I need advice. PLEASE ANY INPUT!!!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

Okay I have a H U G E dilemma. I have lets say ohhh 100+ hours. No degree. No associates. No bachelors. The reason I have so many hours is because I've taken all the prerequisites for multiple schools. They all want this..and they all want that. I have a 3.45 and most of my schools, and a 3.39 at one school due to the different prereqs. I'm torn between waiting a semseter to try to get into BSN programs for the Spring or going ahead and starting an Associate program. I don't want to know the differences between having an associate or bachelors, I just want to know what would you do. I have A's and mostly B's in all my prereqs. I R E A L L Y don't want to retake things like english, psy and soc etc classes over just to raise my gpa. Also there is no guarantee that I will get into those programs regardless if I retake those classes. Besides I have 12 Bs. So I would spend all summer and partly fall retaking those courses, which doesn't make sense for me to take them in the fall when the deadlines are in september and october. They would still go off of my current grades. There is no way for me to retake all those classes in the summer. I could only take a few, and with those only being 3 hours classes, it wouldn't raise my gpa up that much anyways. On the associate part.. like I said I have 100 hours. I feel like I would be going backwards. I feel like all the hours I have would be going to "waste". But on the pros. I could start in the fall. The deadline isn't until June 9. I've been talking with the advisor and she says I have a really good chance. They select students by points. I have 9 out of 12. And if you have 8 and above points you are called to take the HESI test and if you have one of the 36 highest composite scores you are in the program. Seeing how I've taken the HESI before and scored relatively high on it, I'm not too worried about it. I'm just torn between these two decisions. I think maybe I'm being stubborn because I really want a BSN, but I'm 22 and I'm not getting any younger lol. So any input and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

-Prettyladie.

Specializes in Oncology, Triage, Tele, Med-Surg.

Lots of ADN's enter the workforce, earn a paycheck & use tuition reimbursement money from their hospital to help pay for their BSN. There's no right or wrong. There are advantages to both. Just do whatever feels best to (((you))). :redbeathe

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

why do you say that i would be in the bsn program a year longer

Sorry, what I meant is that you will be in school at least a year longer IF you do adn and then bridge to rn after. I'm only basing this off of the few bridge programs I have looked into in my area. For example, the school I'm applying for is a BSN, 6 semesters long. There is an option to exit after 4 semesters with your ADN, but the bridge to go back for the BSN is an additional 4 semesters, where as if I didn't go the ADN route, it would only be 2 more semesters. Hence the extra year :)

I think either choice is good for you! You will need your BSN eventually if you would like to become a NP (it's my understanding that even direct entry MSN programs spend the first part earning your BSN and the second part is your masters) but either way you will get it in the end.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

woah.. ur bsn is 6 semesters?? ive never even heard of such a program. from the ones ive been lookin at in texas.. the bridge portion takes two semesters. my new question is this. is the only difference between ADN and BSN is some lecture type courses. because a lot of bridge programs im seeing are all online meaning now clinicals. so they are basically leadership type courses?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
thank you so much. im leaning toward that associate program because im ready to work. i mean i know im probably about to start a debate..but with an associates you dont make any less than with a bachelors right? it does seem smarter to do the associate program. why do you say that i would be in the bsn program a year longer

Hi, I am kinda in the same boat as you I have about 90 hours and an associates in arts already. I was struggling as to whether I wanted to get my ASN or BSN, I know that I want my BSN but I didnt know if I should just go straight for it or for another associates degree. I decided that it made the most sense to go and get my ASN and then start working where I can get the hospital to pay for my BSN because most of them offer tuition reimbursement!! I am saving myself tons of money by going to a community college first and then Im going to enroll in an online program for the BSN while I am employed as a nurse. You should check out Chamberlain college of nursing online RN to BSN program it is only 3 semesters, or one year and its entirely online. I would say do the ADN then online bridge, it will save you money and you will start working sooner. Oh and by the way, I just got into my local community college in Chicago's ADN program for Fall 09 start!! Super excited!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

you take more classes for a BSN which takes longer. ADN is only 4 semesters

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

so basically is the BSN portion extra leadership mgmt courses. no more clinicals right? just lecture courses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not necessarily. It varies by school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

so do some schools offer courses with extra clinical portions?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

I was looking at local ASN programs and figured I'd do a bridge later to get my BSN which was my end goal. However, our wait lists in CO are crazy (2-3 yrs!) so I looked into the private school route. I was going to go into their ASN program until one sleepless night I was up looking through their catalog. It stated I could use old credits - I had 27 old (20+ yrs) credits (none sciences) doing nothing, I got reservedly exited. I contacted them and asked them to review my transcripts as well my list I made laying out the classes I thought I would need to meet all their pre-reqs. They looked over everything and said if she had seen this when I had applied for their ASN she would have recommended the BSN program anyway. All I had to do was take 2 additional pre-reqs and I was a go!! So, I added an extra class to summer, another to fall and if I get accepted I will be starting in January.

My advice is to find a school that will allow you to use up those credits and go straight into the BSN. Doing the BSN cost me about 6k more and only 1 quarter longer than getting my ASN (7 quarters in total), it was a no brainer for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

well there arent waitlist rn to BSN programs in texas that i know of. my thing is im not going to get into any bsn program with a 3.45 and i refuse to retake any general ed courses over. thats why i want to bridge. my understanding of a bridge program is you take the extra leadership courses that are required for a bridge program right? no more clinical portions correct?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
well there arent waitlist rn to BSN programs in texas that i know of. my thing is im not going to get into any bsn program with a 3.45 and i refuse to retake any general ed courses over. thats why i want to bridge. my understanding of a bridge program is you take the extra leadership courses that are required for a bridge program right? no more clinical portions correct?

No there are no more clinicals! Most programs are entirely online.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

thank you so much. and thanks to everyone. you have cleared up all of my questions and concerns. i truly appreciate it!! but if anybody else has anymore concerns or suggestions i'd still appreciate it =)

-prettyladie.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment