ADN now or BSN later?

AccelCNL, MSN, RN · Sep 23, 2013

I live in NY but here is my .02.

Your GPA is low but you already now that. Nursing school particularly ABSN or direct-entry programs depend upon your undergrad GPA as a barometer for success in their program. Is it always fair to just judge in such an arbitrary manner? No, however usually they are correct in their guesses.

I applied to an ABSN and got in but due to the lack of funds I did not attend ( it was over 50K). I decided to apply to my local CC and get an ASN ( total less than 10K). In NY ( particularly in the metro area where I live) the preference is for BSN-prepared nurses. However, I would rather get my ADN than wait until I have the money to go the the ABSN. You should use that same philosophy.

I understand your GPA is not great at all. However, take the nursing prereqs over if you must and some other classes at your local CC. Get an excellent GPA. Taking courses and having a solid GPA over a period of time will allow programs to see your growth as a student. Take that route if you want to go for the BSN ( especially from what I heard getting into BSN programs in CA is harder than the process in NY- and getting in over here is ultra competitive)

If you want to start immediately I say aim for the ADN program since you are pretty confident that you can get in according to what you stated. There are always RN-BSN programs that you could do afterwards. That is my plan. I would love to take the shorter route and go to an ABSN. However, I do not have the money and I want to be fiscally responsible. At the end of the day a nurse is a nurse. I would rather be a ADN-prepared nurse than not a nurse at all. Once you pass the NCLEX you can always go back to school ( RN-BSN, RN-MSN, even RN-PhD).

I know how you feel. I want the BSN and I want it now not later especially since I know I want to eventually earn a PhD or DNP. However, life is life and we just have to roll with the punches. Once you start classes you won't feel like wasting time anymore.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Sep 23, 2013

I decided to start with an ADN because the circumstances work out better for my situation. Many ADN programs in my area now have bridge programs to complete the BSN. The program I hope to get into has a bridge, where you can attend a university for 1 additional year to complete the BSN. Have you looked to see if the ADN program which you are interested in offers a bridge program?

Murse Wannabe · Sep 23, 2013

My ADNs do not have bridge programs, but there are plenty of schools in the area that offer RN-BSN/RN-MSN programs so I'm not worried about going for more education at all.

I'd like to hear more from people who graduated with ADNs recently (within 2 years) and see what their experiences have been transferring and/or finding jobs. I know a ton of BSN nurses that were having problems finding jobs after they graduated, so I can only imagine the search for ADNs much be even worse? Or do I just have some slacker friends? hah

AccelCNL, MSN, RN · Sep 23, 2013

I do not know you friends but I don't think that they are lazy. The job outlook just depends on the area. Like it is super competitive for new grads in the NYC hospitals. It is easier ( still competitive but not as much) in the suburbs and northern NY. I do not know the CA outlook but I am pretty sure the search won't be easy. Look at all the pros and cons.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Sep 24, 2013

Given the choice of going straight into a regular ADN program vs. BSN program, and having to wait for the BSN program to begin, I would rather go for the ADN program. On the other hand, if I knew that I could get into a BSN program and did not have to worry about whether or not I would be selected, I might then just wait for the BSN. I also have a bachelors degree and for me the BSN program would've been a two-year program, just like the ADN program is. Of course I also could have attempted to get into an accelerated BSN program, but that would've been a lot more money because of the increased tuition and the inability to work during the program.

In my particular case, however, the local university was not accepting 2nd bachelor students into any program, including nursing. Therefore my only options were: ADN, accelerated BSN, ADN (private college), or move out of state somewhere. I am not young, I am not single, and therefore that last option is not available realistically speaking. Now, since I have a first bachelors already, I have a number of options once I complete my ADN program. I can return to school as a postbaccalaureate student and get the coursework I need to apply to an MSN program, or I can apply to an RN – BSN transition program. I'm sure I could come up with other options, but these are the main 2.

Look at your own timeline. Look at what you can afford. Make your decision and go for it. Only you can make things happen. If you can get through ADN and upgrade to BSN in the same amount of time it would take for you to get your BSN by jumping through the hoops to get in to a BSN program, why not go for ADN->BSN?

