Which way to go BSN or ASN?

PMFB-RN, RN · Sep 30, 2010

Hello all,
My name is Tim and I am a perspective nursing student. I am currently a personal trainer and have always had a major passion for nursing and becoming an NP. So recently I have decided to go back to school and stop dreaming. So for the past year I have enrolled PT at my local community college and after this semester, I will have taken such pre-reqs as AP1, AP2, micro, stats, English 1,2, and Psych 1,2 and have a GPA of 3.0 hopefully a 3.4 by Jan. At this point in time I am trying to decide weather a BSN or a ASN approach woudl be best.
My current choices are ASN: CCM, Muhlenberg BSN: Ramapo, Seton Hall, Willy Paterson.
Any help / info would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

*** If your goal is to be an NP you might as well go directly for the BSN. You will have to go to a DNP (doctor of nurse practice) program to be an NP. You can do BSN to DNP with no need to do MSN. There are some good ASN to MSN programs out there but they won't be an option for you by the time you are ready to do NP.

Saysfaa · Oct 1, 2010

I've been trying to decide also. My conclusion is there isn't a best as an across the board thing.

The ADN is best if you need to start working as a nurse sooner, need a less expensive program, if employers you wish to work for prefer them (and some do), if you get more clinical hours vs the local BSN schools, if the program's prereq, acceptance, location, and class and clinical schedule work better for you.

The BSN is best if you will want further education, if employers you wish to work for prefer them, if you get more clinical hours vs the local ADN schools, the program's prereq, acceptance, location, and class and schedule work better for you.

An ADN followed by an RN-BSN bridge program sometimes after is also an option if the ADN works better except for the further education part.

Kangazoo · Oct 1, 2010

Thanks for the replies.

My thoughts on this is that if I have already taken the standard 2 year pre-reqs, why go to a ADN when I could go for a BSN? Unless there is some catch I am missing here.

Also, I have heard that going from a RN to BSN schools only take about 30 or so credits, and will in turn take almost twice as long as compared to just getting a BSN right off the bat.

caliotter3 · Oct 1, 2010

If you have the opportunity to attend a BSN program, go there from the get go. You will save time, money, and aggravation in the long run.

Saysfaa · Oct 1, 2010

Well, I'm in about the same place you are as far as classes taken.

The BSN isn't a no-brainer for me because credits are 1/3 as much at the community college as at any of the colleges offering BSNs. It is true that both are another two years but the BSN is two years of 14+ credits per term including summer and the ADN is 9 credits per term and no summer. So the cost in time and money during the two years is significantly different. Even if I do the bridge later, at least half of the credits would be done less expensively and with less commute, the other half with the same costs.

My kids are in high school and college. It is unlikely they will be around much during summers once they start their careers, so I'd rather soak up this time with them even if it meant I get the BSN a year or two later.

These are the catches for me; there may not be any catches for you.

ICU_RN_BSN · Oct 4, 2010

seriously, go ahead with you BSN..it will only take one year longer. If you want to eventually become an NP you are going to need your BSN first anyways. If you get your ASN you will have to then reappky to bridge programs and go through that whole process again which trust me, sucks! The application and waiting process twice- no thank you. Plus with all the pre- reqs you already have done it would be smarter to go into a BSN program.

Kangazoo · Oct 4, 2010

Thanks everyone, I am def leaning more towards a BSN now. It fits better into my schedule and I think if my goal is to eventually gain my NP, it seems foolish and a small delay if I get my ADN first.

Ill keep you all posted on what happens, thanks again.

iPink, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2010

I know of all those schools you mentioned. I actually applied to Muhlenberg and registered to take the TEAS V, but will not be going there anymore because I just got accepted to UMDNJ-ABSN program.

Go for BSN.

Kangazoo · Oct 4, 2010

I know of all those schools you mentioned. I actually applied to Muhlenberg and registered to take the TEAS V, but will not be going there anymore because I just got accepted to UMDNJ-ABSN program.
Go for BSN.

I was actually going to muhlenberg, but this fall semester they had an issue with clinicals scheduling. So since im pretty much off this semester, I decided to look into other possible options.

iPink, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2010

I was actually going to muhlenberg, but this fall semester they had an issue with clinicals scheduling. So since im pretty much off this semester, I decided to look into other possible options.

I visited Muhlenberg for the first time 2 weeks ago and it's very nice. But, I found it strange that they cost more in application and tuition fees than UMDNJ's BSN program. :confused: I applied there last minute because I placed all my eggs in one basket and got nervous towards the end. I should have had a little more faith, instead of wasting money on applying there.

Good luck in your search.

calli19 · Oct 16, 2010

Hi Tim

What kind of issue did Muhlenberg have with scheduling fall clinicals? I am starting their program in January, but really know nothing much about them other than they are an accelerated RN program and not a BSN program. Do you know if they have housing and where do they offer clinical scheduling?

By the way, if you can, I say go right for t he BSN. Are you applying as a transfer student ? Which schools are you looking at now?