Second Degree BSN or ADN

adamsmom · Dec 12, 2007

I think it depends on what you want to do. If you want to specialize in a field that you need a BSN for example to sit for the WOCN which is a certified wound and ostomy nurse you have to have your BSN. If you plan on going further and teach you will have to have a masters which means you will have to first have a BSN, or if you want to become a nurse practioneer you will have to continue also.

But if you plan on being a nurse at a hospital or LTC or community you will not need your BSN. Even with many of your credits it would probably still be 4 years to be a BSN. THere are a few classmates of mine that have their bachlors and are in my ASN class which we graduate in May. They do not plan on continuing for a BSN they just want to get out there and be nurses.

GOOD LUCK

RN ColbyJack · Jan 8, 2008

I was in a similar situation. I had a bachelors in biology & sociology. A few years later I wanted to pursue nursing and I chose to get an associates degree in nursing. I feel very, very good about my ASN training and stand by my decision.

However, I have noticed that the nursing profession does not much honor bachelors degrees in outside fields, even those in related areas. It's all about the bachelors in nursing. Even though the liberal arts and other course work you already completed is identical to that of a BSN and even though an associates program's nursing classes & clinical time would comparable to a BSN's, your current bachelors isn't in nursing and that's what matters.

Even though I feel strongly about how well prepared, qualified, & awesome we ASN nurses are, one can't deny that the general nursing movement is shifting toward BSN prepared nurses.

So before making a decision either way, sit down with someone from the bachelors program with your transcript from your previous degree and see if they can create a personalized package, so you wouldn't have to duplicate classes and can just pick up the nursing course work. This would likely leave you with the same amount of time in school as an ASN program but with a BSN in the end.

Whatever you decide, you're going to be a nurse and you're going to touch lives! You can't go wrong with that as the outcome!

Good luck!

LuvofNursing, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 8, 2008

I just wanted to clarify that in order to get a master's degree, there are some schools that will accept you as a student if you have an unrelated bachelor's with an associate degree in nursing. As was said earlier, the degree you get depends on what you want to do and if the hospital you work for recognizes your bachelor's degree for pay differential.

First and foremost, research the schools that you are looking into, because all schools focus on different things, so you may find one that is more appealing to you.

good luck with your decision.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 8, 2008

Even though the liberal arts and other course work you already completed is identical to that of a BSN and even though an associates program's nursing classes & clinical time would comparable to a BSN's, your current bachelors isn't in nursing and that's what matters.
Good luck!

I strongly agree with much of what ColbyJack wrote in his original response. However, I want to point out the nursing coursework for an ADN and that for a BSN are sometimes very different. The amount of difference between the two types of programs varies with the particular schools and curricula in question.

Depending on the specific programs being compared, some of the differences often include:

1. A more in-depth inclusion of the academic side of nursing in BSN programs in courses related to nursing theories and research. Most BSN programs include a course on the major nursng theories and also require a statistics course as well as a nursing research course. While some some ADN programs introduce those topics, I have yet to see an ADN program require 3 full courses on those subjects -- with the theory and research courses focused specifically on nursing scholarship.

2. BSN programs typically include more emphasis on leadership/management content -- providing a basic foundation for career advancement later.

3. Patient education. Again, most BSN programs include a little more emphasis on this topic than the typical ADN program.

4. Community health and health policy issues tends to be emphasized more in BSN programs.

Please don't misunderstand me. I have great respect and affection for my ADN friends. I just didn't want newcomers to our profession who might read this thread to think that ADN programs are the same as BSN programs without the 2 years of liberal arts added. The nursing portions of the programs are also often a little different.

trinellipe · Jan 8, 2008

I currently hold a BA in Psychology and am looking into a second degree in nursing. I have been considering going for my ADN instead of a second bachelors degree.
Would this be a waste of time? Would being an RN and having a bachelors degree in another field qualify me for BSN positions with an ADN?
Or should I concentrate on going straight for the second degree BSN?
Any replies would be helpful. Thanks.

No, I don't think an ADN is a waste of time. I have a BA in English and I am currently going back to school to obtain an ADN. I'm not going for the BSN now because I needed a part-time evening program that I could mold around my work schedule. None of the BSN programs in my area could accommodate me as well as the ADN program at my community college. Besides, the community college was far less expensive and had better NCLEX-RN pass rates than the four year institutions in my area. Once I have my RN, I figure I can always take online classes or enroll in an RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN program.

Have you checked to see if there are Accelerated BSN programs available in your area?

rosiekay · Jan 8, 2008

One other thought to consider is where you might want to work. Some hospitals require a BSN for entry level nurses (I'm thinking UPenn here in Philly). Good luck with your searching and career change!

scurbro · Jul 10, 2012

It is the year 2012 (see the last comment was written back in 08 on this board, and I am here with the same dilemma.

But for me its going to be this route if I go the ADN route:

LPN program first then enroll in the ADN program, while working as an LPN. (The school requires that you be an LPN before getting your ADN with them).

If I go the ABSN route it is going to be this for me:

LPN program then ABSN, so I can have some clinical experience and a job to pay for school and take the pre-requisites.

I have looked at the Direct Entry Level MSN and the only program I have found is Asuza Pacific University in Los Angeles. They also have a Pre-nursing online program. I am excited about that prospect, but haven't contacted them about it yet.

So those are my choices. For now it will have to be on the back burner it feels. I am still muling it over. Finances take priority right now.