Associate degree or Bachelors for Nursing?

Question

I'm 15 now, but I think about what I want to do with my life a lot. I know I want to go into the medical field, to become a registered nurse. Since I live in North Carolina, there are many many colleges to choose from. I can't decide whether I want to go to a community college, and get an Associate's degree. Or go to a four year college, and get a Bachelor's degree. Do you think a hospital would choose someone with a Bachelor's degree, over me if I got the Associate's degree?

Answer 1

LPN's do not only work in nursing homes, but it is true RNs are in more demand especially for hospital work It may seem to anyone not in this field that a 4yr education would get you farther in your career better pay and more jobs Actually as mentioned before, it makes very little difference in whether you get the job and pay is about the same and is more based on your years of experience. You must pass the same test whether or not you have an associates or a bachelors degree. You will generally have the same duties. Most of the actual skills that are useful are learned on the job, so the college is just a preparation for a tougher on the job learning experience which is similar to "baptism by fire". Nothing will be as it was taught in school and some dissillusionment is inevitable-causing some to bail out of the field.

The difference is if you want to get into higher management you will eventually need to get the bachelor's degree, though you may often be just working towards it while having some sort of management position...or if you wish to get a more advanced degree ,like a masters ,then you can get that bachelors degree first.
In reality you can get in your 2 yrs college ,get a job, then get the hospital to help pay for your education after that. There are programs to get you from your associates to your masters in as brief a time as possible. Just remember the job is back breaking and highly stressful and going to school concurrently will be daunting.
You can move to an ARNP or CNM(advanced registered nurse practitioner;certified nurse midwife) position if you get your masters, givnig you more options for an out -of- hospital job with better hours and working conditions,perhaps.Midwives dont always choose to do deliveries ,often do the office work.

Answer 2

No, you will always, always be able to get a job with an associates degree in Nursing. They will not choose a bachelors degree over your associates unless they need supervisors at that time. There are so many ads in the paper for nurses with associates degree its mind boggling. With a Bachelors you can be a supervisor or teach at a college. Associates is enough, but with a bachelors you will make more money with more responsibility. LPNs work at old folks homes. RNs can work anywhere a nurse is needed.

Answer 3

I have both. I started with an Associates Degree and worked a number of years in hospitals and nursing facilities. I went back and received my BSN, think it would make a difference. It did not. Diploma, ASN and BSN all work side by side making the same money. If I had to do it again, I would have gotten a bachelor in a related field but not nursing. Health care administration, public health, business management, something along those lines. It will make you more marketable. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

Answer 4

I think doing the Bachelor's degree would give you more options for your career and the ability to do some more interesting things in your work. I'm guessing the associates degree is the same as a two year diploma. This would allow you to do things like change diapers in an old folks home, clean bed pans and stuff that nurses with bachelor degrees don't usually want to do.

Answer 5

You can always do the 2 year RN course at your community college. Make sure it is RN and not LPN. Most nursing schools also have a long waiting list, so look into it now. After you have your RN and are making good money, you can always take night classes to pursue your BSN. I only say to go this route because it will only take 2 years for you to start working!