Would it be better to get a bachelor's first or an asociate's?

[Irena67]

I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of either getting my associate's degree at community college and working before pursuing a bachelors's, or just getting the initial general ed's done at community college and then transferring to a four year university to get my bsn. Money is definitely a factor here but is there anything else i should consider?

[muirite]

It depends on where you live. Where I am from an ADN may get you a job in a LTC but you pro won't make more than $1 more than an LVN. While working on BSN. Which brings another problem you won't be a new grad when you get your bsn.

It's a tough decision.

[AJJKRN]

My area continues to hire ADN's into acute care but now with a catch of getting a BSN within I think five years or you're fired (the wonderful perks of being at a Magnet hospital!). Really, really depends on your specific area and what area of nursing that you want to work in.

[Miss Infermiera2b, BSN, RN]

In my area, they do hire ADN's at acute care facilities and also require a BSN within a couple years (like the previous poster, I work at a Magnet hospital). Around here, ADN programs are much more cost-effective than the pay-to-play BSN programs, which have a poor reputation anyway.

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

In my area, they do hire ADN's at acute care facilities and also require a BSN within a couple years (like the previous poster, I work at a Magnet hospital). Around here, ADN programs are much more cost-effective than the pay-to-play BSN programs, which have a poor reputation anyway.

Same in my area. As others have stated, it depends on your location.

[chris21sn, BSN, RN]

Get your BSN. Most hospitals are looking for them now. Plus, you're more marketable. You also get it out of the way, instead of going the ADN -> BSN method. If it's about money, go to a BSN college that is cheap, while also working as a Tech, a Nursing Tutor, a CNA. Most of my classmates have done this.

[AceOfHearts<3]

A lot of hospitals in my area won't even consider you unless you have a BSN. The best thing to do is look at job postings for facilities that ideally you would like to work at. If they state you have to have a BSN then you have your answer.

[RainMom]

There are no traditional BSN programs in my area, nada. The closest is about 2 hrs away so most that go that route are straight out of HS & have help from mom & dad. Otherwise, the vast majority of nurses here go to one of several ADN programs & get hired in all areas of healthcare. Many continue to an online RN-BSN program but it's mostly because they want to continue on for management or advanced practice positions.