Commute...or Settle

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  1. Would it best to commute for BSN or stay local for ADN if that should be the case?

    • 5
      Commute
    • 4
      Stay local and do ADN then Bridge to BSN

9 members have participated

Im at the point in my Pre-reqs that I am starting to look for Nursing Schools in my area. I am looking for some sound advice from Nurses that been there done that. I will be done with ALL my Pre-reqs in two semesters for the Nursing Program (BSN) i currently have a 3.5 GPA and will be taking the Hessi in November (dilema) i have had to retake a few courses due to me not being focused in the beginning (not looking for sympathy) i sucked it up and re-took the courses to boost my GPA and my school allows for 3 retakes in Math, English, and/or Science TOTAL so im good to go but i spoke with my nursing counselor who told me id have a better shot of getting in my school's ADN program b/c of the competitive BSN program (due to my retakes). SOOOO there is a good chance i wont be accepted in my school's BSN program but will be in the ADN program. THREE of my friends from school were denied entrance in our school's BSN program (because of this) but were accepted into ANOTHER SCHOOL'S BSN program with much lower GPA's. Only problem is this school is a hr and a half away. Im a mother to a 3 and 4 yr old and wanted to know from others that had to commute (if this should be my fate) if this would be realistic for me having to commute. I guess what im wanting to know from parents that had to commute for a nursing program..how were you able to manage children, school, and personal life. Or should i just do the ADN program at my school then do the BSN track later. By the way my school is about ten good ole minutes from my house. HELPPPP..im a planner and just want to know what others had been through as far a commuting to school with children. Thanks so much for the time invested to read my thread and taking the time to reply. Lots of Love. Be Blessed.

I do not have any type of job preference besides being SOMEBODY nurse ill start WHEREVER its just i got my eye on professional nursing and getting my masters so to go into an adn program after completing all my pre reqs for the bsn just seems like ill be going backwards so im moving my topic to Nursing Students in hope that parents that had to commute can give some feedback and any advice is greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

BSN - for sure unless you are OK with working only in non-hospital jobs. BSN has become the 'entry level' for acute care in the US - for a number of reasons. Even if you are in an area where it has not happened 'yet'.... it is coming. Worst-case scenario if you do the step-wise route-- you probably won't be eligible for acute care residency programs (the only way in to acute care for many organizations) by the time you get that BSN because you already have non-acute experience as an ADN.

Best of luck to you!

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Thanks for the reply... i do feel that if bsn is an option take it just want to make sure my next move makes sense having kids

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

if possible, do the BSN. You will not regret it. Sometimes it is difficult to return to school once you are licensed and work full time.

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3 hr drive time a day with 2 little ones. No way.

I would do the ADN and bridge to BSN. In the end, you would still be a BSN. It would take longer, go a little slower,... But your little ones are only little once. That is now.

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If you do pursue the ADN and do BSN later, remember you can still work with the ADN. So if you do bridge to BSN later, youd be a BSN with 2 years ADN experience, and 2 years additional ADN pay. Unless im missing something that doesnt sound so bad.

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My nursing program was an hour commute and I often had clinicals where I would commute 1-2 hours 2-3x a week and do a 12 hour shift at any hospital in the state they wanted to stick me at. If you stay at the local school for your ADN you might end up commuting a lot anyways for your clinical rotations.

Commuting is very doable and becomes very routine, you will just need to rally support and have a plan of attack for those days where you need a sitter last minute.

If you do the ADN program it will be difficult to find a job competing with the BSN's (especially since there is a school in your area), and you may end up having to commute to a job AND try to do online classes to get your BSN.

Personally I would suck it up and commute. You probably won't be going 5 days a week, I did an accelerated program and typically was at school 1-3x a week and 2 days of clinicals (but only 3 weeks out of every 8 week period).

It may be worth asking the admissions at the school how many times a week you would typically be in class and if they would work with you to get your clinical placements closer to home.

Good luck to you! Fingers crossed you get into the BSN program close to home.

My sister and I write a blog about our journey as nurses and try to offer a lot of advice to students, if you're curious you can read it here:

Calling the shots, sisters in nursing blog

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But your little ones are only little once. That is now.
very true
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Thanks to everyone for your replies...im working over time these next two semesters to get my GPA up so hopefully im accepted into my school's BSN program...fingers crossed...whatever my path is..in the end..I WILL AND SHALL BE SOMEBODY'S NURSE!!

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I don't have children, but I truly believe that an ADN is going to restrict you in the future. I would recommend that you sacrifice some of these next two years of time with your children in order to invest that into your future by going the BSN route.

You're basically trading two years of reduced time with your children now for 10-12 years of a more secure future for them once you get your BSN, plus another 20-30 years of security for yourself once they grow up.

Nursing school is hard and time consuming, but keep telling yourself that you're investing in you and your family's future. That makes it easier.

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Thanks so much

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I don't have children, but I truly believe that an ADN is going to restrict you in the future. I would recommend that you sacrifice some of these next two years of time with your children in order to invest that into your future by going the BSN route.

You're basically trading two years of reduced time with your children now for 10-12 years of a more secure future for them once you get your BSN, plus another 20-30 years of security for yourself once they grow up.

Nursing school is hard and time consuming, but keep telling yourself that you're investing in you and your family's future. That makes it easier.

Reading this just warms my heart...thank you

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