ABSN program

I am an ABSN...being finished quickly and having a better shot at getting hired in this economy outweighs the cost for me. Yes, the loans will stink, but you'll make the money back. Unfortunately I know of too many new grad ADNs that are getting the run around from hospitals saying "we only hire BSN or experienced nurses." But fear not, I am in Chicago and it's a tough market. Other areas may not have the same issue :)

If you do choose ABSN, be ready to work your little butt off :) It's tough, but if nursing is what you really love, you'll enjoy the challenge! Much luck to you!

I got the ABSN even though I could have gotten the ADN. I am glad I went that route. After working 2 years on a busy med/surg floor I am pursuing my MSN.

I'm in my first of four semesters at my ABSN program. I too was contemplating between ABSN vs. Accelerated ADN (offered only at 1 CC in my area). Well, glad I chose the ABSN program because found out many hospitals in my area are hiring BSNs and the hospitals that have ADN staff have been given a year to obtain their BSN or face being fired. This may not be the same around the country, so do some investigations.

the area i live in right now there is only one BSN program..so most of the hospitals are OK with ADN/ASN nurses...however in the larger populations around here the hospitals are working towards or are magnet status and so are moving towards BSN nurses.

I would prefer to work in the same city that the ABSN is offered whether I get into the ABSN or not...bigger hospitals and more job opportunities than the area I live in now.

it seems that you are all very happy with your choice.

I will admit..im a tad intimidated to go to school in an area im not very familiar with...and at a very large campus compared to what I would of been attending..but I need to break out of my shell =) im also worried about the intensity of an accelerated program... Ive been working towards this for awhile..ive been a cna and I know that nursing is right for me.

I faced the same dilemma when I was looking to start nursing school- ADN and an RN-BSN bridge right afterwards while (hopefully) working, or ABSN. I chose the ADN and then RN-BSN route because it was far less expensive, plus it gave the summer off so I could do an externship. It was a hard choice, but given the uncertain job market I decided to be more conservative with my money (already having a BA made me ineligible for any financial aid and I wasn't willing to take on ANY debt in this economy). I'm glad I did, even if I don't land a hospital job I can start working on the BSN right away and apply for a hospital job later on.

If you are blessed to have the option of the BSN, do it. More obstacles are arising for ADN nurses, and less obstacles in this economy is always better. Well worth the steep cost I paid..

Thank you for all the advice and responses!!! so appreciated!

I have another question.

I have the option of going to a private LPN program this fall...it would be paid for by pell grant. The ABSN program accepts LPNs w/all the pre reqs completed.

do you think it would be worth while going through the 10mth LPN program and maybe being a step ahead in the ABSN clinicals??? I would graduate summer 2012 and go to the ABSN Jan 2013.