RN vs BSN decision for student hold B.S. Degree

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2012

don't waste your time getting the associate's degree (note, "rn" is not an earned degree and you don't get it in any school; it's a licensure granted by a state upon passing the nclex exam, for which you may sit when you graduate from an accredited program). period.

since you already have a bs and are thinking ahead to a career, why not consider a bachelor's-in-anything-to-mn program? there are a number of them around the country (i'd steer clear of the online for-profit schools, word to the wise). they are generally 18-24 months. you come out with a master's in nursing, the credits to sit for the nclex, and a leg up in a professional career. worth moving to get to, unless for some reason you are tied to memphis.

otherwise, the accelerated bsn program would probably do more for you than a traditional one, but if the regular one's what you get into, go for it. welcome to the profession.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 13, 2012

agree with GrnTea. BSN is the way to go if you can afford it. The US Govt is promoting the idea of 80% of hospital nurses to be BSN's by 2015. This means if you wait to get your BSN you might lose time and money

Music in My Heart · Mar 13, 2012

In general, the BSN is preferred simply because it will open up some doors for you in what is an extremely competitive job market. Nothing would suck more than graduating and being excluded from certain job postings because of a "BSN preferred/required" label.

dpulliam · Mar 14, 2012

Thanks for the advice! I intend to pursue the BSN and am currently wait listed for the Accelerated BSN option. They only accepted a very small number of applicants for the Accelerated BSN option so I am praying that I get the chance to enroll in the Accelerated program.

Merlyn · Mar 14, 2012

Hello,
Currently, I have been accepted for Fall 2012 to a traditional BSN program and have been waitlisted for the Accelerated program. At the University of Memphis, the traditional program is 5 semesters. I have a Bachelor of Science degree already and have been working full time for 2 years. I intend to quit work when I begin nursing school. Also, I have the option to attend a community college where I could receive an RN.
The BSN program will require me to take 66 credit hours total in additon to my current degree, totaling 120 hours. The RN program would require me to take 45 credit hours in addition to my current credits to receive an RN. I know that I want to finish with a BSN in order to pursue a managerial role and/or further my nursing career. The RN-BSN option is an addional 30 hours on top of the prior 45 hours. With this in mind, the RN program would allow me to finish and seek a nursing job in the Spring while the BSN would take the remainder of the year (2014) for me to complete.
Am I missing any details that I should consider? I am leaning towards the BSN because it will require less credits hours, but the RN would allow me to finish school earlier but force me to complete an additonal 30 hours to reach a BSN totaling 9 additonal hours for the RN-BSN route vs the tradional BSN progam. Any additional insight would be appreciated. It is about $5,500 dollars extra to complete the BSN vs the RN + (RN-BSN).
Thanks,
Damon[/quote
Get the BSN better in the long run.

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2012

I chose to get my ASN (2 year degree), get my license, get a job, and continue in my education with my RN - BSN. :)

The important part to me was being a nurse. I knew I would get the BSN either way, I just chose the way where I could work earlier and do what I love.

UVA Grad Nursing · Mar 14, 2012

The job market in many areas of the country is very tight for Associate Degree students. There is an ADN program in my city that graduates approximately 75 students every May. Now 10 months later, approximately 40% still do not have full-time jobs. Many had to relocate 100 miles or more for employment. All of the hospitals within a 50 mile radius are either Magnet or seeking Magnet, and they have a goal that 80% or more of their new hires must be BSN grads.

Our RN-BSN program has applicants this year from ADN or ASN graduates from 2011 who still cannot find jobs, so they are going back to school to get the BSN now.

Merlyn · Mar 14, 2012

I chose to get my ASN (2 year degree), get my license, get a job, and continue in my education with my RN - BSN. :)
The important part to me was being a nurse. I knew I would get the BSN either way, I just chose the way where I could work earlier and do what I love.

Go for it. Just to see if you like it.