Two-Year vs. Four-Year RN Degree, What Should I Do?
If you have been thinking about pursuing a degree in nursing, you have probably found out that there are multiple options available. Today let’s focus on both a two year and four-year degree. Students often ask which option I should pick. That depends on a variety of factors and honestly it is a personal choice.
I was not a traditional nursing student, meaning nursing was not my first degree. I went back to nursing school at the age of 24 and already had a degree under my belt. This also meant that when looking at programs, I didn’t have gen eds to take. I was fortunate to only need nursing classes to complete my degree. Over the course of 4 semesters, or two years, I completed a two-year RN program. When I sat for boards, I was taking the very same boards that a bachelor nursing student takes. There are no separate boards. RN boards are RN boards. Interesting fact to note is entry pay is the same as well. Whether you have received a two-year nursing degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing, when you work at the bedside you are earning the same hourly rate. It does not change based on your degree. If that is the case, why choose a four-year degree?
Well, there are certainly reasons, so let’s talk about those too! Many healthcare systems are looking for nurses with a bachelor’s degree. This goes back to Magnet accreditation and the push to have all nurse leaders obtain a BSN or MSN degree. Unfortunately, due to nursing shortages, staffing crisis, and a massive retiring nursing workforce, realistically many institutions recognize that it isn’t feasible to only hire BSN prepared nurses. They still hire nurses with an associate degree, and many institutions hire on the basis that a BSN will be completed within five years of hire. That means you have 1, 825 days from your hire date to complete a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, many hospitals offer reimbursement programs, meaning as you complete classes they reimburse your tuition fees. This is a huge incentive to go back to school! But guess what, if you are lucky to have graduated with your BSN, you can still take classes and work towards obtaining your MSN and still get tuition reimbursement! You would be crazy not to take advantage of this perk, plus those credits do count towards your annual continuing education to maintain licensure.
Why did I choose a two-year program? It is simple, I was tired of being in school and eager to begin making money and work as an RN. I had been taking college classes since 2005 so when 2010 rolled around I was very attracted to a two-year RN program. I was ready to make money knowing that when I was ready to start working on my BSN, I could begin taking classes and the hospital would reimburse my tuition. If I was younger or right out of high school, I would absolutely invest in a 4-year program, because personally I always knew that I would work to obtain my BSN and eventually MSN degree. There is always the financial aspect as well. We all know college is not cheap. Many people need to take the two-year option for cost purposes and start to work and make money to support a family. It is honestly all about your personal goals and where you are in your life. Your walk and my walk may look very different, and that is OK!
When making this decision, consider your long-term goals, think about what you need to do vs what you want to do. Do not let anyone make you feel like you are less of a nurse to obtain an associate degree because guess what, you are not! In fact, leave the opinions of others out of final decision. You have to do what works best for you. Again, whether you choose the two years or four year route, we are all sitting for the same RN boards 😊 Do your research, crunch numbers, think about your goals, and talk over your thoughts with nursing program directors. They are there to help you achieve your goals and make the choice that best suits your academic and personal needs.