Traditional BSN VS RN-BSN program

Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN · Jan 19, 2013

I think if you have the resources and the school's a convenient distance away, the BSN is the way to go, simply because in many areas, employers require it. It also works out, I believe, to less time spent in school. For me, schools offering BSNs are a longer commute. I'm also an older student with a family, and finances are a serious concern for me. Because of this, I made the choice to go for an ADN first and then bridge to BSN after I'm working. Lucky for me, hospitals in my area still hire ADN-educated nurses.

I've been a part time student for the last three semesters (taking one science/lab and one other course). I started school in Fall 2011, will start (God willing) the nursing program in Fall 2013, and will graduate with my ADN in Spring 2015. Had there been a BSN school closer to me, I probably could have had my bachelor's degree in just a slight bit more time.

Edited to add: I currently attend a Tech school which reported a 96.5% NCLEX pass rate in 2011 -- 28 of the 29 graduates passed our state boards.

sandi1743 · Jan 19, 2013

In my area (DC metro) is is very hard for ADNs to get jobs, many of the hospitals will not even consider them so BSN is the way to go. Plus it is a shorter amount time of time overall in school and if you want to go on to an advanced degree, you first need a BSN.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Jan 19, 2013

(1) BSNs are much more competitive in job searches in my area since all but one of the hospitals is magnet status.

(2) There is only one ADN program in my area (that accept 30 students per year who have taken all of the prereqs at that school vs. 3 BSN programs that combined accepted about 200 per semester.

Shorty11, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2013

In my area, some ADN's still get hired, but most hospitals are transitioning to either "BSN preferred" or "BSN required". I hold a BS in Biology. I am currently in the 3rd semester of a traditional BSN program. I already had many of my prereqs completed from my first degree and because of this it will take me 3 yrs start to finish to complete the traditional BSN program I am in. Dependent upon how many prereqs you completed with your first bachelors, it could take less than 4 years for you to finish a traditional BSN program. Best of luck!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2013

If you have an existing Bachelor's degree, I would not recommend either of these routes for you. Look into Accelerated BSN programs.

PalmHarborMom · Jan 20, 2013

There are many people that are doing an ADN program then going onto a RN-BSN program. There can be advantages and disadvantages either way. Considering that you already have a Bachelors degree, you may want to have your transcripts evaluated to see if all of your classes transfer over. I attend the University of South Florida and they have a 2nd Degree Sequence BSN program. It is very accelerated and the students complete the program in 4 semesters (1 being a summer semester). They bust their butts but get finished 2 semesters quicker than I will. The ADN programs in my area are 4 semesters long. The biggest difference is that they do not take as many credit hours per semester. So really you would spend the same amount of time and just have less work. One factor is the cost. The ADN programs at local community colleges have tuition that is half of what I pay ($115 per credit hour). My BSN program is $215 per credit hour. Both ADN and BSN programs at state colleges here in Florida are highly competitive. The for-profit/ private colleges in my area have tuition that runs between $350-$500+ per credit hour. The only advantage that anyone has going to one of them is that it is not competitive to get in but the crushing debt.

You have many choices available. Hopefully you will find one that works best for you.

elsaz · Jan 21, 2013

Yea.... I am also looking at the accelerated programs, but since I never studied in US, I am a little worried I can not quickly catch up....