1) ADN-BSN or 2) Work?

Nurses New Nurse

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Let's just pretend I already got the job.

I graduated in December with an ADN here in California. Finally got licensed in April after the huge backlog with the BRN and have been job hunting ever since (2 months). I have no significant volunteer experience and no healthcare experience outside of nursing school. I was initially happy about a few calls I got from a teaching hospital in TX, but now I am starting to get mixed feelings. Here's why:

I really want to get my BSN. I am currently enrolled to begin an intensive ADN-BSN program at a state university in late September that would allow me to have my degree in 10 months (June 2015). Nobody in my family has a Bachelor; I would be the first. I understand that online degrees are also available, but they exclude me from the chance of graduating with distinction (Cum Laude+). You only get a chance at this once and it is something that I value. My plan was to go to school, commit 1 year to volunteer at a local hospital, and try to get my foot in the door.

On the other hand, we all know the difficulty of landing that first interview, let alone that first hospital job! I am awaiting to finalize my interview appointments with the 1) Stroke/Telemetry, 2) Oncology, and 3) Cardiac Stepdown Unit. Each director that I spoke with described the units as a 1:5 to 1:6, including the CSU. Regardless of which department I choose, I know I would gain invaluable experience. I see the CSU as having the highest potential for learning, but I believe that the Stroke/Telemetry and Oncology units would allow for the most development. I am particularly excited and nervous about the 1:6 ratio on the CSU unit, which would include drips, post-op CABG patients, etc. During my preceptorship in the Float Pool, the ratio was capped at 1:4. I know that I can be passionate about any of these units and will put in hours outside of work to learn more about my craft. However, this would mean that I postpone my BSN for who knows how long (I'm thinking I could opt for the online degree and gradually complete my courses in 3 years).

So, BSN now or later? Sorry if I seem lost, I kind of am.

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If you did decide to go the online route, why will it take you 3years? I'm about to start a BSN program in the fall & it will only take me 1 year to complete..this is at a State University.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

If you get a position, since you have a spot, ask if you could postpone for a year.

Currently, you are in a very good position.

Best wishes! :up:

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If you did decide to go the online route, why will it take you 3years? I'm about to start a BSN program in the fall & it will only take me 1 year to complete..this is at a State University.

If I go the online route, it would mean that I am working. As a new grad RN (especially if in a specialty unit) with a 1:5/1:6 ratio, work would be my priority. I feel that I would invest extra hours studying outside of work to gain more knowledge in my field (or is this doing too much?).

If the RN-BSN program that I am enrolled in for the Fall requires a 10 month commitment, I don't know the chances of me excelling at both work and school at the same time.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.

I would do both. I do both now. I work 3-4 12s a week while doing an online RN-BSN. If I were in your position and could only choose one, I would choose work. You may not be so lucky to be offered the same job a year from now. School will still be there. The big push for BSNs for many is the difficulty in finding a new grad job, but given you already have one lined up, I don't see it as being as urgent. But really, I think you should do both. RN to BSN coursework is not nearly as rigorous as your fundamentals for your ADN.

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If I was in your position and had to choose, I would choose to work. New Grad jobs are hard to find...and as the above poster mentioned school isn't going anywhere. Maybe you can start school in the spring..wait a semester if you think u can't manage both. I worked full time & went to School full-time for my ADN, so it's Doable. I don't have any kids so it wasn't hard.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

I know many nurses; myself included that have worked (full-time) while they went through RN to BSN. Few took more than 2 years. Texas has a couple of programs (online) that get you through pretty quickly. UTA boasts one of the cheapest programs in the country and completion in 13 months. Texas Tech has a decent program that once you start nursing core courses, most students complete in 5 months.

I do not know with those programs, but with the program I went through (Excelsior), there is a yearly graduation where you can walk and be recognized for honors as appropriate, course, it's in Albany, NY.

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Absolutely take the job! Like others have said, completing an online RN to BSN program is VERY do-able while working full-time. That is the point of online school, it's flexible to fit your schedule/lifestyle! If you're worried about tackling both at first then just put school off for a year or so. If you play your cards right, the University you're working for will probably offer incentives or tuition reimbursement. As for the ratios, take that as a really great opportunity to learn prioritization and time management. It will give you invaluable experience that will benefit you for the rest of your career. I started on the East coast with a 1:7 ratio and I work in CA now with the 1:4 ratio and 1:3 when I'm on a step-down unit. What a difference! It takes a lot to stress me out these days!

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Like others have said - take the job and do an online program. You can finish in 2 years or less, and it won't be so intense that you cannot devote a lot of time to work. Really, even as a new grad, once you leave work, you're done. It's not like you need to study for work a whole lot. You will still have 4 days a week to devote to school.

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I have to be working as part of my RN-BSN program. Personally I would take the job,, they're much harder to come by. you will NOT be doing more work outside your work hours to perfect your craft because you're going to be exhausted. If you can, do both but I'd highly suggest taking the job if offered.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, dementia, hospice.

Hi moomoo134!

I also think you should take the job, as jobs are much harder to come by in our present economy, especially for new grads. You are quite fortunate to have 3 potential job possibilities as a newly licensed nurse. One of my friends at work put in 200 applications before landing her first job (I'm in Metro Detroit, Michigan).

Also, as TiffyRN touched upon, there are many online programs that would still allow you to graduate with honors. In fact, I would venture to guess that , which uses a pass/fail grading system, is one of the few institutions, if not the only one, that would not have such an option. In general, reputable online programs offer all the same benefits as brick-and-mortar ones.

Of course, as others have mentioned, you can try to do both. Best wishes to you!

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Plenty of people do both. Lots of BSN completion programs (not just online programs) are designed for nurses who are working full-time. Years ago, I did a B&M BSN completion program at the nearest state uni, and the "full-time" schedule was one full day/evening and one additional evening per week. Everyone I knew in the program (inc. myself) was working full-time. I was able to complete the program in three semesters, and I graduated with honors.

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