BSN vs ABSN

LoRNinFL · Jul 8, 2012

I am actually doing the ADN route and I already have a bachelors degree. There is an accelerated nursing program where I live and I have heard that they are very, very time consuming (I have 2 small children so I need something with a little more flexibility). If you don't have children or need to work full-time then I would encourage you to try the accelerated program. They also want you to have a pretty high GPA which mine was not. The school I live near is ECU in NC and they are extremely helpful and all you need to do at first is send them your unofficial transcripts and they will tell you if you are eligible to apply to the program (but the wait for them to tell you that is about a 4 month wait). Good luck in whichever you choose!

Stephalump · Jul 8, 2012

I know quite a few people who went the traditional route, either by choice or default. ABSN spots are highly competitive and the now limited so some people have only been accepted to a regular BSN program. Honestly, it's cheaper and doesn't take "that" much longer.

I'm actually going the ADN route. There are second degree RN- MSN programs in my area that are more cost effective than a BSN+ MSN, but if that fails, my school has an early acceptance agreement with a local RN-BSN program, so it's fast and easy. The way I like it :)

Everline · Jul 9, 2012

I'm going the ADN route as well. I will either get my MSN afterwards or do RN-BSN. I have no interest in ABSN, as it just wouldn't work for me at this time in my life.

athomas2340 · Jul 9, 2012

I'm in an ABSN program now, but I'm not a second degree student, I transferred. It's an 18 month program. Had I gone the traditional route it would have taken me 3 yrs (twice as long) to graduate. Not sure how other schools operate tho.

CDEWannaBe · Jul 9, 2012

Each ABSN program is different, but they usually are 14-18 months straight through, including intercession and summer classes. Not possible to work since it's very time intensive.

The traditional BSN programs are slower paced and you get breaks between semesters. You could work a night/weekend job. They should take you about 2 years as long as your prereqs are done before beginning the program.

Bobmo88 · Jul 10, 2012

I am going to start a traditional BSN program this Fall after earning my first Bachelor's this past Spring. My program is three years including summers but due to the fact that I completed all of my general education requirements from my first degree, I can focus on nursing classes. My first semester will only be 3.5 units (Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Communication) since I took already took nutrition, psychology, sociology and other general ed classes. Even though I would like to finish sooner, I still will be able to keep my job as an ER Tech while I am in school so I won't be in too much debt when I graduate. Another downside in addition to the longer length of the program is that I have to pay graduate student fees since I already have a previous bachelor's degree. Either way, I am glad to be in nursing school and be able to keep my job so I will take what I can get!