ADN to RN-BSN vs. accelerated BSN & Columbia College vs. MU

[midmo]

Hi all! I've been reading these boards for quite a while and have learned so much from everyone. I hope there is someone out there who can give me some much needed advice!

I have a bachelor's degree in an unrelated area and am considering going back to school to be an RN. (I should have listened to my mom 10 years ago!). My question to you experienced folks is should I get an ADN, which would only take about a year since I have all science pre-reqs, and follow that with a RN to BSN, or do an accelerated BSN program? I am hoping to continue working to some degree while pursuing this and my current job is flexible with my hours. I don't know who else would pay my mortgage!!

My second question is concerning schools. Does anyone have any experience with Columbia College or MU's accelerated BSN? I had someone tell me recently that CC lost their accreditation for the Columbia campus. I haven't verified, but that is concerning since I was leaning more to applying there! Also, I am really interested in perioperative nursing if that makes a difference in the programs.

Thanks in advance for any info/advice!

[davisg01]

The take away that I received from reading a bunch of these threads is this......in good economic times, in terms of getting hired, not much difference between the two....in rough times.....the BSN wins hands down.

The rest boils down to this...time, $ and commitment, if you have it, go for the BSN. If cost is a roadblock, the ADN gets you on your way. Just my uninformed, uneducated and still on my way into NS opinion.

[autumn_twilight]

I would suggest, since you already have a bachelor's, that you go with an accelerated program. I'm not sure how old your science courses are, but if you go the ADN route I think they have to be less than 5 years old (or the schools out here are that way, at least). I do NOT know if that is a requirement if you go the accelerated BSN route (but I don't think you have to redo them if they are older). If it's not and your science courses are more than 5 years old, you could probably finish an accelerated BSN faster than an ADN program...and then going the ADN-BSN route would just cost more time and money. It sounds like the BSN is your goal anyway, so why take extra steps if you don't need to? Just my thoughts based on my understanding of what you've said.

As for schools, I haven't really looked into either of the ones you mentioned and I'm not familiar with the area so.... good luck! (Definitely look into the accreditation bit though.)

[PorterM]

I am a graduate of CC and work at the U so I can give a bit of scoop on both.

Firstly yes CC lost NLNAC accred but, we were told it was mainly a filing and paperwork issue and they are now listed as candidates. I believe they get reviewed this fall. I feel the program prepared me well for the workplace. I went into with a few years of LPN in my history and still had to study and work to keep up. The instructors were, in my mind, fair and impartial. They were available for counseling and test reviews by office hours and appt. I may have had a personality conflict with one or two but, that does not stop me from saying I believe that they are all not only sound educators but also sound practitioners.

The program expects professionalism from their students. Attendance and compliance are biggies. They do this to prepare some for the strict policies at many facilities.

Clinicals are held in Columbia for the most part with some specialties requiring out of town clinicals.

All in all I made it through with good grades and am happily working in administration now not a year out of boards.

As for the accelerated program I have some limited experience with their students. Their clinical time is about the same as CCs which means both move quickly. The accelerated program is I believe a 15 month program much in line with CC and awards a BSN. While a BSN is not required for in hospital work it can be handy to have it done with when you want to get more education. The rumors are that the accelerated program usually has a wait list.

Both are going to prepare you to practice well in roughly the same time. It is going to boil down to scheduling and preference for you probably. While much of CC is taught in the evening there are required days. I am unsure of the schedule of the Sinclair program.

Whichever you choose I wish you good luck in your studies.

[missourigirl2009]

Oh My goodness! You are telling my exact same story. I too have a bachelors and was looking into both programs. Let me tell you my story: I decided that Columbia College seemed easier and faster to get into, and I started the application process 35 for application fees, over 50 for my transcripts (long story...), 50 for the TEAS test, etc. etc. I got the run around despite graduating pre-med, doing a PA internship, and working as a nursing assistant for two years to try and test out of Nursing 209. I finally got the go ahead to test out and was not sent all of the test out material like I was supposed to receive, and neither did anyone else who took the test with me. It didn't matter anyways, because 90% of the test was stuff that someone would have told you in the classroom....I'm not kidding when 5 of the 50 questions are "what would be the correct response that a patient would say so that he understands the importance of fiber in their diet"....and believe me...the answers were ridiculous, and all valid. Plus, the secretary was the ONLY person there, and there were NO nursing instructors present (now, I'm not a genius, but who in the hell was supposed to grade us on the clinical test out? answer: secretary). I **** you not when I say that FOUR people total were signed up to test out, and of those four 1. Me and 2. Another random dude showed up, the other two didn't even show. Then to top it all off, someone came in who wasn't even on the list but was allowed to test out. If you passed the 50 min, 50 Q written test, then you could do the clinical test. About 10 min until finish the two guys turned their test in and walked out....never to return, the one guy looked over at me during the test and we both gave each other a knowing glance like "how in the hell is this place accredited"......BELIEVE ME....it's doesn't appear to just be about a mess up with paperwork. BTW, to the LPN lady, chances are the reason why you didn't have trouble was because you were an LPN prior to the program, and I know that those LPN's know their stuff! So, sorry to ramble, (and I'm sure I am leaving some stuff out). I will probably chalk up all that wasted money up to a lesson learned, and apply to the Sinclair program, after careful review, I saw the NCLEX pass rates and MU was much higher, plus, the program's I believe are similar in cost. Best of luck, and keep posting, it's nice to know Im not the only person in this position

[cmw6v8]

I took my pre-reqs at Columbia College and really enjoyed the coursework and the instructors I had there...not sure about the nursing courses though.

I would honestly apply to more than one program, but definitely go for the ABSN. It's hard to get in. I was put on the waitlist and didn't actually get a seat in this year's program. So I'm actually going to begin the BSN program at CMU in Fayette in a couple of weeks. It's a two-year program but it has a good reputation in the area. And it's definitely accredited! :)