Which program to choose- RN or BSN

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I am in a pickle because I was accepted to both a local ADN program and a RN program at a university some distance away. The BSN program would start this fall and go for 3 years and will cost about $30,000. The ADN program won't start until January and only costs about $4000. The ADN program is only 2 years. So in essence, if I took the BSN program, I would only need one more semester after the ADN program was over to get my BSN. I know a lot of people would love to be in my position and there are downfalls to each choice. I would like to hear other's reasoning on which program would be the best choice? I need to make a decision by Friday.. the pay or get dropped date for the CSU program.

I would like to get a BSN, but am not aware of any RN to BSN programs I can take online. Any suggestions about good and resonable online programs?

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My doctor also says I should go to the BSN program.

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I am so confused about this---what is the difference b/w RN and BSN program? In my school RN is part of BSN program. We graduate with RN-BSN degree.

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Sorry for the confusion... the ADN (RN program) is a community college degree. It is still a RN. I can't edit my original post so hope this helps.

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Sorry for the confusion... the ADN (RN program) is a community college degree. It is still a RN. I'll can't edit my original post so hope this helps.

Every day I learn something new. I thought to be an RN was a 4 year program. I wasn't confused by your post I just heard it so many times before and never asked what the difference was between RN and BSN programs.

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i choose to do RN program at my local hospital and i was also expected into 3 BSN programs. The reason I decided to do the RN program at my hospital is because u start clinical right away and get alot of experience. People from hospital programs and even ADN programs usually come out more clinically prepared. BSN's are generally book smart but have less clinical. I was told that I cant get hired without my BSN but I believe that is false because hospitals wont have to train us as much as they would a BSN and I can get my BSN in a year right after while hopefully working. You have to do whats best for you and what you can afford because the RN-BSN online is also cheaper or you could even go right to the RN-MSN and kinda pass the BSN in some programs.

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Wow.. I am so glad you responded. Thanks for the information. Your post was so insightful and helpful.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

It depends on your long term goals. I chose BSN because I want to go to graduate school to become a Nurse Practitioner. I'm graduating in May and will start grad school next fall. Also, don't believe the hype about BSN grads having less clinical experience, as this is not always the case. My program actually has more clinical hours than the local CC. I am also working as a nurse intern this summer to sharpen my skills.

As far as the degrees: When you graduate from any nursing school, you don't get a "RN degree." You either graduate with an Associate degree in nursing (community college), or a Bachelor's degree in nursing (4 year college/university). Then you take the NCLEX-RN examination to obtain a RN license. Both degrees allow you to potentially become licensed as a registered nurse. Just wanted to clarify that.

Good luck with your decision...neither choice is better than the other, just make sure it lines up with your ultimate goals!

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go for the BSN. I don't know how I can stress it more. It's becoming preferred and sometimes required in some places. Especially if it's not too much longer, get a BSN. Just trust me on this one. After reading through job descriptions and seeing "BSN preferred" written in so many places... you don't want anything holding you back. You want to graduate your nursing program and get a great job, right? So get the degree that employers want to see.

IF you do end up becoming an RN and want to go back and get a BSN, I think Temple University in Philadelphia has an online program that people rave about.

I wish you much success!

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I am so confused about this---what is the difference b/w RN and BSN program? In my school RN is part of BSN program. We graduate with RN-BSN degree.

that's how it works in your school, but you can also become an RN through a certificate program or an associates degree program.

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I am going to get the BSN eventually. Thanks for the tip about Temple.

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Okay, I have to weigh in on this. ADN program= $4,000 and the BSN program=$30,000.

With this information alone, Im going to say go for the ADN first and then immediately after do the RN-BSN program. The RN-BSN program is most likely only going to take a year and be no more than $10,000. So why would you pay $30,000 to go straight to a BSN program when you could potentially only pay $14,000 if you do the bridge? Or you could bypass the BSN altogether and do a RN-MSN bridge if thats the direction you want to head in.

Starting with the ADN makes more sense to me financially. And another thing to think about is that after you finish the ADN program and take the NCLEX, you can start applying to jobs and get experience. So you could be working part time while in the RN-BSN program. Make sense?

Thats what I would do but to each his own. Hope I helped some.

Oh and FYI, pretty much every university that has a nursing program has the RN-BSN bridge.

Good Luck!

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