Adn, Bsn Or Msn

TNMommy · May 24, 2008

I am in the Nashville area of Tennessee and the ADN programs around here are VERY hard to get in. Everyone going to a community college to get their RN is trying to get into the ADN program. I have found that the BSN programs are somewhat easier because they take more students at a time and accept 3 times a year. Also, some of the programs around here let you forego the NET if you have a bachelors in another area of study.

I would also like to point out that at Vanderbilt, you can bridge over to the MSN program if you have completed 78 transferable credit hours. The website for Vandy is http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/admissions/admission_req.html

It also states that if you have a bachelors in another area of study, you can bridge with 11 extra courses in natural science.

Anyway, I hope that this info helps! Good Luck!

Kayla

edogs334 · May 24, 2008

Hello everyone,
I'm new to this forum and just have a few questions. I have a BS in Management and was curious what part i should take in becoming a nurse. I am currently thinking about going the ADN route, is that the best route to take in becoming an RN since most MSN programs require one to be an RN first b4 one can get into their MSN progam. As far as the BSN,i believe competition to get in is so high, so i opted for the ADN part. Am i doing the right thing? Pls advice. I'm thinking on going to Hawaii for the ADN program but currently in Texas. Finally, is there anywhere in the DFW area Texas where one can take the NLN RN Pre-exam?

Hey,

In deciding which program is best for you, you have to consider factors like: 1)how much time you can devote to a nursing education; 2)whether or not you will have to work during the program; 3)your financial situation/tuition costs/how much financial aid you can get; 4)whether or not you can move to another city/state to go to school; and 5)what you may want to do with your nursing degree once you graduate (ie- staying in bedside nursing vs. going on to grad school). Also, consider what (and how many) pre-requisite courses each program requires and/or how long it would take you to complete them.

In terms of getting into an MSN program, as far as I know (I'm a BSN student), it would be easier to get into an MSN program if you went the BSN route. RN-to-MSN programs (for ADN's who want to get a Master's) usually require that ADN-prepared nurses meet additional pre-requisite requirements to get into their programs. That being said, completing an RN-to-MSN program (after getting an ADN) is far from impossible, and can be done. In fact, one of my professors went that exact route (ADN--->MSN) after being an ADN-prepared nurse for a while. If you have to work (more than 10-20 hrs/week), I would definitely consider going for an ADN program first, because ADN programs usually have more part-time options compared to BSN programs. If you don't have anything tying you down (ie- spouse, kids, a house/mortgage, etc), you might consider applying to programs (esp. BSN programs) in other cities and/or states to expand your options. Just beware that you might have a hard time (at least initially) adjusting to a completely different area from the one you grew up in/are used to- especially if you don't know anyone in a particular area. Believe me, I've been there. Also, for what reason would you consider an ADN program in HI (just out of curiosity)?

How do you know that the competition to get into BSN programs is higher than that in ADN programs? If you only heard this through heresay, you should definitely get the facts from the programs themselves. In many areas (as the poster from TN said), ADN programs are more competitive to get into than BSN programs, simply because ADN programs are more affordable and can more easily accomodate working students. You also have to consider the job market in your area (or in the area you want to move to). Do most of the hospitals have a strong preference for hiring BSN-prepared RN's? Or does it not matter for the most part? I've worked with plenty of stellar ADN-prepared nurses, but HR in some hospitals seems to think that BSN-prepared new grads are somehow "better prepared" than ADN RN's. :icon_roll

As I said, explore ALL of your options and get ALL of the facts from the programs directly- don't exactly trust what other people say. If I had believed people who said "OMG!, it's near-impossible to get into RN school these days," then I wouldn't have applied and I wouldn't be where I am today. The program I got into had a very competitive admissions process, but looked at several facets of my application- NOT just my GPA. I had a 3.0 in my previous degree- which most people thought was too low to get in- but I got in anyway because of my essay, my references and my patient care experience. So, bottom line, you never know until you try.

Here is a link to the Texas Board of Nursing's list of professional nursing education programs: http://www.bon.state.tx.us/nursingeducation/edudocs/rnschools.pdf

justme1972 · May 25, 2008

Depends on where you live.

Here they weren't that competive. I got waitlisted but admitted to the program even before the previous semester ended. I also live in a very low population area which helps.

When you are a new nurse, a BSN is not going to help you pay wise..maybe a few cents an hour, but that's about it.

Get your ADN...that way you can work while getting your BSN and probably get the hospital to pay for it as well. They usually take about the same amount of time to complete.

My sister finished nursing school this month, she had a BS in Sociology. She actually did not want to do patient-care nursing and got a job with a pharmaceutical company...which prefers BSN's, but since she had a BS in a human relations field, they accepted that.

She still plans, however, to get her BSN.

Sexybrown · May 25, 2008

Thank you so much guys. Your advice did help. My husband is in the Military and would be stationed in Hawaii, thats why i was considering schooling in Hawaii. But from reading everyone's post, the BSN route is the best if i don't have to work which am not planning on doing.

msdizzydolores · May 25, 2008

You are in the same boat I'm in. I have my BA in Management of Information Systems, and I am thinking about applying to nursing schools. I had all but made my mind up to do the ADN (AAS) from a community college or a diploma program (I live in PA where they are plentiful!), but now I am conflicted about getting a BSN.

We have some part time BSN's in the area (all require pre reqs except one which surprises me) and I am thinking about going this route.

If I have to take the pre reqs, I won't be able to get into nursing school until next fall which would suck.

I don't know which route to go. I really don't.