ADN right before entering nursing school?

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(I'm new here, and I couldn't seem to find a section this would fit under. I really don't know... probably Education or Pre-Nursing? STAFF: Move to whichever one you feel is more appropriate!)

Long story short, I was accepted to Mount St Mary's ADN program, which I'm to start in fall 2011. I called in and tried to ask when the first day of school really was, but the receptionist cut me off, "Yeah, I'm sorry but I actually don't know anything about that besides what it says on the website. I'm assuming, like you said, it's in late August, yeah. I don't know, but probably. If you're really curious in the specifics, you'd have to speak to [and she provided the full name of my counselor, who had been writing and calling me a few times]."

So... I finished high school two years early and headed to two community colleges to hurry and complete my mission. I actually have taken all the classes needed so far. As in, everything on that page, except Chemistry and English 101, both of which I'm planning to tackle this Winter Intersession.

However, the problem is, I have been speaking to many people about my decision. The typical response? "Yeah, that's a good choice. Nursing is a good profession. It's always demanding." Not in Los Angeles, many thanks to overpopulation in both schools and the workplace, limited job opportunities, and some other urban/economical problems. I've heard there's similar dilemmas in both San Francisco and New York City (a quick search on this particular forum confirms it, especially in recent years). A couple have told me, "You know, it ~IS~ a great idea and an even better profession. Your parents must be proud of you. But the bad news is that being an ADN isn't good anymore. Even 10 or 20 years ago it was, but now most people are aiming for BSN or MSN. BSN and beyond gives you the opportunity to work with technology as a nurse, and you'll most likely have hiring advantage and higher income, if just slightly." And I heard the same from my parents. Unfortunately, MSM's program is $60k, and I don't think financial aid can cover much, but I feel the pressure to quickly earn a BSN. I'm not planning on having kids right now, and I have been celibate and single my whole life, so I believe I can continue this - a guy at my college told me the same thing, "I don't think it's ~THAT~ bad if you don't marry and have kids right after graduation if you get a BSN right now. Alternatively, you can just pay it off with the money you make from the RN degree and then go to an RN-BSN program."

So... yeah, I guess my question kind of is: is this a good idea? I do not know for sure, but I believe the RN-BSN way is actually faster, although you have to complete some other classes before diving into the latter. Does anybody have any other advice?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Check out the Registered Nurses: Diploma, ADN, or BSN? forum here. This question comes up quite frequently.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

If you can't pull off the $60K for the BSN then do the ADN. You may well have to re-locate to find a new grad job reguardless of what degree you have. New grads are having a hard time finding jobs, it's just a little harder for the ADNs. Once you have experience it will matter MUCH elss what degree you started with and you can always do RN to BSN.

One point I wanted to address. The BSN does not have the oppertunity to "work with technology" any more or less than the ADN, except that the new grad BSN has an edge on actually landing that first job.

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Specializes in ortho/neuro.

There is no technology I'm aware of that a BSN can use that an ADN can not. It is tough for everyone to find a job right now, but they're predicting that when the economy rebounds more older nurses will retire therefore opening up a lot more jobs. Do what your heart tells you to, but just know that once you have your ADN, it's only 1 year more (and online) to get your BSN. You can do this while you work.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Don't worry about family and babies right now.. you have a ton of time to do that. Get your education.. end goal should at least be a BSN because of the shift toward that in many hospital todays.. but plenty of ADNs are getting work and are paid just as good.

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Specializes in TELEMETRY.

So... yeah, I guess my question kind of is: is this a good idea? I do not know for sure, but I believe the RN-BSN way is actually faster, although you have to complete some other classes before diving into the latter. Does anybody have any other advice?

Well I just graduated with my ADN a year ago and almost done with my BSN. I think you can get a job as a floor nurses. I have earned this year about 56,000 and with a few OT shifts. I hope with my BSN I can move forward. I think your ADN will get you in the door but don't expect to be hired on the spot give it 6 months to a year to get any position. BTW, a new grad BSN won't get you a job easier, it just looks good on paper and may land you an interview faster. What you need is experience in health. I would recommend being a CNA at the hospital where you want to work and work there as soon as your graduate.Secondly, defintiely finish to get your BSN, I feel like floor nursing is back breaking work and after a while it will be hard on you physically and moving up to charge many poalces require a BSN. If you are beoming a nurse for the simple fact that you really want to help then I think its the best decsion you will ever I make. I mean I feelgreat about what I do weven though some days are bad. I never regret mydecsion on beoming a nurse. i find though I work with A LOT of NEW GRAD RN's who went to nursing school for the "stability" The "hours" or The "good MONEY" a nursing career provides, and guess what, they are miserable. I find it that many people who go into nursing for the wrong reasons HATE IT. That really makes my job harder all the way arond, but another topic for another thread. I think when you graduate you wiill eventually find a job Mt St Mary's is a great private school and I am sure it will look great on your resume and I am pretty sure you will find work. Make friend with Charge nurses and managers during your clinical rotations. Evfen though there is a surplus of nurses new grads and all there are still jobs out there.

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So... yeah, I guess my question kind of is: is this a good idea? I do not know for sure, but I believe the RN-BSN way is actually faster, although you have to complete some other classes before diving into the latter. Does anybody have any other advice?

