What degree is better for an RN?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm just starting college and I'm confused on what degree to go for? Some say a BA gets you a job faster but more expensive. Others say an ADN gets you to work right away, gets you more experience. Are costs the same? So what's the point of 2 extra years?

I just want to hear some opinions.

Specializes in OB.

If you are able to do the 4 years now, do it. Life happens in the middle and then you may put it off and regret it. I wish I had done this 20 years ago. Now at 41 with 3 kids, a husband, house, bills and a PT job is a lot harder but doable.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

FIRST thing to do is research the hospitals and the job outlook in your area. Even then, there is a chance that they may change their hiring practices by the time you leave your program.

ADN and BSN programs are generally similar, from what I have seen in my journey. The perquisites are going to take about 1.5-2 years to complete. All general nursing programs and course work is about 2+ years. The difference in a BSN program is that there is a separate course for nursing research and health assessment, management and leadership, which goes more into the hospital economics, nurse management, etc.

For me, when I realized it would take the same amount of time to get the BSN and the ADN, it made sense to me to get the BSN. I had to take more critical thinking courses like philosophy and religion was required at the college I attended, but those 4 courses (both required a 100 and 200 level) helped me with thinking, communicating and decision making concretely and theoretically.

It just made more sense to me to get the BSN.

Another thing to do is to look at the coursework required, and choose classes that will help in critical thinking, cultural aspects and psychosocial aspects...theses were perfect for building a base as a critical thinker. Make sure you are not fulfilling a colleges' quota, but the classes are significant for your educational base and transferable to any program in your area, especially if you decide to go the ADN route, and you plan to further your education; you will need these courses for the BSN and beyond.

Make sure you make the best decision based on circumstances and the best for becoming a well rounded professional. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
i think it is also where you live at that would determine whether or not you need a BSN over an ADN... Here in Pennsylvania almost all hospitals are only taking NEW nurses with a BSN unless you already worked there as something else or you must be back in school to get your BSN because they are becoming MAGNET hospitals so it is really hard to get in with ADN. Probably would be best you go the extra 2 years because you will be able to decided where you want to go verses taking a job you really don't want. Good Luck with whatever you decide :shy:

^This...

Even hospitals with no desire to have a Magnet are BSN "preferred"...

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Specializes in Oncology, Critical Care.

If you have no medical experience I would recommend a ADN, due to the fact that within a month of classes you would know you want to be a nurse or not to be a nurse, where as a BSN means the first 2 years are spend doing pre-reqs at a generally higher cost than a community college and may hate the field (in which you just spent say $30k and have nothing to show for it). Plus the ADN you can go back to do a 2+2 and finish your BSN online. You have options, bust most employers will hire a BSN over an ADN, so its worth it to start a 2+2 program, and tell the employer you will have a degree within 2 years of being hired.

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Specializes in LTAC, ICU, ER, Informatics.

I recommend to anyone starting out, if you can at all, get the BSN. But, I second the poster above who said research your area hospitals. In my area, they're moving quickly to BSN only for new hires.

However, if time/money/whatever prevent you from doing the BSN, get your Associate's and just plan to bridge ASAP. That's the route I had to take because I had to work full time through nursing school, and it's working out OK.

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yeah thats what im going to do. thanks

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whats the difference?

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Go for the BSN.

I spoke with an ADN-prepared nurse today who has been employed for 15+ years at her facility. She had applied for a transfer to a different unit and was informed that without a BSN, she would be considered with lower priority than those with BSN degrees (or enrolled in BSN programs). This facility is applying for Magnet in the next few years.

While having a BSN degree has mattered to get your foot in the door and get hired the first time, now not having a BSN is holding her back from a lateral move to a different department.

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I'm in the Maryland/DC area and all major hospitals here are BSN preferred. My Aunt, who has worked at a major hospital for 15 years, is an ADN RN and can't move up to a managing position, or move to a different department because she's bumped below BSN nurses.

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