ADN to BSN to NP

scribblerpnp · Nov 30, 2006

How long will it take me to obtain my BSN after I get my ADN? And how long will it take me to get my NP after I get my BSN if I go full time?
Is there a program to go from an ADN to a masters?

Here is my best guess for an ADN-BSN-NP. 1 year to get the BSN and about two years for the MSN, so three years total at a full-time pace. You can probably find a BSN program on-line which may be better for you. I personally haven't heard of an ADN to MSN program, but I'm sure they exist somewhere. Why not? They have just about every other combination. They may not be common and as a result very competitive, which is something to consider, and most likely they would take anywhere from 2-3 years total at a full-time pace, so it isn't like you would be saving a lot of time. Plus you may have to move, pay more money, etc to go to an area that has that type of program.

The thing you must know about most of those types of programs is that if you drop out and don't finish, often times you get nothing. Meaning, if you didn't finish the MSN program of an ADN-MSN, you might not get get a consolation BSN, so that is something to ask if you find an ADN-MSN program. The college I graduated from had a BSN to PhD program, and it was like that. Either you finished and got a Phd, or you stayed with a BSN.

Hope that helps!

Trauma Columnist · Nov 30, 2006

I was in the same boat - I was an ADN who wanted to be an advanced practice nurse. I did look at some ADN to MSN programs but like scribblerrn so aptly puts it - you are taking a risk in case you can't finish it.

I ended up doing the BSN and then MSN online at University of Phoenix. Then...I did a post-MSN clinical nurse specialist in adult health.

akoster · Nov 30, 2006

I did it. I had my ADN then went to a BSN-MSN program. The difference is that you take less clinical time in your BSN and continue on for your MSN. IF you decided to stop at BSN then all you had to do was a few more hours of BSN time and stop there. I went through Graceland Universities Outreach program and only had to go to campus a few times. I did clinical time in my own town for BSN and MSN-FNP.

DaisyRN, ACNP · Nov 30, 2006

Hi there,

Been there, done that. :)

I got my ADN in 2003. Took a break and found a program that I ABSOLUTELY LOVED! Smartest program and organization of curricula I have ever encountered. Texas Tech University, Health Sciences Center RN-BSN program (http://www.ttuhsc.edu). Less prereqs required than some others I looked at, too. Anyway, it took a straight 2 semesters, was 100% online except for the few clinicals that you set up in your home area. It is geared for full-time working students. They stagger their courses so that you are only concentrating on 2-3 at any given time. Its like, one class lasts the entire semester, and the others are only 4-5 wks long. ITS GREAT! EVERYBODY worked while doing it. Teachers great! Only 2 day on campus requirement for orientation. Not sure where you are... but it was definitely a GREAT choice for me if you do decide to do your ADN first.

Now I am in an NP program that, at a full time pace, will take me about 18 months - VERY fast.

Benefits to doing ADN first in your situation... you get to work faster... can get on with your life to some degree (pay off bills, new vehicle, etc.)... find your niche in nursing, etc. Me personally, without my working experience to kind of point me in the right direction of what area of nursing I wanted to do as an NP, I would have probably gone a completely different route with the MSN/NP and been completely disappointed! I believe 100% in overachieving... welcome to my world! LOL... but, take it a little slow. Nursing is a great career choice and I love it, but just because you have something set in your head right now... it may change. I'd just hate for you to get into some rush to get your NP without having enough time to figure out what makes you the happiest and gives you the most satisfaction... does that make sense?

And yes, there are RN-MSN programs out there. Most of them are MSN-Education stuff, but I think there are NP ones, too. I know that TTU has one of those too.

BEST WISHES!! And don't hesitate to PM me!

augigi, CNS · Nov 30, 2006

I have already taken all the basics required for a BSN. I recently moved to an area where it is impossible to get into a BSN program unless you have a 3.7 GPA which I do not have. I have been accepted into an ADN program but am still unclear about the path ahead of me.
How long will it take me to obtain my BSN after I get my ADN? And how long will it take me to get my NP after I get my BSN if I go full time? Is there a program to go from an ADN to a masters?

Why not just find an online BSN program? There are many excellent ones.