degree, not because it will "make me better" than someone else, but because it makes me better for myself. If she goes for her BSN, it will take 12-15months depending on where you go to school and you can put that extra money you earn towards your loans. Also you dont have to go to a megaridiculouslyexpensive school like NYU or Pace. SUNY schools like Binghamton, Stony Brook, and Downstate have great and much more affordable accelerated bachelors programs. As you said, NYCNURSING0708 should look into each school and see whats best for them and what the advantagesdisadvantages are to each program including their NCLEX success rates and what their after graduation employment profile is like.

olivia28 · Feb 26, 2009

I worked for an accelerated BSN program and attended and ASN program. I weighed all of my options before I made the decision to go to an ASN prgram. The cost of not being able to work to attend an accelerated BSN did not compute financially for me. I knew that I would not stop at just getting my ASN anyway. I know that new nurses no matter what type of degree they attain start in the same boat. Yes, it is true that some of the larger Manhattan hospitals that pay more do not like to hire ASN nurses. But, that does not mean that they don't. Frankly, many students from accelerated prgrams have just as difficult a time getting their foot in the door as an ADN graduate. There is a huge difference in getting a BSN degree, you can see that just by comparing the courses required for each program.

Bottom line is you have to choose what works for you. I too was a single mom with a 4 year old when I began my pre reqs at the local community college in 2005. I just completed my ASN, passed the NCLEX and am on my was to working at a community hosptal who will pay for me to complete my BSN/MSN program I hope to begin this year. I could have been finished and working with a BSN only 6 months earlier given that it would have taken me the same amount of time to complete the pre reqs. I have no loans, which was more important to me in the long run. What's most important to you?

Just my two cents,

Olivia RN

Wsmith16, ADN, BSN · Feb 26, 2009

I worked for an accelerated BSN program and attended and ASN program. I weighed all of my options before I made the decision to go to an ASN prgram. The cost of not being able to work to attend an accelerated BSN did not compute financially for me. I knew that I would not stop at just getting my ASN anyway. I know that new nurses no matter what type of degree they attain start in the same boat. Yes, it is true that some of the larger Manhattan hospitals that pay more do not like to hire ASN nurses. But, that does not mean that they don't. Frankly, many students from accelerated prgrams have just as difficult a time getting their foot in the door as an ADN graduate. There is a huge difference in getting a BSN degree, you can see that just by comparing the courses required for each program.
Bottom line is you have to choose what works for you. I too was a single mom with a 4 year old when I began my pre reqs at the local community college in 2005. I just completed my ASN, passed the NCLEX and am on my was to working at a community hosptal who will pay for me to complete my BSN/MSN program I hope to begin this year. I could have been finished and working with a BSN only 6 months earlier given that it would have taken me the same amount of time to complete the pre reqs. I have no loans, which was more important to me in the long run. What's most important to you?
Just my two cents,
Olivia RN

You said something that really resonates here before I started my program I heard many NY hospitals do not hire ADN & I believed it. Until I found out that people who graduated before me were working at Sinai, Sloan, NYP...so it isn't necessarily the case.

The OP should chose the best option for her & it may be the BSN or not.

Congrats on passing the MNCLEX Olivia. I am up next. So scared. LOL!!

olivia28 · Feb 26, 2009

You said something that really resonates here before I started my program I heard many NY hospitals do not hire ADN & I believed it. Until I found out that people who graduated before me were working at Sinai, Sloan, NYP...so it isn't necessarily the case.
The OP should chose the best option for her & it may be the BSN or not.
Congrats on passing the MNCLEX Olivia. I am up next. So scared. LOL!!

Thank you! You will pass the exam. You have prepared, just do your best and stay calm. :up: :typing

nycnursing0708 · Feb 27, 2009

Wow thanks so much everyone for all the advice....