Nursing Students General Students
Published Apr 8, 2004
PennyNickelDime_RN
275 Posts
Hi,
Let me explain my situation. I am enrolled at a University in a BSN program for Nursing. I am finishing up my prerequisites in order to apply to the nursing program. There is no guarantee of getting accepted and very few spots open every semester. Here is my dilema:
I received an acceptance letter from a local University into their 2 1/2 year ADN program. If I transfer to that program, I will be finished about one year earlier than the BSN program. I still have all of my sciences to do..A&P I and II, Chem, Microbio, Physics and Biochem before I can apply to the nursing school where I am currently. I have finished all of my general education requirements for my BS.
I would appreciate your opinions as to whether or not to stick it out in my current program with the uncertainty of being admitted into the nursing school OR transferring to the ADN program and then finishing my BSN afterwards which would only be a few classes.
I really don't know what to do. Thank you for reading this long post and I hope to hear from anyone that has a recommendation.
Marcy
bluesky, BSN, RN
864 Posts
What are your long term goals in the field of nursing?
If you are seeking a graduate degree eventually, then stick with the BSN. If you are certain your aim is to be a bedside nurse for the duration of your career, then go ADN.
If you don't know, then go BSN anyway because if you go ADN and then decide you want to be an NP, you'll have to do an RN-BSN which from what all the RNs in my program say, is complete torture.
Just my 2 cents.
suzanne4, RN
26,410 Posts
At this point, if you can start in the ADN program and it is a guarantee, I would go for that. You still have nothing definite from where you are now. You can complete your BSN on-line afterwards, if you decide that you need it.
You will finish school at least one year earlier and will have an extra year of an RN salary. If you decide that you want to go on, you always have that option. That is the easiest part, and your hospital will probably pay for it.......
What you personally do with your degree is up to you................the sky is the limit with no matter which degree that you have.......
Good luck. :balloons:
wonderbee, BSN, RN
1 Article; 2,212 Posts
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. With competition as tough as it is getting into a program, I'd take the ADN acceptance. You can always get the BSN later.
orrnlori, RN
549 Posts
Bingo! I agree completely.
WV_heart_RN
134 Posts
I agree with Kitty... go for the ADN. That's what I am doing. I will complete my BSN later. At least I will be working next summer!!
IF you can for sure get into the ADN...run with it!!!!!!!!!! :)
jemommyRN
587 Posts
You can always get that later if you really need or want it. I would take the definite acceptance because what if you don't take it and also don't get into the BSN this year. Go with the definite for now. That's what I would do. :)
heatherbless
156 Posts
yes, I agree also. I was accepted into the BSN program straight away--and with the competition these days...you should go for the sure thing...it all comes out the same in the end--however you chose to do it! Best to you, hty/
Thank you all for your excellent opinions. Here is one more question I have since I really don't have a clue. One of the posters made it sound like with an ADN degree one could only do bedside nursing. Is this true? I wanted to go into ER nursing or at minimum something more than "regular" bedside care. Critical care bedside or something like that would be fine but regular beside nursing I am not interested in in the long term.
Is it true that with an ADN degree one can't find other types of nursing besides traditional bedside?
Thank you all again!
AnnaN5
429 Posts
Thank you all for your excellent opinions. Here is one more question I have since I really don't have a clue. One of the posters made it sound like with an ADN degree one could only do bedside nursing. Is this true? I wanted to go into ER nursing or at minimum something more than "regular" bedside care. Critical care bedside or something like that would be fine but regular beside nursing I am not interested in in the long term.Is it true that with an ADN degree one can't find other types of nursing besides traditional bedside?Thank you all again!Marcy
The information I have got off of this board is that with an ADN you can not be in management positions. You can work in all types of specialties but just can't hold a position in management for the most part. I am also interested in ER and have been doing a lot of research at different hospitals in the area and all have basically the same requirement of just having an ADN from an accredited school, some say BSN preferred but not having the BSN isn't going to keep you from getting a job.
I think it is an excellent idea to go to the ADN program if you can get in right away, that way you can start working sooner and more than likey your employer will pay for you to get your BSN.
If you are concerned with not being able to get a job in the ER or other areas you are interested, you can always contact the nurse recruiter at hospitals in your area and see what they say.
It is not true that a ADN can't be in management. ADN's do in fact manage in many areas but it usually is coupled with a history of working as a nurse as well. If you want to go into management primarily and quickly out of school you should go for the BSN. Otherwise, an ADN is good for ER, OR, Endo, ICU, etc, etc, etc, etc,.
smk1, LPN
2,195 Posts
Hi,Let me explain my situation. I am enrolled at a University in a BSN program for Nursing. I am finishing up my prerequisites in order to apply to the nursing program. There is no guarantee of getting accepted and very few spots open every semester. Here is my dilema:I received an acceptance letter from a local University into their 2 1/2 year ADN program. If I transfer to that program, I will be finished about one year earlier than the BSN program. I still have all of my sciences to do..A&P I and II, Chem, Microbio, Physics and Biochem before I can apply to the nursing school where I am currently. I have finished all of my general education requirements for my BS.I would appreciate your opinions as to whether or not to stick it out in my current program with the uncertainty of being admitted into the nursing school OR transferring to the ADN program and then finishing my BSN afterwards which would only be a few classes.I really don't know what to do. Thank you for reading this long post and I hope to hear from anyone that has a recommendation.Marcy
if finances will permit i would transfer and go for the sure thing in the ADN program and then complete the rest of your BSN online or take the few classes at a local university afterwards, this way you will get to become a nurse for sure (at least assuming you graduate and pass nclex of course ) but i am a bit of a cautious person by nature so the sure thing seems good to me.