I am still in school but I will still reply. I think it varies depending on where you live but where I am from (A larger city) hospitals greatly prefer BSN over ASN, some require it. Especially for any type of charge nurse or supervisor. They are also starting to make ASN nurses who already work there get their BSN. Also it is easier to continue on to advanced degree programs with a BSN.
Not an RN but i can offer my 2 cents of knowledge that I have picked up from RN friends. The short answer is that around here an BSN gets you hired at a hospital and an ASN gets you hired at a nursing home.
This will of course depend on demand in a given area
If you "take a break" in your education, you will stall, as I discovered the first tme I left college. Just go for it. Also, with a baccalaureate you may earn a military commission if that is what you want.