What is the appeal of Associates Degree in Nursing?

What's the difference between a Associates Degree in R.N (nursing) and a Bachelors Degree in R.N (nursing)?

• Really now.. I plan to become a nurse someday and my two year community college offers the Nursing plan, as does the University here..the whole 4 years of Nursing school. I live in ...show more

• Answer:

  For you, it's not about whether or not the difference is a dollar more per hour, it's about a serious career move and job security for now! If you get your ADN first, you can work while you go to school, then as an RN(did anyone mention that we ALL take the same boards?!!), while you work on your BSN. You're not going to start off with any kind of administrative job anyway at first, anyway, why would anyone want to? Why would any department of nurses want a baby nurse administrator, "fresh out the gate", decision making, cutting their teeth on us seasoned(with pepper) nurses? Yes, the ADN program is more challenging because you have 2yrs(ok, 3 including your prerequisites the first year) to absorb 4yrs of information, however, the best thing is that you get more clinical experience in the ADN program to justify your theory, that is, you're not just all up in the books without the hands on experience to back up what you learned("As evidenced by...") Evidence based practice is the single most true concept, the essence of nursing, no matter how you slice it. I,too, am so glad I made the choice to get my ADN first, I was a 16yr old high school graduate, married,pregnant,(not in that order), not anywhere near financially stable enough to afford the BSN program,however, I knew I wanted to be a nurse from the beginning, and was determined to make smarter, permanent life choices for my future. Unless you're supersmart academically, and can get a scholarship, or Mommy and Daddy can pay your way thru, a guaranteed student loan is most probably your only other option, I know some nurses that are STILL paying that back, 5 years post grad!!Look, I'm not knocking the BSN, I got mine 5 years after my ADN. I was able to work/study during my program, the Community College or Junior college has very flexible course outlines to accomodate your needs, I was an emancipated minor,( the parents didn't throw me away, however I was Strongly Encouraged to learn to be responsible about adult life decisions that I made too early, AKA tuff love), a "non-traditional" student, an experienced RN by the time I obtained my BSN, (my Hospital paid for my continuing education, it's a paid benefit at my University Med Center), hey, I was 23yrs old, responsible,well educated, career job, financially stable, no big loan repay debt hanging over my head...most importantly, I'm an excellent nurse,now an educator (Clinical Nurse Preceptor),I have a heart for my profession, my patients, my orientees,I am a strong advocate for quality care. Your comfort level with whatever program you choose will be the most important factor in your decision making ability. Are you the provider for your family? Do you have to work while going to school? Will the cost of your education be a factor in your decision making? Stress level/money/time/daily routine; all factors to consider. I am a strong believer in higher education, a Bachelors Degree is definitely a necessary asset, however, it is equally acceptable, in my case, quite beneficial, to start with an ADN, remember, it's not all about the money you will make compared to the BSN, it's about the type of quality caregiver you will be,and, you can't make money to live on anyway if you aren't marketable and good at what you do( or if you hate your job, like alot of frustrated nurses I know) It's not ever easy,but it has become a labor of love that I still love, hope you choose to persue Nursing, whatever program you decide.