I googled and googled about my question and found this site, hopefully you guys can help me decide what I should do. I am a full time college student at a 4 year university on the pathway of getting my BSN. I just recently transferred from another 4 years university so that I could apply to the nursing program at the university I am at now.
Since I failed, made C’s in a few of my pre-req courses, and still have a couple more pre-reqs to take; my advisor recommended that I apply to the nursing program in Fall 2016. Thus, allowing me to graduate in 2018.
So my question is would you recommend I take the rest of my pre-reqs at the university I am at now and apply to an ASN program at a local community college. Then work as a RN with a ASN for a while and go back to get my BSN? Or should I just stick it out at my university and just graduate in 2018 as an RN with a BSN?
-Levy
This video below may help others as well:
Jamie says
September 4, 2014 at 9:34 amLevy,
Personally, I think you should try to get the ADN and then go back for the BSN while you are working as a RN. I think this because from what it sounds like you have already completed some college preqs. and 2018 is a whole 4 years away. You could be working at least making some money while getting the BSN.
But that is what I think.
S.L. Page says
September 4, 2014 at 9:49 amHey Levy!
Great question! So glad you found the site and I hope you find it very useful. It has a lot of study tools, care plans, quizzes etc to help you during your journey through nursing school.
In regards to your question, you have to ask yourself “What do I want to do with my nursing career?”. Do you plan to work as a staff nurse for 5 years and then get an advanced degree such as a Master? or Do you plan to work for a year or two and then go back for an advanced degree or may be enter into management?
If you plan on getting an advanced degree or entering management later on in your life…the ADN may be something you want to do so you can enter the work force faster. However, if you plan on working for 1-2 years and then advancing in your degree by becoming a NP, CRNA, nurse educator or even management…you will want to get the BSN (this will be a requirement for those positions).
As a side note, if you choose to get the ADN and go back later for the BSN later. You can usually complete this 100% online. Many universities are offering this as a online programs which makes it better.
Another thing I would do is look at the job positions at the place you plan on working at after you graduate. Some employers will only hire BSN nurses while others don’t care. I met a nurse who told me her employer only hired BSN nurses. So I would be sure to check this out. Many employers have their jobs listed on their website and the job qualifications are usually listed for degree requirements.
Lastly, I would look at where you are in life right now. Are you young still in your 20s and single? If you are like how I was, I completed my BSN and got it over with because I was young and didn’t have many obligations. I knew later on in life I would get married and have kids which takes a lot of time and effort and I couldn’t imagine trying to go back for my BSN later in life.
However, if you are older…this is your second career and you have a full-time job with kids…I would do the ADN. It is quicker and cheaper (usually).
Really it is totally up to you. Both degrees are great but it depends on what your future plans are and what you have going on in your life right now.
Please keep us updated on what you plan on doing.
Sarah 🙂
Soon2BeRN says
September 4, 2014 at 1:38 pmI agree with Sarah but what Jamie said was good too. If you are young I would just go straight through and get the bachelor’s degree. You will be happy you did when you are older.
However, if you are like me (42 with 2 teenagers) associates is the best. I plan on getting my associates and working for awhile. Then I will probably go back for the bachelors. If I had to do it over again I would have went to nursing school right after high school and got my BSN. But I didn’t.