Nursing Programs.. and Confusion

The difference between a BSN and an ADN nursing degree is that that BSN requires 2 years of basics or prerequisite coursework, i.e. english, history, political science, etc. This is supposed to give the student a more rounded education, and then the last 2 years of just nursing courses. The ADN skips the first 2 years of basics, mostly, and once you are accepted, the program takes just 2 years. In order to sit for the NCLEX, you must graduate from an accredited school. That is if you want to wait to become an RN. You can possibly do the LVN "spin off" which means, once you finish your first year of nursing school, you can take the NCLEX for the LPN/LVN and become a nurse and continue working towards your RN. The BSN better prepares you (supposedly) for management opportunities, while the ADN tends to focus on skills (at least that is what I have seen here locally between the community college and 4 yr university). I went ahead and got my BSN in 4 years by taking my basics at the local community college (cheaper!) and then transferring to the nursing program at the university. Whatever you decide to do, good luck and study hard!

You take the NCLEX at the end of your program, after graduating, generally. My BSN program, at one time, allowed students to take the NCLEX-RN after completion of 75% of the program, but they stopped that practice when I was in the program (almost 20 yrs ago!). You should inquire of any program you are interested in to see if early testing is allowed.