Associates vs. Bachelors

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hello,

I have recently been applying to some Colleges in order to start a Nursing program. Up untill now I have been looking into getting my Associates so I can start working as soon as possible. However, I was wondering if it would be more beneficial to stay in school for my Bachelors. Can any recent graduates give me some pros and cons to this situation?

Thanks =)

-Amanda

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I got my Associates and took my boards and passed. My plan is to continue going to school for my BSN and have my employer pay for it. Then, I can work AND continue my schooling and get paid to work while having my schooling paid for. Plus, the RN to BSN programs are made for working RN's so it is not near as intense as schooling was while trying to get an Associates. It is usually one class at a time for 6-8 weeks and can be completed in 2 years or so.

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Well, if I were a kid that was new to college I personally would vote for the associate degree path. It's fast and cheap and you can readily work and do the school's online RN-BSN program.

It would make more financial sense to finish the ADN, keep living much like you're living, earn that check, do the RN-BSN without taking any time off, and then finish that to move on with life.

I'm in the straight BSN program, but I already had a degree so it was just as fast as the ADN for me. We just take a few extra classes each semester.

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Of course, we take the same boards whether you have an ADN or BSN and you are not going to find a management job without a few years experience anyway. Starting pay and entry level jobs are the same for ADN or BSN degreed RNs. However, depending on which hospital you want to work for may also sway your decision. Some hospitals only hire BSN RNs.

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Specializes in NCT- rehab, BSN student.

Get your BSN. Many hospitals are pushing ADN's to get their BSN's. Plus, if you ever decide to go to grad school, you'll be able to apply right away instead of having to go get your Bachelors and THEN applying to get a Master's. Not to offend anyone, but BSN programs go into much more detail when it comes to patho, pharm, etc.

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Get your BSN. Many hospitals are pushing ADN's to get their BSN's. Plus, if you ever decide to go to grad school, you'll be able to apply right away instead of having to go get your Bachelors and THEN applying to get a Master's. Not to offend anyone, but BSN programs go into much more detail when it comes to patho, pharm, etc.

They supposedly go into more detail, however, I'm finding that the detail isn't that detailed but rather face value information. I'm really quite amazed that nurses can actually do the job. I honestly thought there'd be so much more detail than what there is in nursing school. I'm disappointed really and quite frustrated with my classmates who think we're too detailed as it is. I asked a question in our pathophysiology class last week, and the teacher actually said "You don't need to worry. We don't go into that level of detail." :rolleyes: I WANTED that detail or I wouldn't have asked!!!

I'm really bummed out over this lately. It makes me regret going back to school honestly. I've already got a dusty science degree.

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It depends on your situation and the schools in your area...Im currently doing my pre-reqs through a BSN program, but I know I am not going to get in because my grades are nowhere near competitive enough (they only accept 24 people a year) and they look at volunteer experience a lot which I don't have time for because I work. All the other BSN programs in my area are private and I can't excuse paying 40,000+ in my area for a BSN when most of the hospitals don't care if you have an ADN or BSN and pay you the same rate (in this area at least) My plan is to finish up my pre reqs at my current school and then get my ADN from the local technical college. When I graduate with my ADN I will only need to take 3 more courses to have my BSN. All theory classes that I can take online through our state's university system.

It really depends on your situation. What I don't like about the public universities around here is that there is no gurantee you will ever get into their nursing program. You can apply year after year and not get in, and there is no waiting list. I would personally find a program that guarantees you a clinical spot once you are done with your pre-reqs whether it be an ADN or BSN program.

And whoever said BSN programs go into more detail about patho and pharm, that may be in your area, but in my area ADN and BSN programs get the same amount of information on patho and pharm. The BSN program has more theory and research classes.

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My patho and pharm was quite detailed in my ADN program. There are more classes on nursing theory and research for your bachelors, but the essentials are comparable between the ADN and BSN programs. NCLEX is NCLEX regardless of the program.

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