CSN vs. NSC, please help.

torreypines · Oct 31, 2008

well, it does take 3 yrs for ADN in CSN but CSN has the highest passing rate for NCLEX boards and that's more important than having a bachelor's degree. when you get your ADN, you can apply for the RN to BSN program in NSC. I think it takes around 1 year too.

pogi · Oct 31, 2008

If you are planning on earning your BSN later on, it might be beneficial for you to go for it now. This way, if you plan to get your Masters in the future, you don't have to go back to school just to earn your Bachelors. I have a friends who was an LPN first. She then went to CSN for her RN degree. And now she wants to get her masters and has to go back to school to get her BSN just so that she can move on. That is a lot of extra steps. And if you pursue your BSN now, you'll receive a background in nursing theory and leadership that you wouldn't have in an ADN program. Whichever route you choose, good luck.

RRborromeo · Oct 31, 2008

well, it does take 3 yrs for ADN in CSN but CSN has the highest passing rate for NCLEX boards and that's more important than having a bachelor's degree. when you get your ADN, you can apply for the RN to BSN program in NSC. I think it takes around 1 year too.

Thank you. I have talked to my sister and will concentrate nursing at CSN. I mean even if it takes 3 years, at least I can gain my associates, go to work and then eventually go back for the bachelors. I bet the material is also easier to remember by taking it one step at a time, then in one big bunch.

torreypines · Nov 8, 2008

there are RN (ADN) to MSN programs. yes, it takes longer but personally, it's better to gain more experience in nursing so i suggest going for CSN. if you think about it, nursing boils down to experience. you can get all the degrees you want but if you can't apply all that knowledge in the real world, it's useless. it's just all theory.

RRborromeo · Nov 8, 2008

You are so right. My Bio teacher once told me of a Nursing Advisor he spoke to. She asks her applicants during interview what they would do in a certain situation. Its a job that really requires knowledge and brain power. I am sure anyone can be book smart but it takes experience to really gain knowledge. Thank you so much for the wise words ^_^

there are RN (ADN) to MSN programs. yes, it takes longer but personally, it's better to gain more experience in nursing so i suggest going for CSN. if you think about it, nursing boils down to experience. you can get all the degrees you want but if you can't apply all that knowledge in the real world, it's useless. it's just all theory.

pogi · Nov 9, 2008

there are RN (ADN) to MSN programs. yes, it takes longer but personally, it's better to gain more experience in nursing so i suggest going for CSN. if you think about it, nursing boils down to experience. you can get all the degrees you want but if you can't apply all that knowledge in the real world, it's useless. it's just all theory.

For me, I am glad I have had a background in nursing theory as it serves as the body of knowledge that supports nursing practice. Theory, along with nursing research has given me a great background of the evolution of the way we assess and perform interventions for the client. I especially liked nursing research because it allowed me to learn about all of the experiments and trials completed that supply the reasoning for the nursing interventions and care we give the client. For me, I want to know the research which my practice is based upon.:wink2:

torreypines · Nov 15, 2008

^ i guess it depends on what field of nursing are u more interested in...the thing about theory is...do u just make up a theory out of the blue? theory comes from being exposed and participating in the real world. u don't just sit in your kitchen counter on one rainy morning and have a light bulb moment. something happened in the real world, in real time and it led you to your idea. if not, then i should just lock myself in a glass cube and hope that i will come up with the next big invention. plus, even when your doing your research, you still have to go out there and test your theory...which is why i say applying one's knowledge is more important and when u apply nursing theories in a work setting, they call it experience.

for example, in nursing school, they teach u the steps and techniques for an IV start but u still need to practice get it right? and u can practice on a dummy all u want but a real patient is so much different.

NVhike · Nov 30, 2008

yup, once you get your adn rn, it does take at least a year to work on a bsn degree, but a number of those classes may be taken online. some schools may require you to take some pre-req classes for bsn but not all schools require them.

the bottom line is, a number of your bsn required classes may be taken online, and a lot of schools look @ your rn experience more, for you to get accepted into their program. . . . this includes rn to bsn program or even adn rn to masters degree. experience does carry a lot of weight, more of it preferably.

wrigh146 · Jan 19, 2009

Critical thinking skills are essential. The sooner you start gearing your mind to approach things from an evidence based standpoint, the better you start "out the gate" as a new grad. A bachelors program would be my advice simply because you are young and it will open more doors in the future if and when you decide to further your education and career. Be sure to look into the cost and time commitments of the bridge programs. If money is your primary factor and a BSN is your ultimate goal, it may be more cost effective to go for the BSN directly. I know st. rose hospitals have a student to RN program that will reimburse for schooling after a two year commitment to the hospital is fulfilled. Just be aware of all of your options. Good luck!

LITTLEBUGGER · Jan 28, 2009

I know I'm coming in a little late but .... there is a misconception that you can "easily" finish your pre reqs in a year at CSN. There are quite a few to get all your points and it would be a heavy course load. You can go over the summer...so..keep that in mind too.

baker1bv · Jan 30, 2009

Hey, here is my two cents.

I am a peer advisor with the college of nursing at Nevada State College, that being said, I don't get paid extra to recruit. There a couple of things you said I hear from young people all the time.

First off money, have you looked at whats available? Even in a time a huge budget crunches, fresh out of high school students usually get some kind of financial aid, and frequently it doesn't have to be paid back (ie grant or scholarship). The best way to get this money is to apply yesterday, do you taxes and then sit down with your parents (yes you will need them unless you know whats on their taxes, or get to claim independent, but thats rare for any 18 year olds) and fill out the FAFSA.

Second, I know someone mentioned get the ADN and then go to NSC to get RN-to-BSN. In your case I wouldn't recommend that. If thats the path you want to take find a school, with a program probably all on-line, that wouldn't require you to go back and take pre-reqs. In our program, RNs are required to finish the same classes the regular and accelerated track students have to, before they can start the actual RN-to-BSN classes. Where this becomes a problem, you would have to take an entire year of chemistry before you could start.

There is no right answer, knowing you want to be a nurse at 18 is quite an accomplishment, I know I was a couple years and a whole degree off before I figured it out. Both schools get you to the NCLEX and both schools and advantages and disadvantages.

Best of luck with all you do!

~Brianna