Best Nursing School Route to Go?

pricklypear · May 31, 2005

Hi Lisa! There are sooo many ways to go...

Some people just go straight through and get a BSN - that's what I did because I knew I would never go back and get it once I started working.

Some people are much more motivated than me, though! It took about 1-2 semesters longer than my friends getting their ADN. But it is also much more expensive. I would definitely recommend getting your BSN at some point - I feel it just gives you a few more options in the future no matter what kind of nursing you are interested in.

Or-

You can get your ADN, start working, and hopefully your employer has a tuition reinbursement program, so you can get your BSN free! You can also complete your BSN almost entirely online in some places, after earning your ADN making it easier to keep a full time job while you're doing it. Another option if you get your ADN first, is some schools allow you to be an LPN after your first year - so you can work while you finish school.

I'm sure you'll get lots of helpful suggestions from this board - everybody here has come to the same place by many different roads.

Sorry, I don't have any info about schools w/o waiting lists!! It seems to be a universal problem these days.

Best of luck!!

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · May 31, 2005

Hello,
I need some help. I have been debating the best route to go for nursing. I have an undergrad in Communications so i do not have a lot of my prequisites down with (i do have my CNA and Biology done haha) but anyway...i am trying to pick the fastest ay to get me in and out of school but also a reasonable way. There is the Associate Degree, BSN, Second-degree BSN, etc. Could someone please help me understand the best route to take.
Also, if anyone has any word on the best schools to look at where there isn;t much of a waiting list this would help TREMENDOUSLY. I have been researching and looking online around Wisconsin and it doesn't seem to be helping.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! Please get back to me as soon as possible i am so stressed!
Always,
Lisa:)

Hi Lisa! Like you, I also already went to college previously before starting nursing school. I had both a BS and MS in biology before I decided I wanted to be a nurse. I knew someone like me who also held an MS in the sciences who went to a second-degree BSN program at a university (in MA) but she was telling me how rigorous the program was...and the pace was super crazy fast and she couldn't really work during the program cuz there was no time for that. So I decided based on that, I felt I didn't want to rush through my nursing education and decided to apply to traditional generic BSN programs. The school I went to let me start as a sophomore cuz I had all the pre-reqs done (at my school, the nursing classes began sophomore year, so I had to start there). I felt fine in my program and got a 3.97 and just graduated last week with my BSN and am now studying to take my boards next month. I think it makes more sense to just get your BSN cuz it gives you more options in the long run in case you want to be a nurse-manager, nurse-practitioner, nurse-educator, nurse-anesthetist, go to grad school, etc. Good luck! :)

MIA-RN1, RN · Jun 1, 2005

Hello,
I need some help. I have been debating the best route to go for nursing. I have an undergrad in Communications so i do not have a lot of my prequisites down with (i do have my CNA and Biology done haha) but anyway...i am trying to pick the fastest ay to get me in and out of school but also a reasonable way. There is the Associate Degree, BSN, Second-degree BSN, etc. Could someone please help me understand the best route to take.
Also, if anyone has any word on the best schools to look at where there isn;t much of a waiting list this would help TREMENDOUSLY. I have been researching and looking online around Wisconsin and it doesn't seem to be helping.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! Please get back to me as soon as possible i am so stressed!
Always,
Lisa:)

I am getting my Associate's degree and then I found a local program that does RN-to-BSN in 15 months, evenings only. A requirement of that program is to work at least 20 hours/week during the duration of the class and that shouldnt' be too hard since class only meets twice a week. Spendy way to do it for sure but its what I gotta do. My son graduates high school a month after I graduate nursing school next year and I have to get him thru college and then do the evening BSN class when he gets on his own feet. I just couldn't do the whole 4-year degree now because of time restraints and money; community college is DEFINTELY cheaper.

As far as waiting lists...they are everywhere as far as I know.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 1, 2005

There are many programs out there for you to go for your MSN with an RN and a Bachelor's degree in another subject. That is if you wish to further your education afterwards.

I would try to find where I could get in the quickest and complete the program the quickest at this point.

Most facilities will pay for you to continue your education once you have that RN behind your name. Whether you go the Diploma route, the ADN route, or the BSN route, you still sit for the same NCLEX exam in the end.

Good luck with whatever route that you choose. You will find that the private schools usually have no or minimal waiting lists, but a much higher tuition cost. :)