best decision based on circumstances...

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Thanks in advance for assistance~!

I have a situation:

I currently hold a Bachelors' in Business (Ops. Mgmt.) and almost complete with the science (pre-nursing) prerequisites at a community college. I am about to receive (1) C... I have (A's) in other courses.

The "C" will not make/break my application if I apply for the nursing program at the city college I am currently attending because selection is by random. However, I am contemplating on transferring and obtaining a BSN or MSN as opposed to an ADN.

To complicate issues, my Bachelors GPA totally sucks (2.0 status). Time is of no issue... I can live comfortably off my Business degree/experience, in the meantime. But I ultimately want a BSN/MSN... to become a nurse.

Should I retake the course I will receive a "C" in and transfer directly into a BSN/MSN accredited program? Or should I acquire an ADN then apply to a BSN/MSN program?

In my opinion, I feel an ADN with clinical/laboratory (work) experience, with an awesome GPA in the nursing curriculum will appear far appealing than an application with good grades when applying for a BSN/MSN program... in respect to myself.

Thanks again~!

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I tend to think the shortest route better - get the ADN. However, what you really need to consider is what changes in your life are going to take place for you to study appropriately for nursing school. It is not easy.

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Specializes in Psych, I/DD.

You should first check if your area hospitals are hiring ADN's as a lot in the big cities do not. If not then go straight for your BSN. I'm sure there is some accelerated program that offers bachelors to BSN...

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Specializes in OR, Informatics.

It sounds like the ADN may be your best bet. As I understand it, accelerated BSN programs and direct-entry MSN programs are highly competitive. I just don't think that a 2.0 GPA would cut it for admission. That being said, call around to the schools offering your BSN and MSN programs and see if your grades are sufficient for admission. Good luck.

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For me, I took the ADN route. I am starting my final term today! I will graduate in Aug.

I plan on going further, but I will be honest.....after working FT and going to school FT, I am EXHAUSTED! I think I am going to take a short break before I go for my MSN. (BTW, my bachelors is in electrical engineering.)

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Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.

If there are any post-Bac programs out there that you are interested in, I think it would at least benefit you to apply to them. The worst thing they can do is say no! Do the best you can with the application -- e.g. try to play up your recent prerequisite GPA (which is more applicable to nursing school), try to play up your real-life work experience, etc. Sometimes it is helpful to get some experience either shadowing a nurse on a shift or volunteering in a hospital, whatever, just so they can see that you are really committed. There are a ton of ways to beef up your applications. Use everything you can think of to show them why you want to be a nurse.

I am in your shoes. I have a bachelors degree in psychology, and then went through an ADN program. (When I graduated 10 years ago, there were no post-Bac programs -- well, I think there were 4 in the whole country. They have now exploded and are all over the place.) I am now completing my BSN as a venue to get to the MSN. There are ALMOST ZERO direct-entry MSN programs out there that allow you to apply without a BSN, so even though I have a bachelor's degree in another subject, it isn't good enough for most colleges of nursing. (That said, there are a few -- very few -- MSN programs out there that let you apply with an unrelated Bachelor's, but a lot of them want it to be health related (health sciences, etc.) or they make you jump through hoops and take a bunch of BSN classes as "prerequisites" to even apply. There are also some ADN to MSN programs out there, but your options as far as focus are more limited.) So, if you are even THINKING you might want an MSN, I would shoot for the higher degree. It is going to take you just as long to get through an ADN program as it is a post-Bac (the post-Bac might cost more though.) Trying for a higher degree now opens up more doors in your nursing future. I have pretty much discovered that I am stuck at the staff nurse level with an ADN. Even the middle management where I am employed (nurse managers of patient care units) are now required to have an MSN, and a lot of nursing employment opportunities are going to the Doctoral level. So, shoot for the stars, I say. And, best of luck!

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depending upon what happens in the next month... i am leaning towards the ADN route then transitioning to a BSN/MSN as opposed to directly applying to a BSN/MSN program after i complete my prerequisites. i should have taken school seriously the first time around. LoL~!

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I agree with Wisconsin Student regarding your GPA. Most of the BSN programs particularly the accelerated ones won't even consider applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA, which I think is kinda sad :(. However though I prefer the BSN route better for us that already hold a bachelor's the ADN is not that because the transition to the BSN is pretty easy & depending on your time & schedule can take as little a 1 year.

Wish you all the best!

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Specializes in LTC.

My advice is to apply to all and see what happens. If the ASN program admits at random then there is chance you wont get it. If you don't get in retake some classes and create a stronger application for next year.

I've been searching for RN-BSN programs and I was suprised to find RN-MSN programs. Something like that maybe an option if you do complete and ASN.

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