ADN with a BA

[dcwang]

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

[ShondaJ]

For LA county Cohorts. Cedar Sinai and Huntington Memorial. Not Kaiser. Kaiser is only a supporter hospital of the school. No clinicals.

[ShondaJ]

They also have Two hospitals in Orange County and one or two in Riverside. All good hospitals.

[ShondaJ]

They have a good rep. Go to the college section on this site and go to Western Governors University. They have their own section.

[ShondaJ]

They have a good rep. Go to the college section on this site and go to Western Governors University. They have their own section.

[fatorres]

I've heard plenty of great things about WGU's program. I actually wanted to apply to their BSN too, but was discouraged to find out that they were only taking 20 students the semester I was planning to apply. WGU would definitely be another option to take your BSN once you've received your ADN. In fact, I may take my BSN there after my ADN. It's much cheaper compared to other programs.

Also, I wanted to point out that there are a few colleges where you can get your BSN as a 2nd degree student. The only thing is, they're impacted. If BSN is your first option, I would apply to those programs and then also apply to JCs as a back up. Good luck!

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.

[dah doh, BSN, RN]

@fatorres: I think the reason WGU accepts so few students is because the students do the clinicals only at that one hospital. That's a lot of students all at one time!

To the OP: WGU is an accredited nursing school. Look on the BRN website for pass rates if you're looking for a nursing school with a high NCLEX pass rate. As for possibility of a job afterwards? Did you make a standout impression to your clinical coach or any of the staff during your clinicals? Were you pro-active in the learning process with a positive attitude and a "go-getter"? If so, you might get a job or at least an interview!

[ispilledink2]

In California having your ADN RN is absolutely acceptable. I know many nurses that have found jobs with there ADN degree. Throughout LA county and in great Hospitals. Med-Surg, ER and in Surgery. There are also ADN to Masters of Nursing programs in California. I would look into that. Depending on what exactly you want to do with your Nursing career. If you have BA you can even apply to the PA program as soon as you complete your Science pre reqs. Good luck to you.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

Totally forget the idea of getting an ADN with a prior bachelors degree. Some people think having a non-nursing BA or BS and an ADN somehow magically equates to a BSN, but it does not! You need an actual BSN degree from a nursing school. Some people scoff at the idea of getting a 2nd bachelors when they already have one, but this is what you have to do in this market. You can also get your MSN as an entry level degree if you want (especially if that is your ultimate goal), but not sure how much more marketable that would make you over getting a BSN. An accelerated BSN is your best bet in your situation.

[dcwang]

@ ispilledink2. did they have prior experience if they had an ADN. I've also heard with an ADN but plenty of experience, they are the ones that could get jobs.

[ShondaJ]

WGU does not have clinicals at only one hospital. I don't know where that was told at.

They have two big hospitals in LA County, One in Orange County and I believe one or two in Riverside County.

They admit a small amount because they want to make sure the student is a good fit for an online nursing program. They don't want students entering the program not serious about their education and not willing to do the work and study, completing their assignments and keeping up with the timelines through out the program. If you are not ready for a school who offers the course portion online and can't handle online classes, then you won't be a good fit for the program. They are very picky on who they choose for the program.

The first 6 months are core classes which are online, then you will apply for the clinical portion in which you will have your course with clinicals at the hospital cohort you applied for and got accepted in. You will conduct your clinical with one nursing coach who is an employee of the hospital who was hired by the school to do one on one clinicals for WGU students. You will work your nursing coach's hours and day the school schedules you for.

I have been working with my enrollment counselor for the last year while I complete my requirements to submitted my nursing packet for Oct 2015.