Hey guys!

So I was a former biology/pt student who decided to switch to nursing. I'm hoping to start school Fall 2015. I'm looking at an associate's degree program and finish in two years and then go straight into getting my BSN after.

Do I have to take the nclex after I receive my ADN?

I'm not planning on working and going to school at the same time. I've had issues with school and I know doing both will not go well with me. Do I have to do an RN-BSN program or can I transfer into a traditional BSN program? Do RN-BSN programs require you to have taken the nclex, be employed, have your license, etc?

Someone please explain to me what I can do!

A traditional BSN program will include many classes you've already done. While you might appreciate the refresher, you will likely regret that it will take at least 2 years to get the same thing you could get in much, much less time (and tuition).

As for sitting the nclex, a lot of RN-BSN programs will require it. It's their way of being sure you have a certain baseline of knowledge.

Out of curiosity, what are your thoughts on doing your pre-reqs and gen eds at a community college and then going on to a BSN program, instead of ADN, then bridging to BSN? You'll be done at least a year sooner than if you bridge, and depending on your options, it might ultimately cost less.

I was only asking because when I was looking at RN-BSN programs, one school requires you to be employed as an RN. Other schools that I have looked at do not specify. Is this a requirement of all RN-BSN programs? Working and being a student at the same time is just not a good idea for me.

I would do prereqs at CC and transfer to a 4 yr; however, due to commuting/transportation, it would be more convenient to attend the ADN program that I applied to. CC is my back up plan.

You do not have to take NCLEX to complete your ADN.... you have to pass NCLEX to become licensed as an RN. ADN, BSN, etc.... are degrees. RN is a license. Two different things. You need to become licensed in order to practice as an RN. If the program is RN-BSN, then you would need to be an RN to qualify for admission. My guess? The schools that "did not specify" may have assumed that this is such common knowledge that they did not need to do so. You need to contact them to make sure.

Please be aware that acute care (hospital) jobs are increasingly BSN-only in most urban areas and an increasing number of community/rural areas of the country and ADN nurses are employed in non-acute environments.

I was only asking because when I was looking at RN-BSN programs, one school requires you to be employed as an RN. Other schools that I have looked at do not specify. Is this a requirement of all RN-BSN programs? Working and being a student at the same time is just not a good idea for me.

I would do prereqs at CC and transfer to a 4 yr; however, due to commuting/transportation, it would be more convenient to attend the ADN program that I applied to. CC is my back up plan.

Not all RN-BSN programs require you to be working during the time you are in school, HOWEVER it is quite common that you won't be accepted into the program without experience AS an RN first. And the only way to get experience as an RN is to ....you guessed it....earn the license.

Schools that do not require you to have any experience as an RN will STILL REQUIRE you to HAVE an RN license in order to apply: that's the point of the program. To get licensed RNs whose education stopped prior to obtaining a BSN into a program in which they can earn that BSN. But you cannot get into them without first holding that all-important license.

If you go the traditional route of BSN school, obviously no license is required. But a "RN-to-BSN" program will.