Should I forget Associates and go straight to BSN

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I am currently taking my final pre-requisite/core requisite for the ADN program offered at city colleges in Chicago. However, I am now at a defining moment where I am struggling with whether to pursue the Associates degree or to just prepare for the BSN and apply to a state instituiton for a program that will start in Fall 2013. The reason is that I have been hearing so much about the difficulties ADNs are having in finding jobs especially at hospitals. I have already applied to the Associates program, completed and passed the TEAS and will hear whether I am admitted by April 10. Is anyone else out there who is tstruggling with this or have any suggestions as to the best way to go? Looking forward to your responses.

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I think that you should just go on and do BSN I am a nursing student also. When you get your associates, you job opportunities are limited and so is pay. When you have your BSN you are more likely to have more job opportunities and better pay. You already in school so might as well do a couple more years, instead of cutting it short. I had the same question a while back and a nurse told me that when you only get your associates you will eventually run out of options for what you can do, and most places want someone with at least at BSN. This is just my opinion. GOOD LUCK!

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I would also suggest you do BSN u less it is really important that you work as a nurse for those last two years. I am currently ADN and I am just out of high school. I applied to college before a lot of the hospitals in my area switched over to BSN required. My school's affiliated hospital just switched to BSN preferred. I may be one of the last graduating ADN students from my school as they are discussing becoming a 4 year college. I think ADN is great for working parents because then you can just easily do RN to BSN, but if you are single and don't need a full time job, I suggest just going straight through.

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

I did ASN because I have two young kids and need to bet back in the work force, but if I didn't have kids I would have absolutely gone straight to BSN,

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is there a way to get your associates, begin working/ getting experience while completing your BSN?

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I thought about going to the university for a 3 year hands on program, but opted for the 2 year community college then go straight into the online RN>BSN for a variety of reasons. First, it will be cheaper all the way around with tuition and parking. Second, since I am going straight through, I will not be working and going to school at any time unless I go for a MSN, which I probably will sometime. You have to do what is right for you and what feels more comfortable. Also, I have been told by several nurses that some hospitals will not hire you unless you have a BSN. good luck to you :)

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I'm getting my ADN now. And once I start working as an RN the local hospitals where I live pay for you to get your BSN. The classes are online with clincals wednesday nights. It takes about 16months. I would say the majority of people in my area are doing the same thing.

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I graduated with my ADN and I am about to start working at a hospital in which I did my clinical rotations. I was at a BSN program and decided transferred out and go towards the ADN route so I can work. I know a lot of people state that jobs are only for BSN although I disagree with this notion your BSN is important but is not the only factor. I know grad students from my college working at NICU, ER and they like myself graduated with their ADN. However I am enrolling to start fall 2012 for my BSN.

good luck in your decision .Just look at your pro vs cons as this should be done with any decision and it will help you make a better choice towards your immediate needs.

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Personally, I would take advantage of your community college and get your ADN first and then take an RN-BSN bridge program after you get your ADN. It will save you SO much money! I go to College of DuPage and they have a great nursing program that allows you to complete your LPN (licensed practical nurse) and then go straight into the ADN program. This allows you to start working and get experience faster - which we all know is very valuable these days. Yes, you may not get that hospital job you want so badly with your ADN, but once you complete your RN-BSN you'll be more desirable by hospitals and have a much better chanced of getting hired at one. I find that for most people, its more important to start working as soon as possible, especially in this economy. Getting your nursing degree at a 4 year institution can be crazy expensive. So getting your ADN at a community college and then going into a RN-BSN program is more economical. If you're craving that 'top notch university degree', there are tons of 4 year universities that offer RN-BSN programs. For example, I live in the Chicago area and once I have my RN I want to get into University of Illinois at Chicago's RN-BSN program. They have one of the best nursing schools in the state. I personally think there is a lot of value in community colleges and for people like myself who are receiving student loans to go to school, I'll save money where ever I can! Also, I think that you will become a more 'well rounded' nurse by experiencing being in different types of health care settings and being in different positions. My boyfriend's mom is a health care administrator and she tells me that the best nurses she has seen worked from the ground up starting off as CNA's -> LPN's -> RN's etc.

What ever your decision is, good luck!

- Maddie

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It seems a little long to go from an ADN to a BSN. At the schools I am looking at, only 3 semesters of BSN nursing classes are required after I graduate, BUT I have been taking my ADN AND my BSN pre-reqs simultaneously. I only have 2 pre-reqs to take for my BSN and only one for my ADN, so perhaps that is why it will take you so much longer than me to complete. Good luck!

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

I would say stay the route that you're on. You'll graduate a year before you would with your BSN. During that year you can work on gaining that crucial year of work experience that employers want just as much as that degree. It may not be ideal but the reality is that (most likely) you're not going to graduate and get that dream job. You can work and do a part-time RN to BSN program. Plus, once you have all that behind you it will be possible to work on getting that dream job. Just my two cents!

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Thanks everyone for your responses and support. I was actually accepted in the ADN program at the city college and I will be going for it. For one thing, it is less expensive and secondly, I was actually preparing for my ADN and BSN simultaneously so I already have a number of classes taken towards my BSN. With that in mind, by the time I finis my ADN I will be probably be just one semester away from starting an ADN-BSN program. I currently work at a medical center in an administrative position, and have been networking with the Director of Nursing there and also practising nurses. Most of them don't see a problem with the route I am taking. Thank you all and good luck to every single one of you in all your endeavors.

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