Banner Nurse Fellows or accelerated BSN at GCU?

U.S.A. Arizona

Published

If you were prepared to attend Grand Canyon University's 20-month BSN program in Aug. 2008 and then you were offered a chance to attend the 16-month Banner Nurse Fellows ADN program, which would you do, especially if you planned on getting your BSN (and later, a master's degree)?

I work at St. Joe's and I am really impressed with them. On the other hand, Banner is huge, and has some really nice facilities around the valley. If I were to choose the Banner program, I think this would mean leaving St. Joe's at some point. The speed of Banner's program is tempting, but it really wouldn't take that much longer to get the BSN with GCU. On the other hand, I could get the ADN with Banner and then go for an RN-to-BSN pretty quick. This is a hard decision. I think that I probably will do okay with either one, but I was curious what you all might have to say.

I don't mind that GCU has a religious affiliation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Hmmm, that's a toughy.

I think for me personally I would just go for the GCU's 20-month BSN program, seeing as how you want to end up with a BSN anyway, might as well get it all done in one shot. It's only 4 months longer than the ADN program? 4 months is nothing.

Yeah Banner is huge and great, but so is CHW :)

Good luck to you, let us know what you end up deciding!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you, RainDreamer! It would actually take a bit longer as the Banner Nurse Fellows Program would start sooner than the GCU program. (I agree that four months is short. I also think that nine months or even a year isn't that much longer.)

I am beginning to think that the length of the program isn't as important as where I want to work, Banner or St. Joe's. I wonder if there are more opportunities for a new nurse at Banner or St. Joe's... My sister is encouraging me to go with Banner because of its massive size, which she equates with opportunity.

I am impressed with St. Joe's focus on trauma and neurology... I don't know as much about Banner's specialty areas. Hmmm...I don't even know for certain what type of nursing that I want to do. I am interested in working in the OR, EP, or maybe ICU, but I am not certain.

Hmmm, that's a toughy.

I think for me personally I would just go for the GCU's 20-month BSN program, seeing as how you want to end up with a BSN anyway, might as well get it all done in one shot. It's only 4 months longer than the ADN program? 4 months is nothing.

Yeah Banner is huge and great, but so is CHW :)

Good luck to you, let us know what you end up deciding!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/Acute Rehab.

If you choose the Banner program, and don't want to work for Banner after you graduate, all you have to do is pay Banner back. They don't charge interest or anything else. Just the actual cost of your tuition, fees, and books...comes to less than $5000. You could put that on a credit card. Of course, Banner would prefer you stay with them after graduation, and they treat you well to keep you. But, do not feel like you absolutely must work for them after you graduate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

If your plans include a BSN in the future (or higher like you mentioned) then I would take the BSN now.

We all say we'll get the BSN right after we graduate, but it doesn't always happen. Save yourself heartache! Go for it now. Good luck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I agree with the above posts. I would go for the actual degree you want. Banner and CHW are both great companies and have hospitals in the valley that would provide all kinds of opportunities for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

One major factor here that no one has asked is cost! Isn't GCU much more expensive? Banner is 4 mos shorter which can be applied to the 12 mos needed to get the Bachelors, making it only 8 mos more and you would be a practicing nurse with alot less debt. Then again, if you don't take the Banner Fellowship, it leaves another spot available for me....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

It's about $16,000 for the ADN-BSN program. That's not bad, but I think most nurses will tell you that they regret not just going straight for the BSN.

I loved my ADN program and wouldn't have changed where I went-it made me a great nurse. But I just wish I went immediately on to the BSN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment