RN - Associate or BSN

[Jen D]

I am so happy I found this thread, although it hasn't clarified my feelings at all! I am thinking about going back to school; was planning on a BSN. I am 14 years out of college; I already have a BA in English and a BFA in film... it's been a long journey since then and switching gears and going into nursing would be rather radical.

I talked to someone recently who has worked at lots of NYC hospitals... she said it is very hard now to get in NYC hospitals without a bachelors, unless you have lots of experience, which is at odds at what I am reading here. She said if you have an associates and lots of experience you'll have no problems, but entry level these days they look for a bachelors. This may just be NYC and she may be wrong, but I've been working on that assumption.

Some days I am very excited about pursuing this; other days I think it would be completely the wrong decision. It's a completely new direction for me. When I go back to school I'll be taking all those classes I avoided like the plague the first time around. That doesn't bother me. What worries me is going through the whole process and then feeling the same way about it that DVCgirl did.

Thanks for the info on allnurses.com. I'll definitely be checking it out.

 

[BethR]

That aside, I think that if I had to do it over again, I would be a PA(physicain's assistant) for several reasons. Less education than BSN, same pay or more, and more respect.

I hope that I am not repeating something that someone has already written, but I agree with mannasn - the PA programs that our DD applied to were all Master's programs - she has to take 2 full years in addition to her undergrad degree to become a PA.

DD actually said that if SHE were to do it all over, she would have gotten her undergrad degree in Nursing (instead of the Chemistry degree that she did get) and then would have become a Nurse Anesthetist. I don't know how much extra schooling for that though...

 

[mannasn]

Is that you manna from allnurses? I always enjoy reading your posts

I agree about checking out allnurses.com. Totally addicting just like the DIS Well not as much fun as the DIS but you get the idea

I will graduate in May 2007 with my ADN. It has been really difficult with a family. I plan to get my BSN after I start working (and let the hospital pay fro it ). Then when my 3 yo is older (high school age) I want to get my Master's and be a CNM.

Good luck in whatever you decide. I am pleased to see so many nurses and nursing students here at the DIS

That would be me! Here at DIS, by the time I joined "manna" was taken so I'm Manna, SN (student nurse)! LOL - Maybe I'll have to change to mannarn soon? Here's hoping!

Awww, thanks! You just made my day!

Good luck in your continued journey through nursing school! I think CNMs are great! Wish there were more of them. I've often adamantly said that the next time (if ever) I have a child, it will be in a birthing center with a midwife, not an MD!

My school has both a BSN and an ADN program - I will say that the ADN program has MANY more "non-traditional" type students than my program (2 out of 60 students in my class are > 25 years old).

 

[mannasn]

I hope that I am not repeating something that someone has already written, but I agree with mannasn - the PA programs that our DD applied to were all Master's programs - she has to take 2 full years in addition to her undergrad degree to become a PA.

DD actually said that if SHE were to do it all over, she would have gotten her undergrad degree in Nursing (instead of the Chemistry degree that she did get) and then would have become a Nurse Anesthetist. I don't know how much extra schooling for that though...

I think that's correct. Years ago, you could become a PA with less than a bachelor's degree. I think in recent years that has changed and all currently practicing PAs were grandfathered into the new system.

CRNA is a great field - so tough to get into, though! Rumor has it that CRNA school is becoming more difficult to get into than medical school! It usually requires a minimum of a BSN, several other classes not part of the nursing curriculum (organic chem, physics, etc) and at LEAST one year of critical care nursing experience. I just finished up my preceptorship in a busy SICU, and my preceptor was beginning anesthesia school next month! *jealous*

 

[mannasn]

Wow - check this out regarding PAs..

According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants -

What are the prerequisites for applying to a PA program?

A. PA programs look for students who have a desire to study, work hard, and to be of service to their community. Most physician assistant programs require applicants to have previous health care experience and some college education. The typical applicant already has a bachelor's degree and approximately 4 years of health care experience. Commonly nurses, EMTs, and paramedics apply to PA programs.

 

[plgrn]

I also waited until my family was more independent before continuing my education and decided upon Adn. The pay here in AL is the same for staff nursing. At this point in my life I was not interested in promotions, however I now work as a clinical coordinator and my pay scale is higher than the BSN staff nurses. I understand this is not the standard case, but it can happen.

