Which degree should I go for?

I do not know of a student nurse who wouldn't like to finish sooner so that he/she can start to enjoy the paycheck! Heck, I would, too! If money dictates more than the extra year in school, then by all means, go that route. But if you opt to choose the BSN route like I did, you'll find that the last year in school will go by faster than you can say one, two, three!

In certain parts of the country, ADN new grads are having difficulty finding employment. Do some searches here about your area.

If you think you would like to be considered for a nurse residency in a specialty area, you will need the BSN.

I know over here in Texas it's give or take. I say that because I had 60 pre-nursing hours and I applied to both ADN and BSN schools. Well... I was accepted into the BSN school but not ADN. I was so confused but anyways...when you talk time in Texas... And in some other states ...some BSN/ADN programs are 2 years prerequisites and 2 years program no way around it. I did my research and that's why I accepted the BSN letter and I would do it again if I were to go back in time :) just see which school is a better fit for you. If you're in a rush do the ABSN. It's rigorous!!! But it is only around 16-18 months depending on your school. :) as time progresses they are making it hard for ADNs to obtain hospital jobs. Over here I did clinicals at a major hospital and it was nothing but BSN nurses roaming the halls. But if you're okay with non-hospital work or going back to obtain the BSN later then I say follow your heart. And remember nothing is impossible!

Good luck

I struggled with the same question for many of the same issues you mentioned, but ultimately came down on the side of doing the BSN right off. And boy am I glad I did. I can't speak for all nursing programs, but for me the ADN portion was a piece of cake compared to the second half of the program I am in now. In terms of time alone, it is so much more demanding and exhausting. There are endless group projects, community projects, and many more clinical hours. And research and health assessment have been brutally hard. Plus, the professors now expect you to be professionally prepared and are a lot more demanding. I cannot imagine trying to hold down my first nursing job while studying this hard. I am glad that I opted to grit my teeth, stick it out with my non-nursing job (where I have 10 years of seniority and thus flexibility) and blast through. As others have said, the difference is only a year or so. Doing it the way I am has allowed me to keep my day job, some sanity, pass the local Puerto Rico boards (we don't do NCLEX yet), study for the NCLEX, and pick up some part time hours as an RN.

Healthcare is changing, and it's expected that most hospitals are requiring a BSN degree to get hired, in the near future. Hospitals especially. So if you plan on getting a job at a hospital, it would be in your best interest to get a BSN.

10 years ago, it would have been more economical to get the ASN and fund the BSN with hospital tuition reimbursement.

Now the BSN is strongly preferred for entry level hospital positions in many parts of the country. Tuition reimbursement programs have been scaled back since 2008.

Look at the job market in your area regarding ADN vs BSN. As others have mentioned, many places are starting to go with BSNs for hiring. If you know you want your BSN in the long run, you may want to just go that way. I know many people that got their ADN and said they would go get their BSN, but then life (and their new RN job) got in the way. Some managed to go back eventually, but many never did. Now they are in the position of being forced to go back now or find new jobs because their employers want RNs with their BSN. On the other hand, you may also want to look at the quality of the program, specifically the skills you'll be taught in school. There is a thread going on right now about essential skills that new nurses are not learning in school (such as sterile dressings, foley insertions, and more). If there is one program that is better than the other in that regard, you may want to consider that as well. Good luck!