ADN or BSN...how much does it really matter?

U.S.A. Washington DC

Published

Hello everyone. I am not a nurse yet but rather applying to get in to a nursing program. My original plan was to just get my ADN, make contacts, and get a job upon graduation so I could start earning money sooner. Now I am worried I will have trouble getting a job without the BSN in this economy/job market. I am hoping to go into L&D, OB, PICU, NICU...you see the idea. I hope to go back for a BSN or RN-MS later on with the financial assistance of my employer. I'd appreciate any feedback from nurses who have taken different paths as well as those in charge of hiring.

Thanks so much!

Nikki

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

It matters more now than it did 5 or 10 years ago.

Will you still be able to find a job as a floor nurse with an ADN? Probably.

However, you may not want to discount the possibility that you may not want to do floor nursing for your entire career.

When I became a nurse, I just KNEW I wanted to just be a floor nurse. Five years later, I'm looking for work outside of the floor. And I'm finding that not having my BSN has closed a lot of doors for me.

I think getting an ADN and then enrolling in an RN-BSN program is a great option for many people, but I would recommend to ANYONE that you go for your BSN, however you choose to do it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

It really depends on the market where you are. Around here there is only one major BSN program, so entry level positions are taken by ADNs and RNs. The facility I work at advertises "BSN preferred" so the BSN gets the edge.

I would say that if the market is tight where you are and you have the time and means, go ahead and get your BSN now. It might help you get an entry level position, but it will also serve you well in the future as you age and want to get away from floor nursing and do other things.

All the best.

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Thanks! What exactly do you mean by floor nurse? I assume you just mean working on the floor taking care of patients one on one?

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.
Thanks! What exactly do you mean by floor nurse? I assume you just mean working on the floor taking care of patients one on one?

Floor nursing is basically Med/Surg nursing. Anyone not in a specialty area such as ICU, ER, Post-op, step down, L&D, ect is considered a "floor nurse."

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The job postings I've been seeing around here don't specify BSN. They just require a year or two of experience. I am in the DC metro area and am 36 years old...if that helps direct any advice.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

At 36, I can understand the desire to get to work quickly, so the ADN might be a good option, and you can always get the BSN through a bridge program. Sometimes though with pre-reqs etc. BSN schools take only a year or less longer than ADN programs, but are more expensive depending on if you go to public schools.

Maybe you can hone in on some locals in DC and ask the same question here: https://allnurses.com/washington-dc-nurses/

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Floor nursing is basically Med/Surg nursing. Anyone not in a specialty area such as ICU, ER, Post-op, step down, L&D, ect is considered a "floor nurse."

Well, I work L&D and I still consider myself a "floor nurse". By "floor nurse" I meant working on a floor in a hospital (as opposed to case management, community health, nursing administration, etc).

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Thanks, I just posted over there as well. I was told it would take me a semester longer than the ADN but with the additional prereqs I need, the way the app deadline works, and the BSN program curriculum, I am looking at another year...assuming I get accepted on my first attempt. I should mention, I do have a BA in another field.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Have you checked into "accellerated BSN" programs....they only take those with a bachelor's degree in another field and fast track to an RN in one year. But it's very intense. Just another of the dozens of things to think about. :)

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My advice is to go straight for the BSN, not the ADN. This is coming from someone who just graduated with an ADN and already has a Bachelor's in a different subject. The Chicgoland area is flooded with nurses, nurses with experience, nurses with MSN's, and nurses with Bachelors and ADN nurses. Who would you hire for the same money? I am 44, and all I wanted to do was direct patient care on the floor. I did not aspire to go into Management etc. so I was told to go the ADN route. 3.5 years later (1.5 years of pre-req's) the area is flooded with nurses and no one will hire an ADN without several years experience. Had I gone the BSN route, I'd be finishing up at the same time. Now I need to continue with the RN-BSN degree, it will be at least 18 more months and around $19,000 for a state school. My advise to you would be go the BSN route, get a job as a CNA so you will have your foot in the door when you graduate.

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I saw one program for CNL but that was it. And I would still need to take these other prereqs. Otherwise, I'd be looking at the VERY expensive schools like Georgetown, Hopkins, etc.

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