 

[dvcgirl]

I am so happy I found this thread, although it hasn't clarified my feelings at all! I am thinking about going back to school; was planning on a BSN. I am 14 years out of college; I already have a BA in English and a BFA in film... it's been a long journey since then and switching gears and going into nursing would be rather radical.

I talked to someone recently who has worked at lots of NYC hospitals... she said it is very hard now to get in NYC hospitals without a bachelors, unless you have lots of experience, which is at odds at what I am reading here. She said if you have an associates and lots of experience you'll have no problems, but entry level these days they look for a bachelors. This may just be NYC and she may be wrong, but I've been working on that assumption.

Some days I am very excited about pursuing this; other days I think it would be completely the wrong decision. It's a completely new direction for me. When I go back to school I'll be taking all those classes I avoided like the plague the first time around. That doesn't bother me. What worries me is going through the whole process and then feeling the same way about it that DVCgirl did.

Thanks for the info on allnurses.com. I'll definitely be checking it out.

Well, you sound a lot like me in that you are looking for a change. I made the change pretty early into my previous career...it was a PR position...so much more of a corporpate world job and it felt empty. But I was in my early 20s and I was still pretty idealist about the world back then . I went to school at night...kept my other job and so I never had an income gap.

I *loved* nursing school...I will say that. I really did. If nursing could exsist the way that it was presented there, well, healthcare would be a wonderful thing. Unfortunately, it just isn't.... Also, when I came out of school there wasn't a nursing shortage yet. In fact, only two of us got jobs as hosptial nurses, and I was one of the two. I went right to a step-down unit and six months later I went to ICU, which in hindsight was just too fast. You burn out incredibly quickly there....and that's what happened to me. That and hospital management....what an utter nightmare. Endless committees, ridiculous paperwork. In our incredibly litigious society, the term CYA (cover your .....) was the motto for the hospital and therefore it began to feel like
we were made to spend more time documenting what we were doing than we had to actually spend with patients. Understaffing was a *constant* problem.

After being micro-managed to death during my years as a nurse I love the freedom that running my own business brings to me. And while I understand for some that nursing is a calling, for me the "calling" faded when reality kicked in. I have a great deal of respect for anyone who is a nurse. We always have conversations about how teachers, policeman and firefighters are underpaid, and that very well may be true. But I really do believe that nurses are the most underpaid, and underappreciated of all.

 

[baby1038]

I can tell you a little bit about the pay in my area. My friend is about to graduate with her associates in nursing in May. She just got offered a job at a local hospital. Graduate nurses start out at $27.14 and hour. Once she passes her boards she will get $28.14. If she chooses to work midnights there is a $4.50 shift differential. HTH.

Michelel

 

[lpbm4]

I have my ADN and I have been working on a medical/cardiac ICU floor since I graduated over 7yrs ago. BSN and ADN nurses are paid the same exact salary where I work. I've considered going back to get my BSN but I have 2 young children and I don't know if I want to be a nurse forever. It's a very difficult job and you can never get paid enough. I would like to teach but you need your MSN to teach and I would have to take an extreme pay cut for doing so. So to me, it's not worth it to go back to school. I personally would do your ADN, esp if you have children.

 

[paper1225]

Lots of thanks to all who have responded! This has been such a difficult decision to make for me! In todays working world, BA's seem so important in other professions-I was not sure what to do........but I think the ADN will be my path, then on to the RN to BSN once in the field. My DH will be so excited that I made a decision and did not badger him constantly to do it! I am really excited, but definately scared!! I think I will just start school, then see if I can flow into a pct job if I feel ok with it!

