Which route do I take? ADN vs BSN

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Hi there, new here.

I am having a dilemma on which route to take on going to school. I am currently enrolled in pre-req classes at a community college. Beginning 2013 I intend on applying to the CC's ADN program. I want to feel like I have a good chance of getting in, but really, who knows? However I am really leaning towards going to Lenoir-Rhyne university and getting my BSN. I have been weighing the pros and cons of both - price is a big one. I am going to go the route of applying for both and seeing which program I am accepted into, but what if I am accepted into both?

Do you think it is more beneficial to go ahead with the BSN? I am 23 years old, so I would like to set myself up with room to advance in my career. I already have an associate degree in a field I thought I wanted to major in, but getting a full time job in it completely turned me off, which is why I am now going for Nursing.

What do you think, go ahead with the BSN? Even if I am accepted into the CC's program?

Might mention I am fully commited to this, but I am going to have to work as full time as it gets to get me through school.

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It's not an easy decision to make for sure. A BSN program is usually 4 years long and an ADN program is usually 2 years long. Take into consideration how long you would want to wait before starting your career. With a BSN you have more career choices open to you as well in terms of different areas of nursing you could qualify for. Also, with a BSN you are one step closer to a Masters degree if you'd want to go for any of the Advance practice nursing careers such as Certified Nurse Midwife. I personally chose an ADN program because of the cost and also the time frame for completion. I am 29 and I have a family, so I needed to be able to work sooner. You are younger than I am, so you definitely have that advantage. I do plan on continuing towards BSN and MSN but it will take me quite a bit of time.

Work out a BSN vs ADN list and just gain perspective. Look at what you really want to accomplish, and consider cost, as well as time and future goals.

Good Luck!

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Only you can really answer this question. ADNs are cheaper and shorter, BSN are more expensive, but you have more career opportunities. You need to figure out what is the most important for you at this moment in your life.

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I would go for the BSN. A BSN will allow you more options and you will be able to advance farther than you would be able to with an ADN. A BSN is preferred over an ADN for most registered nurse positions. Of course cost and time considerations need to be taken into account, but I think in the long run you wouldn't regret getting the BSN over the ADN, if your situation permits you to anyways.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

My ADN is costing me under $10,000. My niece's BSN is costing her about $100,000.

We're both going to earn the same wage, because we're both going to be RNs.

If I want to go on and get my BSN (doubtful -- I'm sick and tired of management at this point in my life!), I can do so part-time, online, with my employer offering tuition reimbursement. In other words, I'll have a BSN for under $10,000 out of pocket, while she'll still be paying off student loans ten years from now.

If you've got scholarships or parents who are footing the bill, go ahead and get the BSN now. If money is an issue, an ADN can get you started, and an RN-to-BSN program can take you the rest of the way.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
i would go for the bsn. a bsn will allow you more options and you will be able to advance farther than you would be able to with an adn. a bsn is preferred over an adn for most registered nurse positions. of course cost and time considerations need to be taken into account, but i think in the long run you wouldn't regret getting the bsn over the adn, if your situation permits you to anyways.

this depends on geography and facility preferences. in my area, adns can get floor nurse, school nurse, doctor office nurse, etc., jobs just fine -- it's only management positions that are limited to bsn-trained nurses.

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I didn't say they weren't able to hold those jobs. Just that BSN is preferred in many situations... Or at least it seems to be in Texas. I've searched many job postings out of curiosity and majority of the postings I have seen for jobs in Texas hospitals list under education requirements: "ADN required, BSN preferred." But yes I agree, depends on facility and geographical location. Just my observations. On a side note, not all BSN degrees cost $100,000. I will graduate with my BSN in two years. My tuition will total around $28,000 plus cost of books. (Public university) Yes it's a lot but I think it will be worth it, in my case anyways. I'd like to have the opportunity to advance far, possibly get my MSN in the future.

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It's really up to you and what job you think you want coming out of school. It is harder to get a job in some areas as an ADN and a lot of the hospitals in our area (Magnet status ones) want BSNs and are requiring all current staff to have them by a certain deadline. Some places may not have a difference in jobs between the two degrees or starting salaries If your area has jobs for ADNs and you are happy with them then that is an option for you. For me it would mean that I'd have to complete a bridge program to get where I need to go since I'm also considering advanced practice.

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Just as some previous posters said the decision is really up to you because there are a lot of factors to consider. Besides money, time, and long time goals to consider how many schools are you applying to? I only bring this up because I was also in the same boat as you less than a year ago trying to decide which route I should take. The more I researched the schools in S. FL I began to realize that if I got accepted to ANY program (ADN or BSN) I better be grateful! The university I was currently at last summer received over 900 applicants and only accepted about 75 students and that included the accelerated BSN program too. So for me my options started to become very limited. It was go the ADN route or apply to a private university and pay about $23K per year for the BSN program. I made the decision to transfer last fall to Broward College and was accepted on my first time applying to their ADN program. I deferred my seat to August and couldn't be happier that I made the switch!!! As soon as I complete the ADN program I will be returning to the public university that I left to complete the RN-BSN program. I won't have to worry about any competition. Not to mention if I enroll soon after I get my license it will only be about a year difference than if I would of went the BSN route. I will accomplish the same goals with less debt and a little more time. I obviously don't know what the school's RN program applicant to acceptance ratios are in your area, but it is important for you to find out. This may be a major deciding factor for you.

If you have clear long term goals and no matter which route you take you will accomplish them successfully! I wish you the best of luck as you make these decisions!

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Specializes in ICU.

You'll usually get a good mix of answers to this question, but the majority of them will be in defense of the poster's own decisions because people tend to try to justify their actions and no one likes to think they've made a mistake. Any decision you make should be made according to your unique set of circumstances, not someone else's.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

I don't know if your local ADN program has a wait list or a points based system but I would keep my options open. My application for my local ADN got withdrawn after I failed to take the TEAS V within the specified time (had taken the TEAS 4.0 but since I was wait listed for a while I ended up needing to take the TEAS V and wasn't mindful of deadlines) so when I reapplied to the ADN, I also applied to a nearby BSN program. I ended up getting into the BSN program so I'll be starting there in the Fall. For me it was a matter of where I got accepted first because I would've ended up getting my BSN either way.

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