Reapply to BSN program? Or take the ADN seat?

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Hi Everyone,

I need some advice. I just found out that I didn't get into Sac State's Nursing School for Spring 2015. I am Alternate #19. I had 71 points on my application (87.3% on my TEAS and 3.932 nursing GPA, no optional points). We have been told that Alternates 1-5 have a good chance at getting called on, but that's about it. **SUPER BUMMED. I'm 38 and have worked really hard to get this far. It's pretty discouraging.** I currently attend Sac State (CSUS) getting all my general education requirements out of the way. I have been accepted to American River College (ARC) for their ADN Nursing Program in the Spring 2015... I am supposed to start on Jan 20, 2015.

My question is... should I wait and reapply for Sac State's BSN program for Fall 2015? Or should I take the ADN seat this January and just do an RN-BSN program (12 months) after I complete the 2 year ADN program?

Obviously I am worried about wasting the tuition costs and longer wait to get a job if I only have an RN certificate. I've been doing nursing pre-reqs for so long, I really just want to start a nursing program... but I would love to hear from working BSN's and those that just have their ADN... and from BSN/ RN students.

Thanks Guys.

Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.
Everline: I have an Associates of Science in Gen Science from the same community college I will be taking the ADN seat with. Since I already have an Associates degree, the ADN program will just earn me the RN cert. I do not have a BA or BS in another field.

I have never heard of an RN certificate. Most people in your circumstances would end up with two degrees, not one degree and one certificate. Did your school tell you that you will receive an "RN certificate"? I'm just curious because I have a previous associate degree as well. When I graduate in two weeks, I will have two of them.

As an aside, I know you don't realize this or mean it, but when you post things like "only an RN certificate" it can easily be taken in a way you don't mean it. That happens when communicating on an internet forum. It's easy for misunderstandings to happen.

Good luck to you whatever you decide. I've heard how tough it is in California and that really is something to consider. Just keep your eye on your goal and remember that you can bridge to BSN. And the great thing is when you do, the NCLEX will be behind you already.

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Specializes in ICU.

The reason people are upset is your are a degree a certificate. Even if you all ready have an associates degree you will still have an associates degree in nursing. Which means you sit for the exact same NCLEX a BSN sits for. You will both be RNs. Now the difference is what a hospital hires. But to state it's just a certificate implies that those with a degree earned a technical certificate like maybe what a CNA gets. Obviously, there is a huge difference.

The only thing I would look at is financial aid. If you already have an associate's degree you may have to go for the BSN. Financial aid does not pay for 2 associates degrees. You are going to have to look at that.

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Start in the ADN for sure! I think its best to secure a spot in that program. In my ADN program you enroll for a BSN program during your third semester so that you can graduate with your bachelors right after your ADN. BSN to ADN is usually around a year program and sometimes you can do it online while you work! :) I live in Southern Cali and the competition is high! I know a lot of straight A students getting alternates in the cal states down here and none of 'em got in. Secure that ADN spot and save money, you will eventually get your bachelors.

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The reason people are upset is your are a degree a certificate. Even if you all ready have an associates degree you will still have an associates degree in nursing. Which means you sit for the exact same NCLEX a BSN sits for. You will both be RNs. Now the difference is what a hospital hires. But to state it's just a certificate implies that those with a degree earned a technical certificate like maybe what a CNA gets. Obviously, there is a huge difference.

The only thing I would look at is financial aid. If you already have an associate's degree you may have to go for the BSN. Financial aid does not pay for 2 associates degrees. You are going to have to look at that.

I was told by a guidance counselor that because I used the pre-reqs for the ADN towards a AS in General Science, that I would not be able to use them towards the ADN.... therefore, I would not be earning the ADN... just taking the nursing classes to be able to sit for the NCLEX. They are calling this process the RN Certification process. Obviously the counselors I've talked to gave me the wrong info.

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I was told by a guidance counselor that because I used the pre-reqs for the ADN towards a AS in General Science, that I would not be able to use them towards the ADN.... therefore, I would not be earning the ADN... just taking the nursing classes to be able to sit for the NCLEX. They are calling this process the RN Certification process.

I live in the bay area as well and I have never heard of "RN Certification process." Most of my RN friends that had previous associate degrees were just awarded a second degree when they completed nursing school.

I would take the ADN seat because here in California it is very competitive to get into ADN and BSN programs. I know people with stellar grades and TEAS scores but have yet to gain a seat because there are so many applicants with the same stellar grades. Good luck OP!

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I live in the bay area as well and I have never heard of "RN Certification process." Most of my RN friends that had previous associate degrees were just awarded a second degree when they completed nursing school.

I would take the ADN seat because here in California it is very competitive to get into ADN and BSN programs. I know people with stellar grades and TEAS scores but have yet to gain a seat because there are so many applicants with the same stellar grades. Good luck OP!

Thank you! It is crazy competitive. Yeah, I'm not sure why this didn't 'click' with me before about the ADN... I guess I just had my eye on the NCLEX prize, so to speak. This throws a wrench in my plan if financial aid won't pay for the ADN program.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.
I was told by a guidance counselor that because I used the pre-reqs for the ADN towards a AS in General Science, that I would not be able to use them towards the ADN.... therefore, I would not be earning the ADN... just taking the nursing classes to be able to sit for the NCLEX. They are calling this process the RN Certification process. Obviously the counselors I've talked to gave me the wrong info.

It definitely sounds like your guidance counselor gave you incorrect info. Think about it this way. When you get a BS after an AS, all of the classes for your AS count towards your BS. A BS takes roughly 4 years at full time and all of the classes in your AS degree would be taken in the first two years. Same for getting an AS X2. It would be silly to retake the same classes to get a second degree, so they just use the classes you already took to award a second degree. Dont know if I worded that well but I hope you get the point. To sit for NCLEX you HAVE to have an ASN or higher level nursing program degree, or a hospital diploma. A "certification" would not qualify.

As a side note, our nursing admin gave us similar information at our block II registration session last semester. She said that the RN program is a certificate program that is tacked onto our associate degrees. She was later corrected and came back to tell us that it was not a certificate program and is a degree program. Some people just dont know.

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Thank you, mrsboots87. :) That does make sense. The info you initially received from your nursing admin sounds like what I was told. Not sure why I never thought that through. I guess I was just focused on getting a BSN (because that's what everyone in the industry and my family of medical professionals is telling me to get) that I never really wondered about the ADN. Well, you learn something new every day. :) I just really want to start a nursing program now... ADN or BSN... I'm just ready, already. :nurse:

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