So I'll be starting a CNA program next month that will take 7 and 1/2 weeks. My ultimate goal is to get my BSN so that I can join the Army nurse corps. I however have no college credits under my belt and am constantly hearing about the dreadfully long wait lists for ADN programs and how your ADN will basically take the same amount of time as your BSN due to prerequisites. However I'm not sure I'll be able to afford to go straight for my BSN. I'm very unclear about weather I should go from my CNA to LVN to ADN to BSN or CNA to ADN to BSN or CNA straight to BSN. Which path is the quickest when including possible wait lists and prerequisites. I know it varies from place to place but I'm just looking for some input of which path I should take.

You should find out if any hospitals in you area offer tuition reimbursement while u work as a CNA so you would be able to do either your ADN or BSN without having to worry as much about being able to afford it. if your ultimate goal is BSN i think you should try to go straight into an ADN/BSN program you still need pre reuisites for LPN courses so its not going to cut out too much time and you might end up spending more time taking the scenic route to your BSN. also i forgot to mention there are some private ADN programs that do not cost an arm and a leg and dont have waiting lists depending on your area. good luck.

The straight line is always the fastest. To reach your goal fast go straight for BSN, however if money is an issue you have to go step by step.

In my State (Cal), an estimate will be the following:

BSN= 2 years of pre-req + 3 years in the program

ADN= 2 years of pre-req + wait time undetermined + 2 years in the program + 2 years for BSN

LVN= 1.5-2 years of LVN class + 1 year of pre-req + wait time + 1 year ADN + 2 years BSN

Now this is just an estimate. You have to take many other things into account. Depending on your level, you might need to take several classes before you meet the English and Math requirements. Depending on your school, you might have to take your biological science classes one at the time (if one is prerequisite of the other) or you cannot apply in the program until you complete all the prerequisites (if no class in progress accepted). You must have very good grades (no repeat class if possible.) Because schools are looking to increase their NCLEX pass rate, you can sell yourself easily to them with your grades.

Nowadays money can buy you everything, even getting your LVN in 12 months or your BSN in 3 years. BUT, be very careful. 99.9 percent of the time it's a waist or time and money.

Time will fly by, whatever path you choose to go with. My suggestion is to take your time. Work as a CNA to see if you like the Job first then go straight for your ADN; then bridge to BSN.

It takes time to become a good Registered Nurse!

Good Luck:)

Suppa Duppa

It all depends on what is in your area and what is right for you. I'm a CNA and I had considered going LPN first then ADN, but the LPN program did not offer any loans and it was pretty much a pay out of pocket kind of deal. It is a shorter amount of time to just go straight to BSN if you can afford it and get into a BSN program. I'm in an ADN program now that will take 2.5 years after prereq's and it will take 2 semesters to 5 semesters to complete my BSN online after I'm a licensed RN. If I were closer to a four year university I would have just cut out the middle man and went for my BSN to save time.