Which degree is better for older student?

RainbowSprinkles · Feb 14, 2018

I truly think it depends on your financial situation, how much time your willing to invest, and personal choice. I'm a second degree student and initially my goal was to obtain a bsn. However, my finances are not allowing me to go this route. I just got accepted into an accelerated associate nursing program that last for 14 months, the cost is under 5,000. I already spotted a bridge program near me that will cost more less than 9,000. That's an estimated 15,000 for a bsn, you cant beat that. But, in my state like many, it is hard to get a job in the hospital as a new grad with an adn. Most hospitals prefer a bsn. So, I could possibly be forfeiting my opportunity to get into a hospital off the back. I personally don't mind, the numbers are too sweet to me. I plan on going back for my masters and I don't want to be in anymore debt. I already have accrued debt from my previous degree, vehicle, etc. Some absn and bsn programs can run you up to a 100,000k. On the flip side, an absn program can help you get to your goal quicker. It took me a year to do my pre reqs and I waited 2 years to get into an adn program, but thats because I moved out of state and application cycles was not matching up. In total it will have taken me almost 5 years to get a bsn. I think going the absn/bsn route at an affordable college is a great route for you. Lots of bsn programs allow you to just take upper division courses, if you have all pre reqs and a previous degree, which normally last for about 2 years.

Last but not least, don't put all your eggs in one basket. You stated you have a master, so I know your grades are up to par. However, nursing is a beast, depending on affordability and location of a school competition can get stiff. I've seen darn near 4.0 students get rejected. Think long and hard about it and see which route is best for you. Best of luck to you!

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 14, 2018

There is no one, right answer to your question. Which path will be "best" for you will depend on a lot of factors.

The factor that would matter most to me is the quality of the various programs available to you. I would almost always choose the path that took me through the best quality education -- that would give me the strongest foundation for future practice and study. I would not sacrifice quality for cost or speed. I would identify the best quality education and then find a way to make that path work for me.

Accolay · Feb 21, 2018

Do you want your MSN as in a Nurse Practitioner program? Or do you mean since you have prior degrees just do a MSN = RN?

Not to dissuade you, but how do you know you want to get your MSN yet? As others have already stated, a lot can happen to force you to change your plan. There are a lot of variables. Getting into a program isn't always guaranteed. Money/debt can be a problem.

To answer your question: see what school you can get into first. That might determine if you get your RN with a Diploma or ADN or BSN or MSN and then go from there.