Are you getting a ADN or going straight to BSN ?

AccelCNL, MSN, RN · Jul 9, 2009

I plan on going straight for the BSN. I have several reasons for this.

1) I live in the NYC/Westchester area and there are a number of nursing programs here and although getting an ADN is definitely the cheaper route it is not for me. I don't want to get my RN and then goback to school in order to complete BSN.

2) I already know where I want to specialize. I plan on becoming an Neonatal NP or a Pediatric NP who specialized in oncology and I don't want to add to my time in school. In order tobecome an NNP most programs require you have two yrs. experience working in a Level III NICU and in the other program if you want to become a PNP who works with acute/chronic cases a year experience minimum in required sometimes. I just want to focus on that.

3) A few hospitals in NYC and the surrounding areas won't even hire a new grad nurse unless he/she had a degree from an accredited BSN program.

4) I plan on becoming more tha just a staff nurse and I hope to not only become a NP but maybe a manager one day and BSN-nurses are usually promoted firstor they need less experience than a ADN-nurse for the same position.

mariposabella · Jul 9, 2009

Im doing an ADN then going for a BSN. I was going to go straight for a BSN, but of course your not guaranteed admission into the program after you finish prereqs. Where I live there arent too many good options for BSN programs. Im thinking of going out of state for my BSN the same school I get my BSN from I want to get my MSN from. I would also love to move out of SC its horrible here!

redbeans · Jul 9, 2009

ADN because I think that it would be "easier" for me to learn on a 2 year program than a faster paced BSN prgram for one year. Either way I will be finished in the same amount of time, if not shorter this way because I would need more pre-reqs. I would like to eventually get my MSN

markuskristian · Jul 9, 2009

BSN. I'm one of the 'stepping stone' people that is simply using nursing to get to anesthesia. I know.. bad, but I just love pharmacology and physiology.

PedsHopeful · Jul 9, 2009

ADN here. I earned my previous Bachelor's degree back in '97. It did fulfill quite a bit of the pre-req requirements for the ADN program at my school. Here's my reasons why I chose the ADN over the BSN/Accelerated BSN:
1: I'll be out in the workplace much sooner--earning $. In my area at least, pay does not differ between ADN and BSN graduate nurses.
2: Most hospitals will help you pay/pay completely for the ADN to BSN bridge (at least in my area). Why not let someone else pay/help pay for part of my education? Sounds good to me.
3: Financially, it made more sense to me. I do not qualify for any financial aid, so I'm cash pay. $9K for the ADN is a bargain.
4: The school which I have chosen has the best NCLEX pass rates and retention rates out of any school in my area, even including the BSN programs. I also like that the ADN programs are usually a bit smaller than BSN programs so more one-on-one.
5. I'm a Mommy first, student/nurse second. It's important that I am around as much as possible for my little ones while they are still little (2 and a 4 year old).
Long term, I want to become a Nurse Anesthetist. I will have to see if they will accept my Bachelor's as is (some schools don't require a BSN per se, but an applicable Bachelor of Science--which I have--may suffice). I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I also want to wait until my kiddos are a bit older, since that is one tough degree to earn. One day at a time....

:yeah: Excellent post B2B. It's amazing how much your plans and mine are pretty much exactly alike. Ive been out of school since 1998. I have a 10 yr old, 5 yr old, and a 1 1/2 yr old. If I go for my ADN now I can basically get my degree for free (grants cover all tuition and fees including books) and start working ASAP. Like you said, most hospitals pay for you to get your BSN, so I'd rather have them pay for it rather than lake out loans for it. I start taking my Pre-req's this Sept. I have to get certified in my state as a CNA before they allow you to begin your Nursing classes so that will be done by this Dec. A & P 1 and Economics next semester. I work 40hrs and also want to make sure I have time for my little ones, so I'm attending part time and also in the summer.