NeoNurse2Be · Sep 24, 2013

Ultimately I would say go for the BSN because although they say an ADN program is 2 years, it really turns out to be almost 3. Also you have a better chance at getting certain jobs right out of college. On the other hand an ADN will let you finish earlier and is much less expensive. I chose to do the ADN because it's half the cost, so when I transfer I would still have paid less. Also, there are some hospitals (like the one I volunteer in) that will let you attend their college for free. In that case, I would have paid for my ADN and my BSN/DNP would be free. It all depends on where you are in life, if time and money is on your side, go for the BSN.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Sep 24, 2013

I agree, the cost of the ADN plus the BSN bridge is going to be way less than a straight BSN at a 4 year university (here entrance into the university programs requires some points for attending their school for prerequisites - however I did have an associates already too. It was going to work out that I would need to go to school for the same amount of time either way. Also, the ADN program I am hoping to get into has clinical locations in my local town. I thought this is a great opportunity to scope out the hospitals and get my foot in the door or at least get some recommendation letters in this area. There are a lot of advantages for me to go the ADN route. Oh, also the BSN programs in my area require nearly a 4.0 and excellent TEAVs score. However, the ADN program goes by a point system and that way I have a better chance of getting in!

All to say, it depends on the cirumstances and what works out best for you. If you know without a doubt that you will have no problem getting into the BSN, it might be worth going that route.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Sep 25, 2013

Obviously, y'all have done your homework & have a pretty good understanding of the pro's and con's - ADN vs BSN. But there is an issue that you need to consider. We're seeing it a lot in my part of the country.

ADN graduates are unable to get a hospital job, so they work in LTC or another non-acute area while they do RN-BSN. They graduate BSN but discover that they are STILL unable to get a hospital job because they have no acute care experience & are not eligible for a new grad residency which is the 'no-experience' pathway into a hospital job. They are in career limbo. Career-wise, it would have been much better just to go for BSN in the first place.

NeoNurse2Be · Sep 25, 2013

Obviously, y'all have done your homework & have a pretty good understanding of the pro's and con's - ADN vs BSN. But there is an issue that you need to consider. We're seeing it a lot in my part of the country.
ADN graduates are unable to get a hospital job, so they work in LTC or another non-acute area while they do RN-BSN. They graduate BSN but discover that they are STILL unable to get a hospital job because they have no acute care experience & are not eligible for a new grad residency which is the 'no-experience' pathway into a hospital job. They are in career limbo. Career-wise, it would have been much better just to go for BSN in the first place.

That is a good point, but it does depend greatly on where you live. On this side ADN's are eligible for residencies just like BSN graduates. There are a lot of ADN's that go that route. Also there are other hospital's here that will accept an ADN if you're willing to pursue your BSN later. So again, it all depends on where you live, but that's exactly why it's so important to do your research before you jump into anything.

Stephalump · Sep 25, 2013

That is a good point but it does depend greatly on where you live. On this side ADN's are eligible for residencies just like BSN graduates. There are a lot of ADN's that go that route. Also there are other hospital's here that will accept an ADN if you're willing to pursue your BSN later. So again, it all depends on where you live, but that's exactly why it's so important to do your research before you jump into anything.[/quote']
I think people also need to keep in mind that things have been set into motion...even if you may not see them right now.
3 years ago, when I decided to go to nursing school, ADNs were just as employable as BSNs. I'd heard rumors that it was changing in some places, but everyone I knew had no problem getting into residencies.
I'm graduating in 7 months, and there's now almost no chance of me being employed in a hospital unless I'm enrolled in a BSN program immediately after graduation. We're locked out of 99% of the residency programs, as well.
Some places are slower to change, but the change is a'comin'. If you can be prepared, it's your best bet.

NeoNurse2Be · Sep 27, 2013

That's true. That sucks for those that are in an area that don't want to accept ADN's in a hospital. There are many hospital's here that will take in a whole class of ADN's, so for right now, ADN is still a good option in this area. Maybe you should look at relocating after school.