ADN/BSN/Residency

[CNM2B201?]

Here is my dilemma.

One of the closer hospitals to me is a teaching hospital, magnet status, they have their own nursing program and come highly recommended... but do hire outside as well. They offer a nurse residency program that is 1yr long to all new grads that are offered a job there and they hire new grads quite often. You can not have any nursing experience though and must be a new BSN graduate from any BSN program to qualify for the residency. When I spoke to them they said they offer the residency year round and have quite a few new grads partake in it.

My dilemma is what school to go to.

Their nursing program is very hard to get into...extremely hard...they take about 100 students and receive 600 applicants. So my chances are very slim. Which is why i was considering ADN and then going through their online BSN program-easier to get into-..I figured using their BSN would give me a better chance of getting hired at their hospital once completed...but again..i wouldnt be able to work while completing the BSN because then they wouldnt consider me a new grad for the residency. going the RN to BSN route scares me a bit..because of the not working and if im not hired by the hospital...how would that look to other employers if I said I hadnt worked for a full year after getting my RN??

however..there is a BSN program very close to me..easier to get into I could start Fall 2012..so i would be putting school off another year..and using a different BSN program...but at least I wouldnt go a year w/out using my nursing skills.

which would you choose

1. ADN program start Fall 2011, RN to BSN online through the hospital, not work for a year while doing BSN and pray that I get the residency.

2. go with the local BSN program start Fall 2012 and see if I can get into the residency right after school.

I guess my problem is im scared of putting off school for another 2yrs...when I was set to go next fall to the ADN...but Im also scared of doing the BSN online and not working for a year just to try and get the residency.

I really want this residency because I feel it would make me a better prepared nurse and most definitely a more confident one.

[nursynurseRN]

I would choose option A

[klone, MSN, RN]

I would not choose the option where you had to NOT work for a year in order to qualify for the residency program.

[j621d]

I would apply to all and then see where you stand.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

I'd go for the ADN now. You've tied your future very tightly to a residency program that you may or may not get, and it's too far in the future to be this worried about, IMHO

[CNM2B201?]

I'd go for the ADN now. You've tied your future very tightly to a residency program that you may or may not get, and it's too far in the future to be this worried about, IMHO

Very true...I tend to "latch on" to ideas..and plan around them. I call it the "planner's curse":)

[CNM2B201?]

If I go the ADN path...and choose not to work while I got my bsn.... would employers look down on that? I would assume after a year I wouldnt remember much from my nursing training...so to answer mine own question..that would probably be frowned upon correct?

[RscodADN10]

Go to the ADN. The future is very far away and if you don't take the opportunity you have now you may not have one later. Stop planning and start living. I am the same way. But I have realized it's better to just let things be.

[delleh]

If it were me, I'd probably choose to get started on ADN in the fall. Alot of things can change in two years, and you're likely to make some valuable connections and learn about other opportunities while working toward your degree. Good luck with the path that you choose!

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

"Life is what happens while we're busy making other plans" John Lennon

Are you going to get going with life or spend time on fragile plans? IMHO.

Good luck, best wishes, and happy holidays.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Go to school now and see where things fall into place later. This residency program may not exist in 2-3 years.

[noahsmama]

I would get the ADN, and I would most definitely NOT take a year off after that -- especially if the only reason is so that you can do an RN-BSN bridge and still be a "new grad" a year later so you can apply for the 1 in 6 chance of getting into this one particular residency program!

Get the ADN, get a job as an RN as soon as you can, and start getting experience as a working RN! Fit the RN to BSN bridge in when you can find the time and money -- meanwhile, you'll be getting experience that will help when you apply for any future jobs you might try for, including jobs at Magnet Hospital if you still want to work there.

Good luck!