...............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?
Fraggle, would you say that an ADN would be a little less demanding than the BSN program? The reason I ask is because I want to get through this "career change" as painlessly as humanly possible. Many people say the demands are the same (BSN vs. ADN) but after reading what you said, it sounds like that may not be the case. I don't plan to work once I enter clinicals this fall either way, but I still fear the stress of these programs and want the best chance of sucess.
I wouldn't say that an ADN is less demanding than a BSN. As I have said in a previous post, my instructor took the ADN to BSN to MSN route and he said the ADN was a lot harder for him as well as more demanding than the BSN or even the MSN. Mind you, ADN and BSN learn the same skills. BSN is higher level of theory (and more of it). ADN has theory and critical thinking as well BUT also stresses skills. Your best bet would be to meet with someone in the nursing department of both the ADN and the BSN program.
I'll just say that it's definitely EASIER to just get your BSN from the start. If you're not worried about finances and it won't take much longer to do the BSN, I'd really just go for that, personally.
I've seen MANY coworkers try to go back for their BSN or MSN while working full-time (and many hospitals require you to work 36-40 hours per week in order to recieve tuition benefits). They are completely exhausted. If they have spouses or kids at home, it's even harder. Plus, trying to balance your schedule between work and school is NOT always easy. Most people I know end up either working nights and going to school all day (often going with no sleep for >24 hours) or have lots of troubles with their nurse managers for having such a strict schedule of when they're free to work. I'm just saying what I've seen. It's not as easy as you might think.
I've seen many nurses with an ADN regret not getting their BSN from the start, but I've never seen anyone with a BSN regret not doing a shorter program. JMHO.
I'll just say that it's definitely EASIER to just get your BSN from the start. If you're not worried about finances and it won't take much longer to do the BSN, I'd really just go for that, personally..................JMHO.
:yeahthat: The key points in the above poster's thoughts are: (1) you are not worreid about finances (2) it won't take much longer to do the BSN
Since money isn't an issue for you (as it is for many many college students), then go for what you want. You at least have that advantage over those students who don't have the finances to choose as you do. :)
I can't say money is not an issue at all, I guess I just feel like I am in a better position than most. Honestly, I don't know for sure.
I can't give up a for sure spot. The BSN program is not gauranteed and I currently have no spot, haven't even applied. So.....ADN it is. Thank you all for helping me sort it all out. I would like my BSN one day, but it will be through the RN-BSN route.
I think it's demanding in a different way, not less. For me, I just didn't feel up to the BSN theory requirements at the time. I knew skills would be a focus for me and I wasn't comfortable making the leap and possibly not doing well again. Coming from a university program, I would say the actual theory work in my ADN was a little easier, or more straightforward b/c it's not 5 different subjects and course schedules at once, but all combined into one or two courses per semester. But I'm coming from a Big Ten Engineering program :chuckle . My basis might be a little off.
If you can afford to do BSN (and there is a lot of financial aid out there for good grades) and can fit the schedule, go for it. If you go ADN and think you won't be able to do the BSN or MSN later w/o a hectic work schedule, go for the BSN now.
If I were going to do it all over again, there is a good chance I would go BSN and work part time. I could do it (in hindsight), but either route was going to work for me. Which is all to say it's a very individual decision. I do wish I was getting the BSN sometimes. AIf you're going to regret it, get the BSN now. And BSN and ADN programs vary widely, so you need to work out the options and be realistic. There are a lot of people who can't work during either program and some who do 40 hours for either.
Whichever way you go, neither is easy. So choose the one that best fits your needs, so at least you can be happy. Being happy in nursing school goes a long way!
Fraggle, would you say that an ADN would be a little less demanding than the BSN program? The reason I ask is because I want to get through this "career change" as painlessly as humanly possible. Many people say the demands are the same (BSN vs. ADN) but after reading what you said, it sounds like that may not be the case. I don't plan to work once I enter clinicals this fall either way, but I still fear the stress of these programs and want the best chance of sucess.
I can't say money is not an issue at all, I guess I just feel like I am in a better position than most. Honestly, I don't know for sure.
I can't give up a for sure spot. The BSN program is not gauranteed and I currently have no spot, haven't even applied. So.....ADN it is. Thank you all for helping me sort it all out. I would like my BSN one day, but it will be through the RN-BSN route.
I see a lot of threads about AD vs BSN but I was curious if anyone knows if once your out there in the field, how important a BSN is if you already hold a Bachelor's degree in another area? Are employers really particular about the BSN? What if your bachelors degree was in a business field and you have a few years of management in another area under your belt?
Having a bachelor's degree definately matters. The type of degree depends on the area of nursing you're looking at that requires a bachelor's degree. Someone with a computer degree and an ADN can probably get a good job in nursing informatics that requires a BSN. I know a coworker with a bachelor's in business who got into management with an ADN and is running now a director of a huge ER and other departments in another hospital, without a BSN.
So it is possible to advance your nursing career with a bachelor's in non-nursing. The BSN and bachelor's degrees gives you an edge in many job positions.
I just found out one of the local hospitals has nurse managers that are all ADN nursing (not the case where I work), so an ADN alone can get you far in some areas. But in a competive market, the bachelor's may give you an edge.
But the ADN program is as tough, stressful, and demanding as the BSN, imo.
Specializes in ICU/ER/corrections/public/home health/.
[based on personal experience as I am now in the RN-MSN get your BSN now esp if you want to do research you need the classes and saves you time and money later. It would help if we would raise the bar and make minimum entry as BSN such as pharmacists went doctorate. Nothing against diploma and ADN as I was one but to become a profession in this day and time you need to raise the expectation to elevate the profession And taking classes 20 years later costs way more
[based on personal experience as I am now in the RN-MSN get your BSN now esp if you want to do research you need the classes and saves you time and money later. It would help if we would raise the bar and make minimum entry as BSN such as pharmacists went doctorate. Nothing against diploma and ADN as I was one but to become a profession in this day and time you need to raise the expectation to elevate the profession And taking classes 20 years later costs way more
In some ways I agree that a BSN elevates the profession. But I also really like that nursing is more accessible as a career with multiple paths. It helps that we all take the NCLEX, too. I like the educational balance a BSN provides, but I think we do provide access w/o compromising having well-rounded nurses.
In some ways I agree that a BSN elevates the profession. But I also really like that nursing is more accessible as a career with multiple paths. It helps that we all take the NCLEX, too. I like the educational balance a BSN provides, but I think we do provide access w/o compromising having well-rounded nurses.
I was wondering if there is much of a pay difference if you have an Associates Degree compared to the BSN? Im leaning toward the Assoc, but not if there is a huge descrepancy in pay.
punnit_square
46 Posts
I wouldn't say that an ADN is less demanding than a BSN. As I have said in a previous post, my instructor took the ADN to BSN to MSN route and he said the ADN was a lot harder for him as well as more demanding than the BSN or even the MSN. Mind you, ADN and BSN learn the same skills. BSN is higher level of theory (and more of it). ADN has theory and critical thinking as well BUT also stresses skills. Your best bet would be to meet with someone in the nursing department of both the ADN and the BSN program.