ABSN or ADN

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I'm currently in the process of applying to nursing school. I already have a Bachelor's in psychology but have goals to become a Psychiatric Mental health Nurse Practitioner.

I also attempted nursing school a couple years ago and was unable to successfully finish. The nursing school I attended was an accelerated track. The program was for 16 months to receive your BSN degree.

I was very stressed out during the program and the pressure was optimal due to the short length of the program. Excuses aside, I have chosen to give nursing school.another shot because I am determined to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

I can choose do go to a different program( BSN) that will start May 2018 (If /when I get accepted) or attend a ADN program that starts January 2018.

The ABSN(accelerated bachelor's of science in nursing ) program is for 15months and it starts May 2018.

The ADN (associates degree nurse) is for 2years and it starts in January 2018.

My goal is to become a nurse and then continue with my Masters degree to become a psych NP.

I already have a school that will accept a ADN to their program to get their Masters if they already have a Bachelor's degree in someone else.

With that said, it would be great to get a BSN but the stress of the pace of the program worries me.

On the other hand, I already have an idea how this program is due to my experience with a similar program. Subsequently, a 2year program would give me ease of mind and less worry. I would only be taking one nursing course per semester.

ABSN would allow me to be a nurse quicker and with a higher degree.

While the ADN, will take longer and be a associates degree.

I plan to apply to both programs. However, I will most likely find out about the ADN program first. I would not want to miss my chances of becoming a nurse.

I was told that it really just depends on the marketability of your degree. If your area still hires ADN plus you need to work throughout the program then go the ADN route. If you have your finances together and you can afford to not work then go the ABSN route.

I was told that it really just depends on the marketability of your degree. If your area still hires ADN plus you need to work throughout the program then go the ADN route. If you have your finances together and you can afford to not work then go the ABSN route.

My sentiments exactly!

Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.
I was told that it really just depends on the marketability of your degree. If your area still hires ADN plus you need to work throughout the program then go the ADN route. If you have your finances together and you can afford to not work then go the ABSN route.

This! If you can treat an ABSN program as your full-time job it *is* doable. Do you know what caused you to struggle so much the first time you tried and ABSN program? Personal life stress? Were you trying to work? Poor study habits? I would caution you that if you chose to go this route again, know why you struggled last time, and how you either have changed or will change, such that you can be successful this time around. The fast pace isn't for everyone, and if it is genuinely not for you than the ASN might be a better option for the sake of doing well and lower stress while in school.

It is getting more and more challenging for non-BSN grads to find jobs.

You may have already looked into this, but have you checked to see how long a BSN program would take? I also have a BA in psychology and the nursing program I'm going into takes 4 semesters (including summer). I have had to spend a year taking prerequisites, but I imagine you have already completed all of those.

Each program varies. For instance, the program that I was unsuccessful in, was for 16th to get BSN. Some programs are 15ths.

I actually made a 2page list of the things I did poorly the first time! It was stress, poor study habits, working etc. The pace was intense too. That is why I fear doing it again. However, since I have experience I would definitely do things differently.

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Absolutely go for the ADN.

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