ADN vs BSN My daughter and I having a heated Discussion!

[NOIRLINCOLN]

My daughter has taken, with the exception of A&P I&2, her prereqs. She is taking both this summer. She will be eligible to enter the ADN program this fall. I am so excited about her getting her uniform, white shoes, stethescope, nursing care plan sheets, and clinically rotating this fall! She is contemplating going to a BSN program instead. The BSN program at the university is $455.00 per credit hr as opposed to $81.00 at the Jr college. Obviously money is an issue for us, and I do not want her to go into debt. I told her that it is best to take her NCLEX asap and not to put unnecessary time and info between that time. I also feel that she will get more nursing experience by doing it what I call the 2+1 way, which is the bridge program rather than the 3+0 way, not to mention that the hospital will probably pay for the bridged year. I do not like (4) yr colleges b/c I have never had as great an exp. at any of them as at the community colleges. I have gone to (4) diff (4) yr colleges, and (2) diff community colleges. I am currently enrolled in an ADN community college program and I love my instructors! She will be going to a different community college in a different state. I am very familiar with the community college that she will, God willin', go to this fall, b/c I graduated from there with an AS degree and she has taken all her prereqs except Micro there. We disagree every night about this decision b/c I do not feel that more general education classes will make her a better nurse, and it will cost her a year of work. She plans to meet with the (4) colleges and find out if she can enter with sophomore status. I have looked at some of the (4) yr curriculums and they are absurd. They require pathophysiology (4) cr, pharmacology (3) cr, foundations (5) cr, nutrition (3) cr, and sociology (3) cr this is a ttl of (18) cr which is inhumane, as opposed to (8) cr at the Jr college. I really feel that (18) cr is a recipe for failure. She tells me that she wants to be challenged, live on campus, she is convinced that she can have a social life while going to nursing school, and has long range plans to go to med school. I tell her lets make small successes, and then progress to bigger ones.

Edited by Nurse Ratched: exciting update to original poster's story on post #75! Congrats to daughter! :) Adding this because I don't want folks new to the thread to miss it.

https://allnurses.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1034637&postcount=75

[manna, BSN, RN]

Then there's the question - if she wants to go to med school, why go to nursing school to begin with?

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I think we should give our children the necessary foundation to make good decisions but there comes a point when we have to let go and give them the steering wheel.

I attended a parent orientation 5 years ago at UCSD with my best friend when her daughter started there. The advice was very good. #1 Expect some struggling with grades the first year and don't freak out. #2 Expect the kids to change their minds about their major. And don't freak out.

My almost 22 year old son is attending Azusa Pacifc University and has changed his mind 3 times; fortunately in the same area of learning so his classes still count. He received some grants but the majority of his education is funded through student loans with some help from us. The advice we were given is that unfortunately student loans are almost a necessity and if you think of it as you will be in debt for the price of a new car after college, it puts into perspective that this can be done.

I am all for a woman or man getting their education before getting married or having kids. I understand your need to make sure your daughter does things differently than you did. I don't understand why a BSN vs. an ADN will make a difference in being secure in a good job so you don't have to be dependant on a spouse.

My advice for people who ask here on this BB regarding ADN vs. BSN is that if you aren't married and don't have kids, go for it.

steph

[smk1, LPN]

if the daughter truly wants med school, i would suggest the BSN but also with all of the med school prereqs at the same time. THis way nursing could be the "backup plan" that all schools advise premeds to have. It sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders. SIngle, young and no kids sounds like the perfect time to pursue school, instead of later when other responsibilities are paramount.

[manna, BSN, RN]

I can understand that - but I still don't agree with a BSN is the best choice for a pre-med. If she wants med school, BSN pre-reqs often don't meet the requirements that a pre-med needs.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

if money is the real issue then quarantee her the amount you are willing to give and let her get financial aid or scholarships for the balance. She might even do it the old fashioned way---work for her money. I personally would not discourage her ambition, but that does not mean you have to pay the bills. Compromise.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I want her to ... I also want her to..... I think.... I would actually...I have a real value..... I want her .......

Seems to be all about what you want. Sounds like your mind's already made up. Any good parent wants the best for her child. Good luck.

[RedSox33RN]

Just a thought..........would she be agreeable to getting her RN from the CC, then transferring to and getting her BSN from the 4yr school (paying for it herself?)? I know the 4yr college I attend has reciprocal agreements with all of the tech colleges in this area.

I must say though, that I love my 4yr school. Yes, it's expensive at $635/credit hour, but I like the program infinitely more than that amount, so it's worth it to me. I did many of my pre-req's at a tech school, and while good, and I learned a lot, the instructors I had did not show nearly the passion for their subjects as the instructors I have now. I'm NOT saying all are that way, and it's probably just how my school is now with whom they hire to teach. Actually, I did have one English teacher at my tech school that I loved - she pushed me and pushed me, knowing I could write, and MADE me a better writer. I'm grateful for that, and told her so.

Some of the 4yr colleges, like mine, award even the BSN students an AD so they can sit for the NCLEX after 2 years. I forget what it's called though. But those in the BSN program just continue on, and don't have to sit for the NCLEX again after graduation. Those like myself, can continue on with a BSN at our own pace.

[anc33]

Have you checked out financial aid at the 4-year institution? There's always work-study options as well and loans for the rest. I had to talk out huge loans for my nursing education and I don't regret it one bit. Talk to an advisor before you say it is out of the question.

[manna, BSN, RN]

Going to the 4-year university has actually wound up to be LESS expensive for me, even though tuition is higher. Thankfully, they're very generous with scholarship money! :)

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Have you checked out financial aid at the 4-year institution? There's always work-study options as well and loans for the rest. I had to talk out huge loans for my nursing education and I don't regret it one bit. Talk to an advisor before you say it is out of the question.

This is good advice. There are many scholarships available every year that go unused because they weren't applied for. We certainly needed to look because my son's school costs $26,000 a year

In California, you fill out the FASFA form to see if you qualify for grants too.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

If BSN is the goal, I just don't see why she should go the ADN to BSN route. It only takes another year or so to get her Bachelors.

steph

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Going to the 4-year university has actually wound up to be LESS expensive for me, even though tuition is higher. Thankfully, they're very generous with scholarship money! :)

Private Universities are the same way . ..more financial help is available.

By the way, Azusa Pacific has a fine nursing program and has the only PhD program at a Christian university west of the Mississippi. Just a little bragging - I love the school my son attends.

steph

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Gee, I thought the 235.00/hr I'm paying for my BSN was expensive. Yikes!