ADN/BSN which would you choose?

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Here are my options

1. ADN at a college 20 mins away from me...not the best program..it has a nclex pass rate in the mid 70's. I am only missing one pre req which Im taking next semester...almost everyone who applies gets in especially if you have a high GPA..mine should be a 3.6 after next semester. I spoke with the nursing director and he didnt seem to think I would have a problem being chosen based on past TEAS scores and my current grades. I've spoke with a few grads..and they all rave about it and said it was a good school..and they all have jobs..so not sure what to think.

2. BSN at KU school of nursing...high pass rate...VERY hard to get into...wont be done with the extra pre reqs until Summer 2012 and if I was accepted I would start Fall 2012..and probably have to relocate closer to the school with my husband and 2 children. They also offer a RN-BSN online..but I would miss out on the clinical experience this school has to offer.

would you take the chance of getting into the BSN program and put off school..or go to the ADN program? I know passing the nclex is what I put into it and not necessarily the school so I am keeping that in mind. I just want to make the right decision.

little background info..i'll be 27 in Jan and have one child already who is almost 2 and a baby due the end of Dec...Im also currently accepted into a LPN program that starts next Fall..but the schedule is very busy..5 days a week 8 hours a day for 10mths..and the school is an hour from my house..but has a high pass rate..89% i think...so its my back up plan as of right now.

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Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.

Have you checked the NCLEX pass rate for the past several years? Is the pass rate you mentioned for just one year/most current year? I would check on that first.

If you have spoken to current students or past students and they seem to all love the school, that has to mean something. I personally feel the sooner you can reach your goal the better. There are a lot of advantages for going to the ADN school. It's much closer and that means more time with your family. I think I would go for the ADN, and then if you choose in the future, continue on with an accelerated ADN to BSN track. Best of luck with your decision.:)

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I had a very similar situation as you except that all the schools in my area had high pass rates and were difficult to get in. Looking at the programs I decided I didn't want to wait for a chance to get into the BSN programs later on when I could already be an RN through the ASN program and if I still wanted to go farther then I could always do the RN-BSN bridge programs offered at several schools in the area. I believe even two of the programs are online with the understanding that you will be working as a RN while you are in school, so it is very flexible to accommodate that. I really value the hands-on process and I feel that the more experience I have in the "real world" as an RN can only help me if I pursue my BSN after I graduate from my current program.

Another thing to consider is how moving would affect your husband and children. The BSN programs I was looking at were farther away in a dense population area. It would have made things very hard for my hubby with his job, too. People were pretty happy at all the programs, but I would steer clear of any that the students are miserable at. You have to spend a LOT of time there with the same people so it might as well be a supportive/positive experience IMHO.

We literally sat down with a list of pros and cons, but the ASN program won out. I am starting in January and will likely be graduating around the time that my friend waiting for the BSN program really gets going. She REALLY wants a BSN for her own sense of achievement, while I just want to be come an RN get some experience while I move forward as I am an older student, too. Ultimately we both want to do graduate work in nursing, but we are simply taking different paths to get there. :)

Best of luck!

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Well I would like to reply to this post as a mother and a nursing student. I have two little boys, 5 and 2, and I had a similar decision to make. First the ADN program u said had a mid 70's pass rate and really thats pretty low. Secondly, although you may be able to start it sooner would that really be an issue with the baby about to be due?

So my opinion would be to do the BSN program. You could take your time in doing it and still be able to enjoy your kids and husband. I don't know about ur state but mine the ADN programs are more rigid and the BSN a little more flexible, as far as most offer part-time. The one I'm in is full time but part time for me since i have my gen ed classes done.

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The ADN programs pass rates from 2004-2009 are...

73.93

80.43

74.19

84.78

74.11

75.68

the average for my state is around 84%-85%

The ADN program is 3x a week. The BSN program is 5 days a week 2 days 8-4 2 days 7-7 and one day 8-12..neither are flexible on their times.

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Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.

