LVN or ADN before BSN

brina · Aug 19, 2005

Well remember.... the quickest way between 2 points is a straight line. If you ultimately want your BSN, i say go straight for it. It's quicker that way. However, due to life situations, you may need to get to work quicker and putting 4 to 5 yrs into getting a degree may not be feasible. So, if that is the case, I would say go for your ADN instead of the LVN. You will still be a RN and can just bridge over to the BSN when you are able, and most of all get a PAYCHECK!! Where I live, in Louisiana there is so much competition to get into an AD program that sometimes its best to just go ahead for the BSN because of the wait to get into the AD program. Good luck to you.

Brina

BSN GRADUATE DECEMBER 2005 !!!!!!!!!!

bmw804 · Aug 23, 2005

I live in the Houston area and it is very competitive to get into a nursing program. I have one class to go to fulfill the prerequisites for my BSN. I have a good GPA but it may not be good enough. Taking an alternate route to get my BSN is now a reality. I would be able to get into a LVN program easily and maybe an ADN. ADN to BSN would require 4 semesters of online courses which I would rather poke out my eyeballs than endure. Im conflicted on which is the best choice finacially and for my family. Im pregnant (due in Oct.) and would like to have another within a couple of years. Ive been warned against being a LVN. Is it really that bad? I have to admit that LTC does not sound appealing. Are there more options for LVNs than Im aware of? Has anyone done the LVN to BSN thing?

That is the route I am taking. The LPN is much easier to get into and you finish much quicker. I completed the first semester of the LPN program but I was also pregnant so I have been on leave. During my leave I had applied to a BSN program and was accepted. I don't really have the money for the BSN, we figured if I do the bridge LPN to BSN I would finish a semester or two sooner than doing the traditional BSN. The BSN program only goes Fall and Spring whereas the LPN is all year. I will start them both in January and finish the LPN at the end of August which is when the next semester will start for the BSN. I hope to begin working so that I can get tuition reimbursement for the BSN.

cu-n-hvn · Aug 31, 2005

I agree with brina. You should pursue your ADN rather than LPN. With the ADN degree you will be able to take your state licensure exam for registered nursing. The pay scale is so much better for RN than LPN. If you are going to put the time in, you can probably get your ADN in about the same amount of time as LPN. When I went to nursing school, there were 2+2 programs. You had to be a RN to get into the BSN program. I am currently pursuing my BSN degree online. I am taking my classes one at a time thru Florida Hospital College and Health Sciences and I am still able to work. I will be able to finish my BSN in 2.5 years at a reasonable cost while still earning an income as a RN. I also think you would have greater opportunities as a RN! :nurse:

wants2BRN · Aug 31, 2005

Thanks for the good advice! I think going for the ADN if I dont get into the BSN program makes the most sense. I guess I just get freaked out sometimes. I want to be a nurse so bad. I have worked so long and hard to get to this point where the possibility of rejection is now staring me in the face. :banghead: It's so frustrating that GPA is really pretty good, its just not as competitive as some others. I wish I got my crap together when I was a little younger. But then again I guess its all the events in my life that led me up to realizing what I want to be when I grow up. The real thing real thing is that I hate feeling inadequate. Its so easy for it to snowball into all this self doubt. Im going to get my degree one way or the other d@#$ it! It would just be nice if someone could tell me exactly which way that was and just how long it will take me to get there. :rolleyes: Ahhh... venting is sooo therapeutic. Can't wait till I have this baby, a cocktail would be lovely.

Tibbymc · Aug 31, 2005

Thanks for the good advice! I think going for the ADN if I dont get into the BSN program makes the most sense. I guess I just get freaked out sometimes. I want to be a nurse so bad. I have worked so long and hard to get to this point where the possibility of rejection is now staring me in the face. It's so frustrating that GPA is really pretty good, its just not as competitive as some others. I wish I got my crap together when I was a little younger. But then again I guess its all the events in my life that led me up to realizing what I want to be when I grow up. The real thing real thing is that I hate feeling inadequate. Its so easy for it to snowball into all this self doubt. Im going to get my degree one way or the other d@#$ it! It would just be nice if someone could tell me exactly which way that was and just how long it will take me to get there. Ahhh... venting is sooo therapeutic. Can't wait till I have this baby, a cocktail would be lovely.

Hey there, just know that youre not alone in the race to get into nursing school! I was dealing with the same things you are last year, and luckily I got accepted into a BSN program this past Janurary, except I'm not pregnant and I cant even imagine going through all this if I was..so you have my respect! I'm also in Houston and I know how competative it is. Have you looked at Texas Woman's University? Many ppl don't even know its there and just look at the bigger schools like UT Houston and UTMB. My gpa was great but not near a 3.9-4.0 like most people, I got waitlisted for fall 2004 and got in spring 2005, getting into any school for the spring is a bit easier. I've talked to many RNs in our BSN program and they all say they're glad they got their ADN, but that they wished they went straight for BSN. Tuition is also cheaper than you might think, the last 2 semester including books have been $3000 or less. They also have many student loans specifically for nursing students you can look into (im in debt but I'll have that job waiting for me when I'm done next year!!) Anyway, you will get done one way or another and do whats best for you, Good Luck!