ADN with a BA

U.S.A. California

Published

So I graduated from UCLA with a BA already. i've heard that it's possible to finish an ADN in less than 2 yrs if I have a BA already. Is that true? Also, is it true that employment is near impossible as an ADN then go thru the RN to BSN or MSN route? Don't know if it's worth the debt to get a BSN/ELMN. I have no undergraduate loans

Get2theChoppa

210 Posts

Specializes in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.

Personally, I don't know of any ADN programs that are less than 2 years in California. A B.A. doesn't really get you more credits because the only credits schools look at are the science pre-reqs and general ed courses.

If you want other options, have you considered an accelerated BSN program? These programs are for people who already have a BSN/BA is something else. CSUF, CSUN, and CSUSM all have one. CSUF also has state tuition rate, so it's pretty cheap.

I think the problem is that when competing for new grad positions, ADNs are at a slight disadvantage compared to new grad BSN students.

RunBabyRN

3,677 Posts

Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I would look at BSN or ELMSN programs. Many of the CSUs are moving to

The market in CA for ADN nurses is dismal, unless you want to work in long-term care or home health, and even then, some employers require experience.

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Yeah don't get your ADN, it's very hard to get a job in California with that. Second bachelors or entry level msn. The ADN programs usually take two years and that's after completing gen Ed's, it's really not any faster.

dcwang

776 Posts

yes i'm applying to entry level master's and accelerated programs, but i'm also having a backup plan. one of my teachers, a registered clinician said it's not true that ADNs aren't finding jobs. i was surprised when i heard that. i know it's also not a good idea to go to a for-profit school like WCU and have a mountain of debt.

however, if I do complete an ADN at a CC would it be possible to apply immediately to a RN-BSN program?

Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.
yes i'm applying to entry level master's and accelerated programs, but i'm also having a backup plan. one of my teachers, a registered clinician said it's not true that ADNs aren't finding jobs. i was surprised when i heard that. i know it's also not a good idea to go to a for-profit school like WCU and have a mountain of debt.

however, if I do complete an ADN at a CC would it be possible to apply immediately to a RN-BSN program?

Where I live in California, if you don't have a BSN or higher, you're probably not even going to have your 1-out-of-800-applications-for-the-same-position get through screening in HR. This trend is gaining momentum.

You've got to have a whole lot of luck or somethin somethin to even get an interview as an ADN :(

Several hospitals in my area have either notified nursing staff that if they do not have at least a BSN in five-ish years, they will be terminated, or require a BSN within a very short amount of time as an ADN as a condition of employment.

I know the nurse recruiter for my hospital personally. Number of applications received for one position = Mind Blown.

I really encourage you to stick to your plan to get your Masters in Nursing right off the bat. You will spend your nursing years focusing on patients instead of your employment.

Get2theChoppa

210 Posts

Specializes in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.

I would say if an ADN program is a back up plan that's fine. But your #1 choices should be elmn or absn programs.

dcwang

776 Posts

yah my backup plan is to do ADN and go straight into RN-BSN program.

RunBabyRN

3,677 Posts

Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

What about a backup plan of a traditional BSN? Again, there are several that have moved to a 2 or 2.5 year model, the same length as ADN. This is only slightly longer than ABSN. I graduated from a traditional BSN program through a CSU that was 2 years, and was accepted to another that was also 2 years (except that one runs through summers, unlike the one I did).

LovinLife28

37 Posts

I suggest applying to as many programs as you can, ADN, BSN and ELMSN. It is very competitive to get into nursing programs here in Ca and you may or may not get in on your first or second try. Many of my friends graduated in 2013. A few found jobs in hospitals and those that did not find jobs immediately went to RN-BSN programs. Good luck:yes:

dcwang

776 Posts

@RunBabyRN I could finish a traditional BSN program in 2 yrs if I do transfer because I'd have the credits. @ LovinLife28, I am applying to as many programs as I can because it is competitive, but I do not want to get into debt as well. I am also applying to out of state schools. And I would immediately transfer into a BSN program if I could.

13grad71

218 Posts

Specializes in Emergency, Tele, Med Surg, DOU, ICU.

Its great that you are applying to as many programs as you can. I may have missed it but are do done with your prereq?

Also ADN do still get jobs with a caveat. I'm a new grad ADN currently enrolled in a RN to BSN program and got a couple of offers from a hospital and a non hospital setting (Emphasizing that you are currently enrolled in a BSN program I think must have helped). Fellow grads from my class too are working in a variety of settings. I guess it is just a matter of luck and (mostly) prayers.

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