I would also like to become a Nurse Anesthetist after I've spent some years in the nursing field and my kids are a bit older. But I'm very excited to finally be getting started @ the age of 31. Better late than never, LOL. I plan to be woring as a CNA next year January. :yeah:

nohika · Jul 9, 2009

I'm working on my prerequisites for an ADN reason for several reasons:

1) It takes less time and I can live at home.

2) I can live at home with my family (I'm 18 so at home with my mother and sibs) and therefore don't have to pay any housing costs.

3) I get financial aid that is enough to cover my tuition costs AND the books. So it's not bad price-wise at all.

4) My school offers not only an RN degree, (ADN), but if you complete four additional classes with a 3.0 or more you're guaranteed a spot in WSUV's RN-BSN bridge program. I'm working on completing those right now (ahead of taking A&P and the "hard" classes) and will be done in the fall.

So there's definitely reasons - also, we have to get certified as CNAs before applying, and I think that's because we do clinicals right off the bat. So.

Best of luck to everyone!

back2thebooks · Jul 10, 2009

Excellent post B2B. It's amazing how much your plans and mine are pretty much exactly alike.

Wow, that is funny! It's very motivating for me to see stories similar to mine--we should definitely keep in touch throughout our journeys! :)

ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2009

Hi, my adn then eventually my rn/msn. I want to be a apn and my long term goal is to become a crna.

Unique87 · Jul 10, 2009

I'm doing ADN then RN-BSN or RN-MSN. I decided to do ADN b/c my school (ADN) is very inexpensive compared to the BSN program I was looking at. I'm also not in a rush to get my BSN I just want to start working quickly. I already completed the pre reqs for the college I want to get my BSN from. I also decided to let my future employer pay for my BSN instead of me having to go in debt my self for it.

djhnsn56 · Sep 19, 2009

ADN here. I earned my previous Bachelor's degree back in '97. It did fulfill quite a bit of the pre-req requirements for the ADN program at my school. Here's my reasons why I chose the ADN over the BSN/Accelerated BSN:
1: I'll be out in the workplace much sooner--earning $. In my area at least, pay does not differ between ADN and BSN graduate nurses.
2: Most hospitals will help you pay/pay completely for the ADN to BSN bridge (at least in my area). Why not let someone else pay/help pay for part of my education? Sounds good to me.
3: Financially, it made more sense to me. I do not qualify for any financial aid, so I'm cash pay. $9K for the ADN is a bargain.
4: The school which I have chosen has the best NCLEX pass rates and retention rates out of any school in my area, even including the BSN programs. I also like that the ADN programs are usually a bit smaller than BSN programs so more one-on-one.
5. I'm a Mommy first, student/nurse second. It's important that I am around as much as possible for my little ones while they are still little (2 and a 4 year old).
Long term, I want to become a Nurse Anesthetist. I will have to see if they will accept my Bachelor's as is (some schools don't require a BSN per se, but an applicable Bachelor of Science--which I have--may suffice). I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I also want to wait until my kiddos are a bit older, since that is one tough degree to earn. One day at a time....

I totally agree!! I am applying for a 2 year program next year. The school that I am applying for also has a great pass rate (99%) compared to most 4 year colleges in Mississippi. I also agree that it is cheaper than a 4 year college and I will be making money alot sooner than a BSN (like you said---not really a salary difference). Also it only takes 12 months to complete a RN-BSN program so I will have more work experience in ICU than a BSN for the nurse anesthetist program!

Scooby-Dooby-Doo · Sep 19, 2009

straight BSN for me. I want to be a CRNA, and I don't want to wait anymore.

If not a CRNA, then I'm turing to medical school...

Hopefully I begin my BSN studies this winter.

Islandgurlie · Sep 19, 2009

In the beginning I was gona go for BSN but now Im going for ADN because it is less time and I was told that the pay difference is only approx. $1500 where I am. Most hospitals offer tuition reimbursement so I figure when Im done ADN and get a job I will have help paying for the BSN.

Cant wait I want to be a nurse so badly.