...............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?
In my hospital (and many others that I've heard of), BSN-prepared RNs don't get a penny more than other RNs.
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.
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?
Sheri,
there are programs out there where you can enter directly into an accelerated masters program. I did that and my whole program lasts 15 months...I have a BA in Psych/Soc...several schools in my area as well as surrounding states offer these degrees...as long as you have a bachelors in something...pm me if you want more details...
In Las Vegas, ADN and BSN staff nurses do not get paid differently. The difference comes when the BSN goes on to charge nurse, etc.
I'm finishing my third year for BSN. I went this route because it only will be taking me an extra 2 semesters to finish BSN vs ADN. BSN requires inorganic and organic chemistry, upper level psychology, statistics, critical thinking and some other general ed classes at the 300/400 level. If you start at the very beginning, for BSN it would take 4-5 years. For ADN it takes 3-4 years. This counts starting with basic biology and English 101. BSN also usually requires a 3.0 GPA in nursing prereqs. ADN requires 2.0 and some of the prereqs can be taken while in the nursing program. BSN needs to have all of the prereqs completed before acceptance.
As for the programs, I have a friend in an ADN program. Her program started clinicals in long term care doing basic aide type skills. My program started in med surg doing aide stuff, med administration, etc. I'm in second semester doing pediatrics, ER, ICU, step down, etc. She's third semester and just now doing pediatrics and OB and hasn't stepped in an ER yet. My BSN program does emphasize critical thinking, theory, management, research, physiology and pharmacology. Those are difficult concepts but are worth the time to understand because it makes nursing easier. The local ADN program doesn't seem to emphasize the critical thinking and in depth theory. They emphasize skills, but what is the point of knowing how to do skills but not know exactly why you are doing them? That is the big difference that I see between the BSN and ADN programs locally.
I'm a 32 year old single mom, I've taken off almost 3 years from work to finish my BSN. I know it will be worth it when I finish next May. I plan on starting my MSN in nursing education or community education after I graduate and get my 1 year experience. I don't see myself doing bedside for very long.
As for jobs that require MSN...my boyfriend has a Masters in Public Health from a very prestigious university. He has been working for a company doing healthcare analysis, quality improvement, HEDIS, etc for 10 years. He has applied for jobs that are exactly what he is doing now and he has been turned down because he doesn't have a BSN or MSN. Locally, if jobs say they want BSN or MSN, they won't hire anyone with any other degree no matter what the experience is. It used to be that ADNs could do charge and other admin type jobs. Seems to be getting away from that as more BSNs are coming around.
Overall, figure out what time you can take to get your degree. If you can swing the time for the BSN, go for it now. I had to retake several science classes because they were too 'old'. Time and money down the drain right there. I started out premed and then went in the military and the classes got old. Best bet is to just get it done as fast as you can. I haven't worked during school and it has been great to have the time to take care of my daughter and be able to study when I need to. My focus is school and doing the best I can do. It's worth it.
In Las Vegas, ADN and BSN staff nurses do not get paid differently. The difference comes when the BSN goes on to charge nurse, etc.
I'm finishing my third year for BSN. I went this route because it only will be taking me an extra 2 semesters to finish BSN vs ADN. BSN requires inorganic and organic chemistry, upper level psychology, statistics, critical thinking and some other general ed classes at the 300/400 level. If you start at the very beginning, for BSN it would take 4-5 years. For ADN it takes 3-4 years. This counts starting with basic biology and English 101. BSN also usually requires a 3.0 GPA in nursing prereqs. ADN requires 2.0 and some of the prereqs can be taken while in the nursing program. BSN needs to have all of the prereqs completed before acceptance.
As for the programs, I have a friend in an ADN program. Her program started clinicals in long term care doing basic aide type skills. My program started in med surg doing aide stuff, med administration, etc. I'm in second semester doing pediatrics, ER, ICU, step down, etc. She's third semester and just now doing pediatrics and OB and hasn't stepped in an ER yet. My BSN program does emphasize critical thinking, theory, management, research, physiology and pharmacology. Those are difficult concepts but are worth the time to understand because it makes nursing easier. The local ADN program doesn't seem to emphasize the critical thinking and in depth theory. They emphasize skills, but what is the point of knowing how to do skills but not know exactly why you are doing them? That is the big difference that I see between the BSN and ADN programs locally.
I'm a 32 year old single mom, I've taken off almost 3 years from work to finish my BSN. I know it will be worth it when I finish next May. I plan on starting my MSN in nursing education or community education after I graduate and get my 1 year experience. I don't see myself doing bedside for very long.
As for jobs that require MSN...my boyfriend has a Masters in Public Health from a very prestigious university. He has been working for a company doing healthcare analysis, quality improvement, HEDIS, etc for 10 years. He has applied for jobs that are exactly what he is doing now and he has been turned down because he doesn't have a BSN or MSN. Locally, if jobs say they want BSN or MSN, they won't hire anyone with any other degree no matter what the experience is. It used to be that ADNs could do charge and other admin type jobs. Seems to be getting away from that as more BSNs are coming around.
Overall, figure out what time you can take to get your degree. If you can swing the time for the BSN, go for it now. I had to retake several science classes because they were too 'old'. Time and money down the drain right there. I started out premed and then went in the military and the classes got old. Best bet is to just get it done as fast as you can. I haven't worked during school and it has been great to have the time to take care of my daughter and be able to study when I need to. My focus is school and doing the best I can do. It's worth it.
Good luck in your decision.
I agree, no matter what any one says ADN/BSN no knowledge is EVER wasted!!!!! Go for the BSN! as for ADN programs "being better at preparing you" as someone said in an earlier post...i dont know how anyone can make that generalization unless they have actually attended every ADN or BSN program...besides might as well do it now and get it out of the way, that way if you want the option for prof. growth after a year or so of experience a BSN can offer you that and you wont have to worry about going back! Good Luck!
HillaryC, RN, CRNA
202 Posts
In my hospital (and many others that I've heard of), BSN-prepared RNs don't get a penny more than other RNs.