RN vs BSN, is a BSN really worth it?

calivianya, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2015

The difference in student debt if I go ASD or BSN is the difference of about 30,000.
The prerequisite time difference would be 1 year since most schools start Fall only.
So is getting a BSN worth 30,000 of debt? If so how quickly can I make that money up.

Just find a cheaper BSN program. I got my BSN for under $20k. Go to a state school instead of an expensive private school.

muirite · Aug 31, 2015

Where I am from BSN is a must to get hired in a hospital even the better LTC prefer BSN because there are so many.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2015

I am in a metro area of about 7 million people. Most local hospital systems in this area no longer hire new grad RNs who are without a BSN degree.

If the OP is willing to accept employment outside a hospital, (s)he should be fine. However, it seems everyone (and their mommas) wants the anointed hospital gig. For that, the BSN degree is becoming the default weed out tool.

lisalou3 · Aug 31, 2015

30K seems like a lot...but most brick and mortar schools for ANY bachelors degree is going to run that. I went to a community college 20 yrs ago, got my ADN and worked as an RN since then. 18 months ago I went back to school to get my MSN, and just this weekend finished my BSN requirements. So I am now a BSN...18 months (could have done one year but I had a life), online program, 9000.

So my suggestion is that if there is an ADN program near you, check that cost, then see what an online BSN would be (often WAY cheaper), and see if that is less than the 30K.

Good luck!

Upward_Bound · Sep 1, 2015

Thank you everyone who answered.

It seems to be a 50/50 as what you guys would recommend.

Around here I'm pretty sure they are hiring LPN, RN etc. because I did a job search in my local area and found many jobs.

WCSU1987 · Sep 1, 2015

I really don't feel like returning back to school for another bachelor's. However, I joined the party too late where I live. To really be hired and stand out you need that BSN. I mean it's about an extra $10K more than the ADN program. Probably an extra year. Really don't see the point, but probably going to go the BSN route.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Oct 26, 2015

To me, I went the ADN and then RN to BSN route. It was a lot cheaper. Most of my debt is from prior education when I was in school for psych at a large public university. That is a better route in my opinion because it is affordable. It was a touch shorter than the traditional route.

TC3200 · Oct 27, 2015

You do not *have* to get into 30k more debt to go the BSN route.
For my current situation, it is financially wiser for me to get my ADN at a community college, get a job, then apply for a bridge program. In my area, hospitals are still frequently hiring ADNs. If I lived in an area that only hired BSNs in the hospital setting, I would go straight for the BSN.

And even if you didn't get a hospital R.N. job or your nursing "dream job," you'd still be a R.N. (associate or diploma, which is usually as much college as ADN plus has more actual clinical hours), making R.N. wages which will go a long way toward paying cash for that BSN bridge. Your employer may even pick up the tab for all or part of it. Grads from the many diploma schools in western PA moved south to the Carolinas and TX and got R.N. jobs without much trouble. Some of them had to go to work in nursing homes or facilities other than hospitals. But they did get hired without a BSN.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Nov 7, 2015

As others have probably said, it isn't about hourly rates, it is about increasing your job possibilities. If you want to work in a hospital I would say go for the BSN for sure!

Annie

Prof. L-B · Nov 10, 2015

Check out universities offering a pre-licensure, clinical nurse leader master's degree. You have to have a bachelors degree, and meet criteria for admission, then go through an interview process, but it has worked wonders for many I know. It is a 5 semester intensive (accelerated) program leading to a MSN and ability to take the NCLEX. If you already have a 4 year degree and want to be a nurse - this is a great option. check out: Georgia Regents University Georgia Regents University - soon to be Augusta University. I hope this helps.

Prof. L-B · Nov 10, 2015

check out the MSN CNL program at Georgia Regents University. its an accelerated pre-licensure nursing program for people who already have a bachelors degree. :) Hope this helps.

lucy100 · Nov 12, 2015

ADN is cheaper but you will not be able to avoid getting a BSN at some point in time. I work for a hospital that has embraced the IOM recommendation of 80% BSN workforce by 2020. Over the past 6 years I can see many changes taking place that will force ADN RN's to return to school or stagnate in their current job. I have a friend that tried to apply to a different unit (same facility) , a questionnaire popped up asking "are you willing to get a BSN within 5 years?". When she clicked "no" she got an immediate pop up response "sorry you don't qualify for this job". ADN and BSN nurses make the same starting rates but when annual evaluation time comes BSN's are awarded higher scores in area of training and expertise. BSN will give you more job options. Luckily there are tons of programs for RN to BSN or MSN in every price range.