To BSN, or not to BSN

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · May 10, 2016

The number one factor for me would be the job market. If you're easily able to find work with an ADN, it makes sense to start there and upgrade later ...in most cases.

The exception would be if you're very young and able to go to school full-time without many other commitments. If those are your circumstances, go for the BSN right away no matter what the market's like.

Boomer MS, RN · May 10, 2016

I need expert advice from all you nursing grads! I'm confused as to whether or not I should pursue an ADN or go straight for a BSN. If I choose the ADN route, I'll start in the fall semester of this year. If I wait another semester, I can start at the junior level at a four year institution. Either way, I'll have my degree in roughly two years. What is the smartest option? I only have a handful of pre-BSN nursing courses left to take; one of which is required for admission to the upper division nursing program in the spring. I've heard the ADN to BSN bridge programs can be costly because you're not granted as much financial aid while you're working as an RN. However, ADN means you gain experience and better income sooner. Suggestions??? Thanks!

Go for the BSN.

llg, PhD, RN · May 10, 2016

If you are that close to a BSN, go for it and get it done. If you go the ADN route ... a lot of things could happen to delay your BSN and/or make it more difficult. Take the opportunity to finish the BSN sooner rather than later.

DTWriter · May 10, 2016

Really? Go for the BSN option! Nowadays, hospitals and the like are aiming for grad nurses with a BSN. Not an ADN, and, surprisingly, not a MSN (partly due to the confusion behind graduate entry programs, with HRs and nursing managers erroneously thinking that having a MSN equates to having RN experience when it is not necessarily the case, but I digress...). They are looking for grad nurses with a B.S.N.~

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · May 10, 2016

Are you saying .. you have two years to an ADN or 2 years to a BSN?

arb29171 · May 15, 2016

2 years for ADN, 2.5 years for BSN. I would have to wait an additional semester to start the BSN program though.

CelticGoddess, BSN, RN · May 15, 2016

Really? Go for the BSN option! Nowadays, hospitals and the like are aiming for grad nurses with a BSN. Not an ADN, and, surprisingly, not a MSN (partly due to the confusion behind graduate entry programs, with HRs and nursing managers erroneously thinking that having a MSN equates to having RN experience when it is not necessarily the case, but I digress...). They are looking for grad nurses with a B.S.N.~

This is totally dependent on where you live. In my area, ADN's are having NO problem getting jobs. I work on a fairly good sized unit and more than half of my co-workers (who have graduated within the past 2 years) all have ADN's. They are working towards their BSN's but they were hired. No where on the jobs page states that one has to have a BSN except in a couple of areas; wound care, diabetes education and admin,.

Boomer MS, RN · May 15, 2016

If you are that close to a BSN, go for it and get it done. If you go the ADN route ... a lot of things could happen to delay your BSN and/or make it more difficult. Take the opportunity to finish the BSN sooner rather than later.

Please listen to what this OP wrote.

And now I'm going to reiterate what I've written about here before. Why is nursing the only profession that does not require a graduate degree? (Digressing a little)...A bachelor's degree is not the same as an associate degree except that they both meet the nursing course requirements for the BON. The additional courses are beneficial for the professional nurse, just any more education is. Why some people do not want a bachelor's degree for their profession is mind boggling to me, especially since the BSN is going to be encouraged/required in the very near future. I don't like stirring the pot, but I am passionate about this and have been my whole life.

arb29171 · May 15, 2016

Based on my observations while working in the health care field, it seems a lot of nurses are mothers who would rather get their degree as quickly as possible without having to spend the extra time, money and effort pursuing a graduate degree. Acquiring a BSN can be very costly and does not provide a higher income. Management positions are few and far between and require more dedication. A BSN definitely makes you more marketable, but doesn't necessarily compensate for experience. Some of the most knowledgeable RN's I know are non-graduates who have decades of experience in various specialty areas.

I'm confused as to why hospitals are now requiring BSN degrees while claiming they don't have enough nurses to maintain a safe nurse-to-patient ratio. You would think if these facilities were understaffed, they would offer a better incentive for going back to school (higher pay or 100% tuition reimbursement). Seems like many hospitals are simply using the supposed "nurse shortage" as an excuse for not hiring adequate staff.

bumpme · May 15, 2016

If you live in California - BSN. Imagine not being able to apply for positions that require a BSN. You'll be regretting it....

Boomer MS, RN · May 15, 2016

Based on my observations while working in the health care field, it seems a lot of nurses are mothers who would rather get their degree as quickly as possible without having to spend the extra time, money and effort pursuing a graduate degree. Acquiring a BSN can be very costly and does not provide a higher income. Management positions are few and far between and require more dedication. A BSN definitely makes you more marketable, but doesn't necessarily compensate for experience. Some of the most knowledgeable RN's I know are non-graduates who have decades of experience in various specialty areas.

I'm confused as to why hospitals are now requiring BSN degrees while claiming they don't have enough nurses to maintain a safe nurse-to-patient ratio. You would think if these facilities were understaffed, they would offer a better incentive for going back to school (higher pay or 100% tuition reimbursement). Seems like many hospitals are simply using the supposed "nurse shortage" as an excuse for not hiring adequate staff.

First, there is no nursing shortage now. And while I know your comment about a lot of nurses are mothers and want to "get their degree as quickly as possible"may be very valid, there are also those who aren't mothers who are just plain want to "get their degree as quickly as possible." I have no scientific data, only anecdotal observation as you do. In the real world where I live, it takes time, money, effort and hard work to earn a nursing degree, or any degree for that matter. The fact that a BSN makes you a person more marketable is not my point, which is that a professional nurse should have a BSN. Although I have a master's, I am not convinced that a nurse needs a master's degree to practice. The direct entry master's CNL programs, however, are not beneficial, in my opinion. That new grad nurse is the same as a BSN or ADN b/c she/he has no experience.

Many of the ADNs I worked with were wonderful, and I learned from them. Everyone brings something to the table. Like everything today, it's all about money and the bean counters, some who talk out of both sides of their mouth. Some management positions in this day and age may or may not require a BSN, or even an MSN. Few and far between or not, management position nurses are caught between a rock and a hard place. I am familiar with some of the literature about better outcomes for patients with a BSN. Hospitals don't care. Again, it's all about money and reimbursement.