What to do - ADN vs. BSN vs. forget about it!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2009

With how old your sciences are, you might be looking at retaking them. My school has a 5 year expiration on Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology, and honestly I've forgotten so much from those classes in a year I think you might even want to retake those courses to make sure you know the info.

Have you considered direct entry MSN programs? Since you have a Masters already, are interested in leadership positions and have thought about being a PA, maybe going straight in to a nurse practitioner role might be the way to go?

Also, are you near state schools of community colleges? I've been taking all my prerequisites at a community college, and had the option of doing their nursing program as well which would have been a very cheap way to go. I'm going to another nursing program, but had I stayed at the community college it would have taken me 2 years part time for nursing school since I'd taken all the sciences over the past year and a half. The sciences were prerequisites for other schools but are integrated in to the nursing program at the community college.

Since you have a family to balance and are worried about neglecting them, maybe a cheaper, slower track would be better than trying to do an accelerated, intensive (and generally expensive) program.

vwde · Jun 14, 2009

I think you should def. do it (nursing), first of all. Your kids and hubby will support it if it's what you want. And the one thing I know about life is you should never go through it wishing, but doing. Second, I just got into an accelerated BSN (12 month) program with a prior BA and some prereqs. However, they would've let me in with a Master's and the prereqs just as well. I think, if you can find a school for an accelerated BSN in your area (12 or 15 month program), that is DEFINITELY the way to go. Giving yourself 12 full months for a higher program is much better than some part time 2 year ADN. I contemplated the same decision until I started reading the boards here and talking to nurses. Also, I started searching for jobs in the area and the majority of them, for any decent money or job, wanted a BSN minimum.

Think about all the good you could do in the nursing community with all of your prior experience! Don't go halfway (ADN), go all the way (BSN). Then you could go straight into an MSN part-time after that if you want.

j450n, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 14, 2009

Considering your circumstances, I would opt for an ADN. It's the most inexpensive, economical route and that way, if nursing really isn't your niche...then it wouldn't be a total loss because you didn't throw down a fortune for many of those accelerated BSN programs. I think your MPH will compliment your RN degree just fine and getting a BSN would just be an added bonus. Goinig for a direct-entry master's program is a bit daunting because many make you choose a specialty/track.

Good luck with your nursing endeavors!

Diver Dude · Jun 14, 2009

Giving yourself 12 full months for a higher program is much better than some part time 2 year ADN. I contemplated the same decision until I started reading the boards here and talking to nurses. Also, I started searching for jobs in the area and the majority of them, for any decent money or job, wanted a BSN minimum.
Think about all the good you could do in the nursing community with all of your prior experience! Don't go halfway (ADN), go all the way (BSN). Then you could go straight into an MSN part-time after that if you want.

I have heard just the opposite from the hiring managers for nurses in California. I think this might be a bit of a generalization. A recruiter from a major network claimed that although candidates were "bragging" about their educations (BSN, etc) that she would politely congradulate them on their education and ask to see their license (same license ADN or BSN) and start them at the same 90k wage. This came from someone with a masters in management. There is certainly more opportunity with the BSN but your education is already beyond a generic ADN.

Also consider the school and the reputation. There are schools here in CA where the BSN has an inferior reputation to a Junior Colleges ADN. I know of an ADN who was hired in a demanding position at a major teaching hospital.

The moral to my story is every candidate is evaluated based on many factors.

mommyonamission · Jun 15, 2009

With how old your sciences are, you might be looking at retaking them. My school has a 5 year expiration on Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology, and honestly I've forgotten so much from those classes in a year I think you might even want to retake those courses to make sure you know the info.
Have you considered direct entry MSN programs? Since you have a Masters already, are interested in leadership positions and have thought about being a PA, maybe going straight in to a nurse practitioner role might be the way to go?
Also, are you near state schools of community colleges? I've been taking all my prerequisites at a community college, and had the option of doing their nursing program as well which would have been a very cheap way to go. I'm going to another nursing program, but had I stayed at the community college it would have taken me 2 years part time for nursing school since I'd taken all the sciences over the past year and a half. The sciences were prerequisites for other schools but are integrated in to the nursing program at the community college.
Since you have a family to balance and are worried about neglecting them, maybe a cheaper, slower track would be better than trying to do an accelerated, intensive (and generally expensive) program.