 

[mamalle]

I have my ADN and have no desire to get my BSN- it doesnt make a difference in our pay besides if you want to go into management- and their jobs arent always secure esp down here. I work per diem except for a few months when I got right out of school. I work in a ER, float to same day surgery ( just started that to cover vacations in the summer and when its slow at my other job) and work pacu in a outpatient surgery center ( lower rate of pay) I work when I want to not the other way around. I do 2 shifts a month in the ER and work about 20-24 hours a week in the outpatient setting. Im appreciated in the outpatient setting most of the time and some of the time in the ER. Experienced nurses are in great demand down here where the acuity is high and its not required to have your BSN. its hard work going to school but well worth it in the long run. I love the flexiblity and the pay. Im not sure what our starting pay is but we do have fulltime no benefits that is pretty high and our per diem rate is the highest in the county at $32.25. Im looking at a 7% raise in May.. good luck with your decision

laura- that is great that the starting pay is that high. I wouldnt thought it was that high up there..

 

[jenr812]

That is awesome that you've made a decision Amy! Best of luck to you and I hope to see all of you nurses/student nurses at www.allnurses.com

 

[jenr812]

I am so happy I found this thread, although it hasn't clarified my feelings at all! I am thinking about going back to school; was planning on a BSN. I am 14 years out of college; I already have a BA in English and a BFA in film... it's been a long journey since then and switching gears and going into nursing would be rather radical.

I talked to someone recently who has worked at lots of NYC hospitals... she said it is very hard now to get in NYC hospitals without a bachelors, unless you have lots of experience, which is at odds at what I am reading here. She said if you have an associates and lots of experience you'll have no problems, but entry level these days they look for a bachelors. This may just be NYC and she may be wrong, but I've been working on that assumption.

Some days I am very excited about pursuing this; other days I think it would be completely the wrong decision. It's a completely new direction for me. When I go back to school I'll be taking all those classes I avoided like the plague the first time around. That doesn't bother me. What worries me is going through the whole process and then feeling the same way about it that DVCgirl did.

Thanks for the info on allnurses.com. I'll definitely be checking it out.

Why don't you call some of the hospitals and ask them directly?

 

[MickeyMouth]

I think that you made the right decision. I graduated with an associates last May. I am sloooowly going for my BSN. I have been taking one class a semester online and I plan to start the 9 month RN-BSN program in 2007 or 2008. My starting salary was $25/hr. for day shift and I have already received a pay increase! I can't believe it has been a year already. I love Nursing!! Good luck to you!

 

[basketrn]

I was in your same boat. I recommend your ASN first. You can get school done more quickly, take boards, and start practicing. Then you can go back and get your BSN. I got my ASN (single mom or a 1 year old at the time) and am now completing my BSN 7 years later.

The couple hospitals I have worked at, there was no pay difference for ASN or BSN nurse. Not that being said, you need a BSN if you want to eventually do management.

Good luck!!

 

[kpsteffey]

I really advocate the BSN route if you can swing it. I originally graduated from a diploma based hospital program and the while working as an RN continued on to get my BSN and then a Masters in Nursing and am currently a Nurse Practitioner. With an Associate degree it will be very difficult to advance to all of the opportunities nursing has to offer. I am glad I got my Masters degree.
I do realize people have different situations so you have to do what is right for you. Good luck!!!

 

[bugbugmom]

Great thread everybody. It was nice to check with other RN's and future RN"s. Good luck to those taking boards. I'll have to check out allnurses.com. Thanks for the link.

 

[Jen D]

Why don't you call some of the hospitals and ask them directly?

Honestly, now that you guys have turned me on to allnurses.com there's no need. I've spent the last few hours diving in. I'm learning a lot and there is a lot of great info on the NY board. I've been looking for a board just like this one; thanks so much all! The info there is going to save me from a lot of mistakes I was about to make.

 

[babiesX2]

Another ADN here. I read page 1 of the thread and haven't gone any deeper.

My vote is for an AD. I have read this many times that the nursing curriculum is very near the same for ADN or BSN. The board test for licensing is the same. The only difference is pre-requisites -- BSN has more business/management type courses. This is what I have read.

 

[petrymom]

I am currently in a PART Time ADN program in our area. I have a 6 year old and an 11 year old and work full time. I am in the middle of a total career change and know that I would not have been able to work and raise my kids and go to school without this part time program. In December I will sit for my LPN boards and can start working as an LPN to get experience while I finish the RN program. I am on target to graduate in May of 2008. Such a long time from now, but I know that I am doing the right thing.

Good Luck in your pursuits!!!! You will make the right decision.