Tell me why BSN now?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2005

The main reason is the one you were told. That you can have the BSN in only one semester longer and then it's done and out of the way.

RN to BSN programs typically run 18 months to two years. Plus you might wind up being like me, once you get out there making that money, working that overtime you don't want to go to school. ADN programs are tough and exhausting and who wants to immediately go to school for another 18 months? It took me 15 years to go back to school, after I promised myself to go back soon after graduating with my ADN.

Employers typically have a cap on education. My employer pays $2200 a year for education, and I've used that up this year in my RN to BSN program in two semesters. The last semester I'm on my own.

But you have compelling and good reasons to go the ADN to RN to BSN route. I'd be hesitant to give up that spot as they are hard to come by and BSN spots are harder still.

Good luck in whatever you do.

shirleyTX · Apr 17, 2005

I don't understand the previous reply about getting the BSN is one semester more than ADN? This moght be true when it comes to nursing, but the prereq's are alot longer. I had to have 60 credit hours to get into the BSN program. I will graduate nursing school with another 60 credit hours, so getting the BSN is alot more than just one more semester.

Another thing, if you wait more than I think 5 years to get your BSN, you might have to retake some classes. I know at UT, all sciences have to be less than 5 years old, so if you think you'll get back quick it's no problem, but wait to long you could be redoing courses. IMHO, if you donot won't to pursue a MSN, than there is really no reason you need a BSN. like I said, thats just my opinion.

glascow · Apr 17, 2005

If you have the time and can do it, go for the BSN now! I initially went for ADN with plans to return for my BSN "immediately" after finishing the ADN program. I just wanted to go the quickest route to get my RN and start making $$$, and be independent (I was 17 yrs old when I made that decision)!

I graduated with my ADN in 1992, and it took me until 1999 to get my BSN. What happened? Life got in the way. Priorities changed. I got married, had a baby, bought a house, etc...There was not much incentive to go back to school, I was already making good money, and getting my BSN was no longer a top priority. Although it was always one of my goal, because I wanted to go for my Master's degree and needed the BSN.

punnit_square · Apr 17, 2005

...............as opposed to later, after you become an RN through an ADN program? I was looking to go ADN and then do the employer paid route to BSN. I have seen posts from many experienced nurses on here saying that if you have the time and the money, get the BSN now. Why?:uhoh21:
I am scheduled to enter ADN program in July, but already have many community college credits. I saw an advisor at a local university and she told me that I could go BSN and graduate one semester later than if I went ADN (16 mo program). That would graduate me with a BSN instead of the two AA degrees I will have after the ADN program. Of course, university tuition is much more $$, but at this point would cost me less than $10,000.
If you think I should go bachelors now, tell me why. I can tell you that I see myself doing something other than bedside care one day, with nursing forensics, legal nursing, and nursing research all looking appealing.
I want to know the opinions of experienced nurses. What do you wish you had done or would you do anything differently?
Thank you all!

My practicum instructor said his BSN and MSN were actually easier than the ADN. It is all up to you. Do you need to work? You can get your BSN within a year after graduating with an ADN. Also, from what I am told, the ADNs come out with more skills INITIALLY than the BSNs but then within 3 mos, the BSNs are par with the ADNs skills wise. It is a personal decision. BUT, remember, it is often easier to transfer into a 4 year school once you have completed 2 years---you prove yourself.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2005

Out of high school, my plan was to get my BSN. I now have a scholarship for an ADN. That is the only reason I am doing the ADN.

The BSN is only for my own piece of mind, I guess. That is what I set out to do in the first place. I "PLAN" on doing the RN-BSN soon after because I don't want to repeat courses (already doing that to boost my GPA.)

Good luck in whatever you decide. :)

rach_nc_03 · Apr 17, 2005

Out of high school, my plan was to get my BSN. I now have a scholarship for an ADN. That is the only reason I am doing the ADN.
The BSN is only for my own piece of mind, I guess. That is what I set out to do in the first place. I "PLAN" on doing the RN-BSN soon after because I don't want to repeat courses (already doing that to boost my GPA.)
Good luck in whatever you decide. :)

If you're thinking of working in a field that requires a master's degree, look into RN-MSN bridge programs. You get a BSN along the way, but it's a lot faster than ADN-BSN-MSN. Depends on credits you already have, options in your area...but worth thinking about.

LydiaNN · Apr 17, 2005

I would say the best reason to do it now is because you can. No one knows what life holds. Life might intervene with your plans, and if you delay this, it might be years before circumstances are such that you are able to do it again. I think that there are a great many nurses on this site who can tell you that although they were able to go back and pick up their BSN "later", it would have been simpler to do it before they had other obligations that made picking up the degree that much more complicated. Especially since you've said you envision doing something other than bedside nursing in the future, I would recommend pursuing the BSN sooner rather than later.

Trauma Columnist · Apr 17, 2005

I wish I had done the BSN right from the start. I did the LPN to ADN to BSN to MSN but wish I had done it 20 years sooner. Life does get in the way! Good luck.

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2005

Ok, well, I say only one semester longer because I already have an AA degree. Within that degree are all of the nursing pre-reqs for the bachelors, minus 7 classes. That is why I have a certain advantage over someone who was just trying to meet the ADN program pre-reqs.

When you do the RN-BSN bridge, do you still have to take classes like Into to Psych? I wonder if some of the classes I am using right now as pre reqs (into the BSN) would be lost if I waited until after I got my RN. What I am saying is I would pursue the BSN now if I know that not doing so would cause me to have to retake classes in the future.

Biggest drawback is the wait. The advisor told me best case scenario, but they do not gaurantee positions in the program. What if I never got accepted? Would I just hang out with no degree?

The only classes I have left to take are:

Human Develop

Statistics

Human Patho

Health Care Ethics

Health Care Organizations

Culture and Health

Principles of Sound Reasoning

After I complete these I can apply for the professional nursing program which is 16 months. She did give me RN-BSN information too so I will look that over again.

Seems like the best way to go for the best all-around education is to do the ADN for the good clinical training and then the RN-BSN route for the administrative skills. ????

suzanne4, RN · Apr 17, 2005

At this point, I would go with what is a sure thing. You are already accepted into one program....you do not know when you would be able to begin the BSN program. If you need to wait another year to begin that, then you haven't done yourself any favor. Once you get your ADN and RN, your hospital will probably pay the tuition for you to finish your RN.................just get it done anyway that you can....... :)

live4today, RN · Apr 17, 2005

......................................................................
Seems like the best way to go for the best all-around education is to do the ADN for the good clinical training and then the RN-BSN route for the administrative skills. ????

Do what fits YOU best, and it is always better to initially go with what is doable for you. A sure thing is better than a big IF........so if you are sure you can get into one program regardless of which one it is, go for that one. If you have goals to reach a certain level for a certain job in nursing, you will keep going to reach those goals. If you don't, those goals weren't that important to you. :)

If I could go back with the knowledge I've gained about life at this point in my life, I would have gone to med school like I grew up saying I would do. Then, I would have joined the Armed Forces as an officer. THAT would have been the life. :)

So go for what your heart is singing. Only you will live with the end result of your choices in life. Be happy with those choices. You don't get to go back and do it over again.