Trying to Decide...Accelerated BSN or Tech College ADN?

U.S.A. Wisconsin

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Hello,

As of Feb 2010 I'll have finished courses to obtain my bachelors through Cardinal Stritch. Unfortunately, a little late in the game, I've decided that I want to go into healthcare, leaving business. Whyyyyyy could I have not made this decision sooner.....oh boy..:banghead:

Anyway - at this point, I'm too close to completing requirements for the bachelors to just stop. I've tried to educate myself as much as I can about diff schools in the area (NE Wisconsin) as well as nursing in general. I'm strongly drawn to getting the BSN, although from what I understand in our area it doesn't appear to make much difference in pay, or likelihood to get hired. I have seen however that a lot of other facilities across the country have "BSN Preferred" on job postings....so I'm not sure if maybe the writing's on the wall and it will become a requirement?

Given that I'll have my bachelors and this will be a 2nd degree for me, I liek the idea of an accelerated BSN program - and have been looking into the one offered at Bellin College - I knew it was expensive, but last week learned HOW expensive. Upside though is that given the time I've already spent getting my bachelors (I work full time, and am going in the evenings) I'd like to get through and out of school as soon as possible, additionally I'd have the BSN which could potentially open doors for me down the road, without having to go back to school later.

The other option I'm exploring is going to FVTC - I've spoken with advisors from both schools and I'd need to pick up just about the same classes for pre-reqs...naturally though FVTC costs a considerable amount less. The downside is that after pre-reqs I'd be waiting probably 1-2 years to get in, plus the 2 years to get through the program - and then would need to return to school if I wanted to get my BSN later.

I guess I'm just tossing this out there for any opinions....looking at raw numbers, it's about a $25K difference to go to Bellin and get the BSN (15 months) as opposed to going to the tech and getting a BSN later. We're not wealthy by any means, if we were, I'd go for Bellin immediately - but it's the financial aspect that's getting to me.

Any insight that you could provide would be greatly appreciated....:redpinkhe

thank you!

if your able to move around madison edgewood has an accelreated, milwaukee, Eau claire , uw osh, ect.. .there are plenty of accelerated programs out there. Most of them are expensive... .but not as high as Bellin ;) good luck! i couldn't decide between tech or accelerated but im really glad im chose accelerated. Im not out there applying yet but I do think it matters if you have a bsn or not in terms of getting hired... they just aren't putting the Bsn preferred in their ads...kwim?

Thank you!!

Yeah I'm kind of thinking the same thing about the BSN...Like I said I've seen a lot of ads around the country that are saying that....so then it begs the question, is it only a matter of time before it's like that here?

Unfortunately moving around isn't an option as we have a home in the Fox Cities area. UWO has one, but it's an online course? Can't say that I completely understand it to be honest, I know though that it appears to be highly competitive to get into - so potentially additional waiting lists.

I was thinking about this last night, and thought I'll just start taking the pre-reqs at the tech schools. At FVTC you don't actually go into a Ready Group (waiting list) for the core nusing classes until after completing all of your pre-reqs anyway - at Bellin you just kind of get accepted into the next program. Both ways the prereq are just about the same.

I just really want to make the right choice.......the more I think about it, the more I think BSN - it's just taking that financial leap, and hoping that it pays off.....

Im actually in the uwosh program... it is online for the theory courses but you do you do clinicals in local hospitals with 1 on 1 preceptors... which is worth A LOT. our first clinical was traditonal with a clincal instructor and it was so limiting in what you could do because the instructor has to be supervising so many students (we only had 5 but they normally have 8 to a group in traditional setups). It is very competetive to get into but there are not waiting list persay.. you either get in ...or you reapply. to get into the program if you don't have cna experience you really need to have something that makes you stand out... Good luck in your decision!

Specializes in Government.

OP, I was in your shoes 23 years ago. I went with accelerated BSN. It got me back to the workplace quicker, which I needed to support myself.

Do understand that if you get the ADN, your current bachelor's degree will NOT substitute for a BSN. Nursing is really picky on that issue. Some fields and some regions require a BSN for certain specialties. I've known many nurses who thought their prior degree would substitute only to find out it wouldn't.

Thank you all! So clearly then you're all pro-BSN....do you feel that it has/will help you out with career goals or advancements?

Get your BSN.

YOU WONT REGRET IT.

RN, BSN and loving it!

I am going to NWTC. They have a 1-2 year wait list for their associates degree too. I am applying to be on the wait list this Sept. I will be taking all of the gen ed classes in the mean time. I will also be possibly taking some classes at UWGB that will apply to my BSN when I decide to go for it. Might as well take some classes to apply to my BSN while waiting to get my ADN, it will make it that much easier in the long run. I would def. take the acc at Bellin, but I do need prereqs for them too, and it will prob be 1-1.5 years before I get in there, so I am just going the adn to bsn route. Good luck on what ever you do! I am sure some of the classes you took at your other college will transfer to what ever school you decide on. Def check on that!

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