Which program are you doing and why?

[chloecav]

I have a BA in an unrelated field and am currently looking into going back to school for nursing.

All of these different programs are confusing! I am unsure whether I should be doing a MSN or BSN program, or first going the route of CNA so I can work while completing other programs.

Which route did you choose and why?

[Pixiesmom, BSN, RN]

I'm still on the fence between a community college or bsn program.

I can start the cc sooner, then bridge to bsn later, but dread working fulltime and taking more classes.

But I'll have to wait 15 more months to even start the bsn clinicals!

I'm leaning toward the cc.

I'm on the fence with the decision as well. My CC offers an ADN and I could possibly (if my scores meet the requirement) start the program this next fall but I'm leaning more towards the BSN at the Univesity in the next town. I know it sounds lame but if I go the BSN route my daughters will be a little older when I start clinicals and I'm hoping that will make the transition for all of us a little easier.

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

I'm in a BSN program right now, it works for me and I want to be an advanced practice nurse. I didn't want to have to get my ADN and then get my BSN, I wanted to just get it out of the way so I focused on getting into the BSN program. I also looked at things like NCLEX pass rates, clinical hours, etc. My BSN program has both a high NCLEX pass rate and offered more clinical hours than most other schools (ADN and BSN) in my area--we start the first day of class! Also my school requires students to take Fundamentals before getting into nursing school (also a weeding out process I'm sure) as well as Intro to Nursing (nursing process, etc), that way we hit the floor knowing basic nursing skills (injections, Foleys, suctioning, sterile dressing, meds, etc) the first day of class. Plus the school has a good reputation.

BUT, this is what I have to say. It is hard to get into nursing school. If I were you I would apply at both ADN and BSN programs and then see who accepts you.

We also have a good schedual, we can choose between day or evening clinicals. I have 2 children, that I homeschool, and a husband who works ft and goes to college as well so that was important to me.

[AZmom]

I can afford cash out of pocket for ADN through a community college, so that's the route I'm going. Will work slowly towards my BSN on my employer's dime, then possibly onto advanced practice.

[loveu123]

I got accepted to both a BSN program and an ADN program. I have decided to attend the ADN program because it is more affordable and i can still keep my job. The BSN on the other hand is in another state(about 2 hrs away) andm I would be paying about $15000 a semester for tuition and board I may still have to borrow money to pay for my expenses since i cannot keep my job. Im planning to enter RN to BSN program after graduation and i have already finished all of the BSN prerequisites. I think the expenses play a major part in the decision if u do not want to be in debt.

[Mom2J&B]

I can afford cash out of pocket for ADN through a community college, so that's the route I'm going. Will work slowly towards my BSN on my employer's dime, then possibly onto advanced practice.

same here