RN or BSN?

[bel613]

Hello, I am a pre-nursing student and I cannot decide whether it is really necessary to go directly for the BSN or just go for the RN degree, get some experience and then later on advance to BSN. What do you think? Thanks!!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I presume you're talking about BSN or ADN because they both lead to the RN.

It depends on your future goals, your current financial situation, how much time you're willing to put into your education.

I consider the BSN an investment. Both the BSN and the ADN get you the RN, get you to the bedside making the same, or nearly the same, amount of money, doing the same thing. The BSN affords you the chance to do something beyond the bedside like teaching, management, research, public health, etc. The ADN is highly in demand too, making good money with lots of variety of job opportunity, but sometimes there are jobs that are "BSN preferred" and the BSN would give you an edge, all other things considered equal.

Another option that many take is getting the ADN, working as an RN and then attend an RN to BSN program part-time. That's what I'm doing.

My advice is, if able, go for the BSN now, get it over with. It's a great education, will afford opportunity and you won't find yourself like me 14 years later finally going back to school after I promised myself I'd do it ten years ago. :)

Good luck. Please feel free to ask any questions you wish!

[bel613]

Thank you very much for your help - It is so nice to hear your thoughts! Your reply really did help me make my decision and I will go straight for my BSN (if I get accepted!). Thanks again.

[twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN]

For me I couldn't do the 4 year college cause my high school gpa was extremely low (0.9) and they wouldn't touch me. But if you can do it financially, and time wise, then go for it.