Thinking of nursing, but want to do the education correctly...

loriangel14, RN · Jul 29, 2012

With more and more employers looking for BSN only I would say go for your BSN.Whatever degree already have will make no difference to an emoployer. They will look at what nursing degree.

Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN · Jul 29, 2012

You will definitely need your BSN a lot of jobs are requiring them or at least in the process of getting it, employers could care less about you being academically oriented they want you to have your BSN

KLBatchelor · Jul 30, 2012

I agree with the above posters but there is more than one way to do it. I've been keeping an eye on job postings in the area I want to become employed, and their postings state BSN or actively completing your BSN degree. I am in an ADN currently, when I graduate my plan is to apply for a position at a college that offers the degree online (or several colleges), and work PT while finishing my bachelors. Entrance into a 2 year school or 4 year is highly competitive so I would recommend applying to more than one. Good luck in your endeavors, hope this helps!!

daisygarten · Jul 30, 2012

I am going the other way-- I also have a BA and a Master's degree in a non-nursing major. I looked into the accelerated BSN and nearly changed the course of my prereqs to apply. But after I weighed the financial impact (full time, so I could not work during the day at all), time impact to my family (farther commute, longer days ect), but most important-- I talked to a number of local nurses. The consensus is that most area hospitals don't even pay ADN/BSN RNs differently, experience was the big factor. They all suggested I work as a nurse tech to get experience and network for future jobs.

Bottom line, the Hybrid program at a nearby CC will allow me to work 2-3 days per week and will have the end result of me as an RN in two years. Incidentally, the RN to BSN program is only 3 semesters--- so I may explore that more after I have some yrs of RN time under my belt.

Figure out your goal and do what's best for you!

~Jennifer

Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN · Jul 30, 2012

Look at what the employers in your area are asking for. In my area, many employers are accepting ADNs with no issues. I have an advanced graduate degree and my prospective employer is impressed to know about it, but it carries little weight in decision making as to who gets hired. Therefore, I am in an ADN program and have a job offer for when I graduate. I can always get a BSN online later, but I will be at work sooner with the ADN for now.

Stephalump · Jul 30, 2012

I am going the other way-- I also have a BA and a Master's degree in a non-nursing major. I looked into the accelerated BSN and nearly changed the course of my prereqs to apply. But after I weighed the financial impact (full time, so I could not work during the day at all), time impact to my family (farther commute, longer days ect), but most important-- I talked to a number of local nurses. The consensus is that most area hospitals don't even pay ADN/BSN RNs differently, experience was the big factor. They all suggested I work as a nurse tech to get experience and network for future jobs.
Bottom line, the Hybrid program at a nearby CC will allow me to work 2-3 days per week and will have the end result of me as an RN in two years. Incidentally, the RN to BSN program is only 3 semesters--- so I may explore that more after I have some yrs of RN time under my belt.
Figure out your goal and do what's best for you!
~Jennifer

I ended up reaching the same conclusion. Yes, hospitals are in the process of attempting to go "magnet," meaning many are only hiring 20% ADNs and 80% BSNs, but I'm willing to take that risk to be in zero debt vs 40,000 of debt. My school also has an early acceptance agreement with a great RN-BSN program, so by the time I've passed the NCLEX, I'll already be in a 12 month BSN program.

Will going this route bite me in the behind? Maybe. But I'm going to do everything I can to make it work!

VeggieBSN · Jul 30, 2012

Perhaps an accelerated BSN program? from what i know (according to the program in my area) the only pre-reqs you'd have to do is A&P, Micro and maybe Stats. Other then that, they'll transfer your previous degree's credits. Check out the schools in your area and see what they want. and of course ask hospitals in your area on their ADN vs BSN hiring ratio.

Lowry01 · Jul 31, 2012

I agree with the above posters but there is more than one way to do it. I've been keeping an eye on job postings in the area I want to become employed, and their postings state BSN or actively completing your BSN degree. I am in an ADN currently, when I graduate my plan is to apply for a position at a college that offers the degree online (or several colleges), and work PT while finishing my bachelors. Entrance into a 2 year school or 4 year is highly competitive so I would recommend applying to more than one. Good luck in your endeavors, hope this helps!!

I agree online is the way to go. I completed a bsn program and if I had to do it over again I would have gotten my associates and completed my bsn online while working. Many of my friends did this route and it worked out great.