OP, I still hold to my original posting. The average for those 6 years is 77%, and if the state average begins at 84% it is clear that students are passing. The same exam is given nationwide and I am sure you will do fine in passing it. That is really what you are after. I have also heard that ADN/BSN generally start out at ABOUT the same sallary, give or take 50cents. So, to me it is not worth a potential move not to mention the wait. Go for the ADN, and then later you can bridge to the BSN. Thats my 2cnts. Good Luck..:)

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Hi I like you am in the same situation with the exception that I already have a Bachelor's Degree in another field. I have applied to a BSN program two times and have not been accepted because it is so competitive (my GPA is 3.6, TEAS 86.4)). This school has about 500 applicants per semester but can only accept 125. So my plan B is to apply to a few ASN programs, which are much easier to get in to, then bridge later on to a BSN.... all I will have to do is take the BSN clinical courses because I have all of the pre-req's. With the ASN program it will take 3 semesters then I can sit for the NCLEX- which is my main goal. Once I achieve that, I will only have to work 2-3 days per week and still have time to bridge. With your situation, I think that you should go the ADN route because it is more family-friendly and you will accomplish your main objective....becoming a nurse. And plus with a little one on the way, it won't be easy going to school doing the BSN Program. I understand the need to balance school and work. I have three children, 2 of them are under 2. Hope this helps.

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Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.

One last thought. Many times, it is a personal thing in that to some it appears as if the BSN is pehaps more important, better sounding if you know what I mean. It's more impressive to tell friends and family you are working on your "Bachelors Degree", vs an Associate degree. I am not saying that is wrong or a bad thing, but your patients are not going to know one way or another. So it is really up to how you feel about the 2 in terms "prestige". Good luck and I will shut-up now.:)

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Are you able to apply to the BSN program prior to completing pre-reqs? Most of the BSN programs I looked into allowed you to apply and be accepted 1 year prior to beginning the program, congingent on the completion of the remaining pre-reqs by the time you start. I applied to two BSNs and my local community college's ADN program, and took the school that sent my acceptance letter first, which was the ADN program. I then sent an email to the BSN programs asking that they remove me from the list so that they could choose someone else. If you could apply early then perhaps you could apply to both schools and see what happens.

One school had determined that some of my pre-reqs wouldn't transfer so they denied me until I completed what I needed (and the next semester sent me an acceptance letter, go figure) and the other BSN told me that I would have no problems getting in. I couldn't wait around for them to send a letter, though, if I had to respond to the ADN program by a certain date. I sometimes wish I had went to the BSN school, but basically as long as I am an RN at the end of the day then I am fine with that.

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OP, I still hold to my original posting. The average for those 6 years is 77%, and if the state average begins at 84% it is clear that students are passing. The same exam is given nationwide and I am sure you will do fine in passing it. That is really what you are after. I have also heard that ADN/BSN generally start out at ABOUT the same sallary, give or take 50cents. So, to me it is not worth a potential move not to mention the wait. Go for the ADN, and then later you can bridge to the BSN. Thats my 2cnts. Good Luck..:)

this is what I've heard as well...and ive only seen a handful of job postings that specifically ask for the bsn.

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Hi I like you am in the same situation with the exception that I already have a Bachelor's Degree in another field. I have applied to a BSN program two times and have not been accepted because it is so competitive (my GPA is 3.6, TEAS 86.4)). This school has about 500 applicants per semester but can only accept 125. So my plan B is to apply to a few ASN programs, which are much easier to get in to, then bridge later on to a BSN.... all I will have to do is take the BSN clinical courses because I have all of the pre-req's. With the ASN program it will take 3 semesters then I can sit for the NCLEX- which is my main goal. Once I achieve that, I will only have to work 2-3 days per week and still have time to bridge. With your situation, I think that you should go the ADN route because it is more family-friendly and you will accomplish your main objective....becoming a nurse. And plus with a little one on the way, it won't be easy going to school doing the BSN Program. I understand the need to balance school and work. I have three children, 2 of them are under 2. Hope this helps.

this is just like the BSN im applying for..last year they got 500 applicants and accepted 129..its brutally hard to get in!!!

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Are you able to apply to the BSN program prior to completing pre-reqs? Most of the BSN programs I looked into allowed you to apply and be accepted 1 year prior to beginning the program, congingent on the completion of the remaining pre-reqs by the time you start. I applied to two BSNs and my local community college's ADN program, and took the school that sent my acceptance letter first, which was the ADN program. I then sent an email to the BSN programs asking that they remove me from the list so that they could choose someone else. If you could apply early then perhaps you could apply to both schools and see what happens.

One school had determined that some of my pre-reqs wouldn't transfer so they denied me until I completed what I needed (and the next semester sent me an acceptance letter, go figure) and the other BSN told me that I would have no problems getting in. I couldn't wait around for them to send a letter, though, if I had to respond to the ADN program by a certain date. I sometimes wish I had went to the BSN school, but basically as long as I am an RN at the end of the day then I am fine with that.

If i had been on my game I would of looked at this program sooner..because yes they do let you apply before completing the pre reqs BUT the deadline was oct 15th for the fall 2011 class...so the earliest I could get in now is Fall 2012.

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