RN-only or RN BSN - 35 & back to school

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Hi everyone. I'm 35 years old and hold a BS in education. For the past 11 years, I've been a stay at home mom. Although it would be relatively easy to get back into the teaching world, it's not where my heart is. I have been thinking of becoming a nurse since college. When I discovered my university was phasing out their nursing program, instead of telling my parents I needed to transfer, my 18 yr old brain decided, "well, guess I can't major in nursing now," and I went into education instead. I can't shake the feeling that this is where I am meant to be - specifically, working with women and/or children - but who knows, there might be some kind of care out there that I don't even know I will love more.

So, as to my post title - there are options here in my city to work toward a RN certification only, or an RN with a BSN. I definitely want the BSN, but I'm inclined to work on the RN only for now, because it will take less time, - and then I can bridge to the BSN. I still work part time and have my family to care for, and although since I have my Bachelors, I could go after an accelerated RN BSN, I think it would simply be too much to put on my plate at this point in my life.

I would love to hear your opinions. Do nurses with the RN but no BSN have a good chance at finding a job? It seems here in my city, there are tons of job postings (we have at least 15 major hospitals here). Are they respected at the same level? Will employers think I'm too old to be a baby nurse? I know I will do well in school and I get on well with people, but I know it can also be very competitive. Have any of you done one and wished you did the other?

Thank you for your stories and advice. :)

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Name of your city ?

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I'm in Saint Louis, Missouri.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Depends on the job market in your area. Look and see if most are advertising for BSNs or not. The larger hospitals in my area won't look at your resume if not BSN and others will hire you with the stipulation of getting it within 3-5 years.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to pre-nursing forum

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I have looked at the main career sites for the hospitals here. Most require the RN and then the BSN is preferred. I will definitely get the BSN, but it would be nice to work sooner. Thanks!

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Specializes in Hospice.

I went to work as an RN with an ASN. I'm now in BSN completion program. Not only is the hospital that I work for providing tuition assistance, but I think some of the coursework is more meaningful now that I've worked as a nurse for several years. Plus, I get the added benefit of networking with the other nurses in my cohort - and ours is a diverse group with nursing experience in a varied areas.

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In order to teach anything in nursing you will at-least need a BSN and more than likely an MSN. You will also have to have a vast amount of nursing skills and knowledge which takes time.

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In order to teach anything in nursing you will at-least need a BSN and more than likely an MSN. You will also have to have a vast amount of nursing skills and knowledge which takes time.

Oh, absolutely. I'm sure it would be very gratifying to teach, but I don't presume to be able to do that for a long time. I only mention my existing BS because having one allows me to pursue an accelerated BSN. Thanks!

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I got my Bachelor's in Education and went on to pursue a BSN (traditional program, not accelerated) at age 29 (finished at 33 because I went part time and had a baby in the middle of it that interrupted my studies). Because so many of my former degree credits counted towards my BSN, it was only a matter of one semester extra over the ASN to go ahead and get the Bachelor's in Nursing. I don't regret it.

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I went to work as an RN with an ASN. I'm now in BSN completion program. Not only is the hospital that I work for providing tuition assistance, but I think some of the coursework is more meaningful now that I've worked as a nurse for several years. Plus, I get the added benefit of networking with the other nurses in my cohort - and ours is a diverse group with nursing experience in a varied areas.

Yes - this has been mentioned to me a few times by friends who are nurses. While I wouldn't count on the tuition reimbursement (even if the hospitals here have it now, that doesn't mean they always will), I think the work toward the BSN would be more meaningful if I can draw on real-life experiences. I appreciate your experience!

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Specializes in ICU.

I guess I'm not understanding RN certification only??? RN is the license. There are different degrees that go with it. You can get a diploma, ASN, or, a BSN. All RNs have graduated from a program and a have a degree. You have to have one to be able to apply to take NCLEX.

In some cities, there are a plethora of new grad RNs and hospitals can be picky on the degree they hire. But we are all RNs with degrees. I happen to be proud of my ASN. It's a college degree.

In the view of many, an RN is an RN. Some places like that BSN. The difference in degrees is the amount of liberal arts credits and there are 3-4 additional al nursing classes in leadership and research. I did have a leadership class, but I think the BSN has a more in depth leadership class.

That's your difference. Research your job market. But there is no such thing as a RN certification only. RN is not a cert.

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