Accelerated BSN vs. Associate degree

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Hello,

I recently completed my first semester of an accelerated BSN program in Nashville, TN. I found out that I was expecting our first child and therefore I am taking this semester off. The next time for me to jump back in and continue is January 2015. I am now second guessing myself and trying to decide if I should try and push on through and finish the accelerated program (with a 7month old baby at home) or if it a "better" idea to try and find an associate program instead. Any thoughts? Anyone in the Nashville area have any experience with this or any specific schools?

Thank you very much in advance!!! Having a hard time trying to sort this out and I know I need to make a decision soon.

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While it is none of my business about what you do, I will offer my insight and try to help you from my perspective :) I think that since you are already in a program, it would be senseless to drop out and try to re-enter another. Also again, another opinion of mine, more and more hospitals and agencies are moving towards a culture that is made up of BSN prepared nurses. The measures for magnet status now require a culture of BSN prepared nurses, and hospitals, including one of my own, are pushing for ADN's to enroll in a BSN program and complete it within a five year contingency. In addition to this, they are no longer hiring ADN nurses and require BSN to even apply. Overall I stay stick with it! You are smart or else you would not have gotten into that program in the first place. Good luck to you and your future endeavors :)

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A few things to consider:

*how supportive/flexible are the nursing faculty? most of the ABSN programs that I'm aware of are cohorts, so "jumping in" in the middle wouldn't typically be possible. If they ARE giving you this flexibility, then this is a very positive sign.

*how much family support do you have (or are you independently wealthy and can afford a nanny? lol). You will need a lot of child care, especially someone you can trust, so you don't have to worry. You probably have a fair idea of the amount of work involved from the schooling standpoint. What you need to do is look at your self: are you able to juggle different demands? what if the baby is sick, do you have a back up? will you be able to get enough sleep and still do well?

*if you would consider changing programs, it would not likely be an easy transition, as each program has its own prerequisites.

*Financial aid is another significant thing to consider, as ABSN programs and ADN programs are funded differently.

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You will need the BSN. I am an ADN grad and I can tell you that most employers will not even look at your resume. Even at job fairs at the actual hospital it was the first question asked, and then you just get filed to the garbage can. You will need to have awesome support for the baby. Someone you trust and that can be there for you, especially when the baby is sick. So, daycare is not the total answer, because they will not take the baby when it's sick. Look at your support system and have that in place. Once you have that in place, everything else will fall into place. My inlaws lived with me, so I had a great support system for the kids at the time. Even better if you can multiple back ups available in case your caregiver gets sick.

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As a soon to be associate grad - get the BSN.

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Yep, get the BSN - even if you end up taking some time off for your family.

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The tide has turned on this question. The BSN is the way to go.

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Even though I'm in an ADN program and I'm in an area where ADN grads have no trouble getting jobs I would still say that you should stick with your BSN program. Why start a new program when you've already started one? Do your best and push through.

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Even though I'm in an ADN program and I'm in an area where ADN grads have no trouble getting jobs I would still say that you should stick with your BSN program.

I am in the same type of area and I agree. I plan to continue into an RN-BSN program as soon as I start work after graduation.

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I am in the same type of area and I agree. I plan to continue into an RN-BSN program as soon as I start work after graduation.

I also plan on getting my BSN soon after just in case I plan on moving out of state or do something besides bedside nursing.

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Hi everyone, thank you so much for your opinions/advice/support! It sounds as though I should stick with my ABSN program. They are allowing me to jump back in with the next cohort so I can begin 7 months after the baby is born. My husband is fully on board and has a flexible job where he can work from home if need be. We are also looking into childcare. I am 7 months pregnant now and missing my current cohort. Perhaps all of the hormones are kicking in or the horror stories they have been telling me about this semester and I am second guessing jumping back into the nonstop studying and stressful ABSN program once the baby arrives. I know if I want it badly enough (which I do) I will make it happen. I would have 11 months left once I start back up which I guess will go by pretty quickly. Or so I hope..Thanks again for the advice!!! :-)

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If you don't have totally reliable child care already arranged, get on the wait lists for daycare NOW. In many, many areas, a year ahead is not too soon.

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