ADN with a BA

dcwang · Nov 5, 2014

@13grad71. are you in CA? My physiology instructor emphasized how we're still hiring people from foreign countries how can there be no jobs? Personally, I'd rather start with lower pay and work my way up and have less debt than have a mountain of debt from a private school such as West Coast.

zzbxdo · Nov 6, 2014

Your physiology teacher is behind the times I would think. That slowed down a little less than a decade ago. That may be true in other states, but not California.

fatorres · Nov 8, 2014

Hi,

Out of curiosity, which route did you end up taking or thinking of taking?

I'm also have a bachelor's degree and originally did not want to go in to an ADN program. BSN/ELMN was my plan, but like you, I didn't want a mountain of debt after graduation. So I applied to 6 different community colleges and got in to 2 (waiting to hear from 1 more). Anyways, even though ADN wasn't my original option, I decided to pursue it because 1) it's a lot cheaper and 2) more and more colleges are offering a 1 year program bridge program ADN-BSN ie. I'm hoping I made the right decision and that I can find a job w/ the ADN while completing my BSN.

Good luck to us!

So I graduated from UCLA with a BA already. i've heard that it's possible to finish an ADN in less than 2 yrs if I have a BA already. Is that true? Also, is it true that employment is near impossible as an ADN then go thru the RN to BSN or MSN route? Don't know if it's worth the debt to get a BSN/ELMN. I have no undergraduate loans

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Nov 8, 2014

What a Bachelors degree gets you as an ADN student is the ability to take just the nursing courses as you are recognized as having completed all of your GE requirements. I have a Bachelors and all I did was refresh my prerequisites and co-requisites and did absolutely zero Gen Ed for my ADN... I just attended the core coursework and when that was all completed, I graduated. For California ADN programs, if you've got a prior Bachelors, you'll be in the same situation that I was in.

Now then, as a Bachelors holder, you also have the option of an ABSN, Entry Level Masters (ELM), or going for a "traditional" BSN... but these will probably be more expensive than an ADN. In my case, the only viable option was the ADN, so I went that route. I'm going to get a BSN anyway, it's just a matter of when (I can afford it).

dcwang · Nov 10, 2014

@ favorers What one year ADN-BSN bridge programs are there in CA?

RunBabyRN · Nov 10, 2014

@ favorers What one year ADN-BSN bridge programs are there in CA?

Some of the CSUs offer them. That would probably be the least expensive option.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Nov 10, 2014

The CSUs (I think) require a student be "in residence" for 30 units. That could extend the amount of time necessary beyond a single "standard" academic year of 2 semesters. Certainly within the past year or so I've seen Full-Time and Part-Time schedules at Sac State that went either 2 or 3 semesters. One was >12 units, one was something like 9 or 10 units per semester.

If they were able pare things down to just those courses that weren't covered in an ADN program, they realistically could drop the semester number down to a short-term transition semester and a full semester.

Look around and find out what the various institutions require. If you have a Bachelor's already, you may be able to find a way to get into an MSN program and skip the BSN.

fatorres · Nov 10, 2014

Yes, there are CSUs that offer 1 year bridge programs. In fact most of the JCs in CA are partnered with the some CSU campuses ie CSULA, CSUN and CSUCI. Check with the JC that you plan to attend if they can help you with this.

@ favorers What one year ADN-BSN bridge programs are there in CA?

dah doh, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2014

It was a while back, but Mount Saint Mary's had a "fast track" RN program that a friend's wife went through that was less than 2 years if you already had a degree. I don't know if it still exists. I think it was expensive too and I'm not sure if it was an ADN or BSN.

I think many colleges offer bachelor degree to MSN type programs where you can take RN boards after a certain point, then work as an RN while you finish your MSN. It's an option to consider.

Lastly, for Southern California at least, most large hospitals or magnet hospitals desire BSN over ADN. There are so many new grads and fewer new grad programs now that those hospitals that do hire new grads can afford to be pickier and some will only interview BSNs. The only ADN new grads my unit interviewed were recommend by a current employee or worked at the hospital already so they had "a foot in the door". If you aren't "connected" so to speak, you are better off getting a BSN.

dcwang · Nov 10, 2014

finance is a consideration and i'm keeping my options open as i apply. of course, if i were in nursing school ADN, BSN, MSN, whatever the program is, i would always continue volunteering with the nurses, get to know the charge nurse, etc.

ShondaJ · Nov 10, 2014

I agree with Dah Doh.

BSN is the way to go. If you are worried about finances. Try Western Governors University. They have prelicensing BSN. Cost way less than the other school and they have good reviews and ratings. They have a southenrn california program.

I have a bachelors and thats where I am applying. I am not stepping down to an ADN because first the jobs are not there for ADN unless you dont mind nursing homes. Most hospitals want BSN required, even private companies are going BSN or higher. Second if you happen to get an ADN position you will be returning to school right after getting highered because they will higher you based on your returning to a BSN program. Todays ADN are being told to go get their BSNs. I met a few in the ERs that went through that.

I just cant see myself doing an Associates after a Bachelor at this point.

Visit. http://www.wgu.edu and try them out. I hear its an awesome program. Quite a few students on here. Cost less with quality education.

dcwang · Nov 10, 2014

i actually looked at the website. they do rotate at very good hospitals such as kaiser permanente and cedars sinai. don't know how reputable the school is however. for example, if i do rotate at the school, does that mean i can possibly get a job there? i wouldn't want to be seen as having gone to a second tier school.