Thanks, I've considered that too. As for the MSN entry route, never thought about it actually...I'll take a look at what's in my area. The A&P I was so long ago and the schools I've been looking into seem to not have a problem with it but you're right, it may be good to just take it over and show recent knowledge competency in A&P which is such a critical piece of knowledge for nurses anyway. Thanks again for your input!

mommyonamission · Jun 15, 2009

I think you should def. do it (nursing), first of all. Your kids and hubby will support it if it's what you want. And the one thing I know about life is you should never go through it wishing, but doing. Second, I just got into an accelerated BSN (12 month) program with a prior BA and some prereqs. However, they would've let me in with a Master's and the prereqs just as well. I think, if you can find a school for an accelerated BSN in your area (12 or 15 month program), that is DEFINITELY the way to go. Giving yourself 12 full months for a higher program is much better than some part time 2 year ADN. I contemplated the same decision until I started reading the boards here and talking to nurses. Also, I started searching for jobs in the area and the majority of them, for any decent money or job, wanted a BSN minimum.
Think about all the good you could do in the nursing community with all of your prior experience! Don't go halfway (ADN), go all the way (BSN). Then you could go straight into an MSN part-time after that if you want.

I like your perspective. I've also thought about it that way too. I know that whatever I decide I'll give it my all but I also don't want to waste any time and spend too many years on gaining an education! Thanks and congrats on getting into an ABSN program.

mommyonamission · Jun 15, 2009

Considering your circumstances, I would opt for an ADN. It's the most inexpensive, economical route and that way, if nursing really isn't your niche...then it wouldn't be a total loss because you didn't throw down a fortune for many of those accelerated BSN programs. I think your MPH will compliment your RN degree just fine and getting a BSN would just be an added bonus. Goinig for a direct-entry master's program is a bit daunting because many make you choose a specialty/track.
Good luck with your nursing endeavors!

You gave the same advice (minus the MSN program info) that my husband gave and I can understand that side to things too. Especially since our financial situation isn't too rosy right now with just one of us working. Hmmm....so many options to contemplate...

Thanks for your input!

mommyonamission · Jun 15, 2009

I have heard just the opposite from the hiring managers for nurses in California. I think this might be a bit of a generalization. A recruiter from a major network claimed that although candidates were "bragging" about their educations (BSN, etc) that she would politely congradulate them on their education and ask to see their license (same license ADN or BSN) and start them at the same 90k wage. This came from someone with a masters in management. There is certainly more opportunity with the BSN but your education is already beyond a generic ADN.
Also consider the school and the reputation. There are schools here in CA where the BSN has an inferior reputation to a Junior Colleges ADN. I know of an ADN who was hired in a demanding position at a major teaching hospital.
The moral to my story is every candidate is evaluated based on many factors.

Yeah, that's what me and my husband were thinking too...that having the RN designation regardless of the ADN or BSN route will not matter, dependent on some jobs of course. My career recently has been in research administration anyway and I haven't really seen a differentiation on the ADN or the BSN when employers have been asking for some clinical knowledge as well.

I guess it's clear that my decision should be weighed on what I ultimately want to do.

Thanks for your help and insight. Much appreciated!

Diver Dude · Jun 17, 2009

One can never say it won't matter to all jobs... obviously. However any HR expert will tell you that a great nurse is a dynamic individual which is greater than the sum of his/her educational transcript.

NCphoenix · Jun 18, 2009

Hi again, I suggest finding your dream job and then working your way backwards - what do you need to do to get there? Talk to the recruiter and ask whether an MSN is required or preferrred. I would think that your MPH and an RN degree would be an ideal combination for county job, corporate jobs, health programs. My company would surely be interested in that - though they would like you to at least have a year or two direct clinical experience. I plan on getting my 1-2 years clinical experience and then re-evaluating where I'd like to go from there. Although I have a current plan, I don't know how I'll feel after working two years in a hospital.

Conclusion - I agree that an ADN is the most logical option at this point. You can always do an RN to MSN online later.

mommyonamission · Jun 18, 2009

Hi again, I suggest finding your dream job and then working your way backwards - what do you need to do to get there? Talk to the recruiter and ask whether an MSN is required or preferrred. I would think that your MPH and an RN degree would be an ideal combination for county job, corporate jobs, health programs. My company would surely be interested in that - though they would like you to at least have a year or two direct clinical experience. I plan on getting my 1-2 years clinical experience and then re-evaluating where I'd like to go from there. Although I have a current plan, I don't know how I'll feel after working two years in a hospital.
Conclusion - I agree that an ADN is the most logical option at this point. You can always do an RN to MSN online later.

I appreciate your input on this. I've actually been doing just that (working my backwards) because I want to make sure that I go the right route to get there. I've been toying with the idea of staying in research or going into something like managed care, quality improvement or infectious disease at a hospital level. I like the fact that there are those RN to MSN programs out there because I have also thought about possibly going into nurse education. I gotta say I like the options when I think about it but you're right, need to nail it down.

Just like you, I've been thinking that I want to do at least 1 to 2 years of clinical first (or even 3) since it seems to be the requirement for a lot of the jobs I've been scoping. But, as I told my hubby, I really don't know where that could lead me. I may actually like it and want to stay!