Either the BSN or ADN will allow you to work as an RN. Which one is faster depends on the program, some accelerated BSN programs are only 18 months. The ADN programs are definitely less expensive. Many hospitals are requiring the BSN for new grads. I'd say, go for the BS. Best of luck to you, whatever your decision

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Wow! Received ADN a year ago and almost done with BSN?! That's amazing...:hug:

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

I am in a similar situation as you. I graduated a year early(17), and had the opportunity to pursue my BSN, but chose and ADN. I personally feel that it would be wise if you have already been accepted into an ADN program, you should continue with your course. Regardless of being ADN or BSN prepared I'm sure you will be able to find a job somewhere. Like it was said earlier, experience is really what most are looking for.

Don't let people psych you out. almost 60% of the RNs in the US are ADN prepared. Now don't think I'm encouraging you to not get your BSN, because you should definitely get it! I am just saying you are have accomplished a lot being so young, don't dismiss ADN because some say, like they have for the past 20 years ADN is unwanted or being done away with. You seem to be intelligent, do what you feel is best.

In regards to RN-to-BSN being faster. In many places and ways it can be, especially if you re-enroll in a RN to BSN program immediately after you complete your ADN, which is what I plan to do. IT can also be much cheaper to do ADN and then RN-to-BSN. Of course different programs are different and you must factor in a year to do prereqs if that's what you decided to do. Even with me doing a year of prereqs, my friends, who all went to pursue a BSN, and I, who is pursuing an ADN will finish around the same time and all of with our BSNs, except I will have been a nurse almost a year during their final semester of school. They will graduate in May and be new BSN nurses! I will graduate in June or July and be a BSN nurse with a year of experience! You have to weigh your options as you know what you want. Hope everything works out!

A lot of online RN to BSN programs allow you to complete your BSN in 3 semesters. THE BSN program I plan on going to has that feature.

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Wow! Received ADN a year ago and almost done with BSN?! That's amazing...:hug:

That's what I was thinking!

I am in a similar situation as you. I graduated a year early(17), and had the opportunity to pursue my BSN, but chose and ADN. I personally feel that it would be wise if you have already been accepted into an ADN program, you should continue with your course. Regardless of being ADN or BSN prepared I'm sure you will be able to find a job somewhere. Like it was said earlier, experience is really what most are looking for.

Don't let people psych you out. almost 60% of the RNs in the US are ADN prepared. Now don't think I'm encouraging you to not get your BSN, because you should definitely get it! I am just saying you are have accomplished a lot being so young, don't dismiss ADN because some say, like they have for the past 20 years ADN is unwanted or being done away with. You seem to be intelligent, do what you feel is best.

In regards to RN-to-BSN being faster. In many places and ways it can be, especially if you re-enroll in a RN to BSN program immediately after you complete your ADN, which is what I plan to do. IT can also be much cheaper to do ADN and then RN-to-BSN. Of course different programs are different and you must factor in a year to do prereqs if that's what you decided to do. Even with me doing a year of prereqs, my friends, who all went to pursue a BSN, and I, who is pursuing an ADN will finish around the same time and all of with our BSNs, except I will have been a nurse almost a year during their final semester of school. They will graduate in May and be new BSN nurses! I will graduate in June or July and be a BSN nurse with a year of experience! You have to weigh your options as you know what you want. Hope everything works out!

A lot of online RN to BSN programs allow you to complete your BSN in 3 semesters. THE BSN program I plan on going to has that feature.

Yeah, I realize that less than 20% of American nurses hold a BS or higher, but that figure may change in the future.

Yeah, I think I'm just going to get my ADN first and then join an RN-BSN program, as has been mentioned here. It shouldn't be that bad, but I look at the descriptions of passing ~TWO~ exams and taking ~TWO~ sets of perquisites and I feel like I just got hit by a truck (not ~THAT~ bad, maybe, but...). Anyway, if I did it once before, I could probably do it again.

Thanks for all your help.

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I do not believe that 1 is better or worse than the other, it's all just a matter of personal choice. I definately think that you should consider the financial burden you would be placing on yourself. I personally was lucky enough to have my parents pay for college the 1st time around, I have a BA in Social work, but decided to do a career change. I applied and was accepted into both an ADN & BSN program. I opted for the ADN because there was a $35,000 difference in the cost!! There are plenty of BSN completion programs out there if you choose to continue, plus if you are already an RN you job will likely have some form of tuition reimbursement to help with the BSN/MSN you want to get. I have even seen some ADN to MSN programs in my area. You are still young, don't stress about it. Try to incur as little debt as possible, so you're not up to your eyeballs in loans as a new grad. The economy is in the crapper right now for sure, all across the board. But it will perk up eventually. This decision is not a permanent one, you have the option to continue to add to your education as much as you want to. Just because you go for the ADN now doesn't me that you can never get your BSN or MSN.

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I do not believe that 1 is better or worse than the other, it's all just a matter of personal choice. I definately think that you should consider the financial burden you would be placing on yourself. I personally was lucky enough to have my parents pay for college the 1st time around, I have a BA in Social work, but decided to do a career change. I applied and was accepted into both an ADN & BSN program. I opted for the ADN because there was a $35,000 difference in the cost!! There are plenty of BSN completion programs out there if you choose to continue, plus if you are already an RN you job will likely have some form of tuition reimbursement to help with the BSN/MSN you want to get. I have even seen some ADN to MSN programs in my area. You are still young, don't stress about it. Try to incur as little debt as possible, so you're not up to your eyeballs in loans as a new grad. The economy is in the crapper right now for sure, all across the board. But it will perk up eventually. This decision is not a permanent one, you have the option to continue to add to your education as much as you want to. Just because you go for the ADN now doesn't me that you can never get your BSN or MSN.

If I can give you more Kudos I would becaue people fail to understand that.

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