BSN or RN???

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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I am going to be a senior in high school this coming September. I know that I want to go to a four year college and get a BSN, but do I need to be an RN first? If so, how do i become an RN. Could I get my BSN and when that is completed take the test to become an RN? Everybody I talk to became an LPN then RN then got a BSN...helpp I'm confused!!! Also, does anyone know of good colleges with nursing programs in New Jersey or New York?

Thanks!!

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Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.

You have the option of obtaining your Associate Degree in nursing (approx. 2 years) or Bachelor degree in nursing(approx. 4 years). Either way will require you to take the NCLEX exam for your license. Your school should have counselors available to help you select the best program and school for you. Not everyone chose to complete the LPN program first. I chose the LPN-RN route due to my financial situation. I was single, living on my own, and needed to complete my LPN first so that I can start making a decent paycheck to keep myself from being homeless. If you're able to live with your parents while finishing school, maybe going for your BSN will be the best choice.

Again, talk to the career counselors at your school, they will be a great resource for the various schools and nursing programs in your area.

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I am not sure what your financial situation is, but most 4 year programs are at Universities, which can be VERY expensive. I did a two year program at a community college which allowed me to start working very quickly. After that, I started the RN-BSN program and the hospital is paying 75% of my tuition. Most hospitals have some form of tuition reimbursement, and if you work at a University Hospital assosicated with a school there is often a discount!

Also, you CAN enter a two year RN program straight out of high school, but be warned that it is EXTREMEMLY intense. Know how to study and how you learn best. In the class I graduated with, no one person that came straight out of high school passed. There isn't a ton of time for partying and things like that, so sometimes the BSN program is beneficial when you come out of high school because the first two years are typically general ed classes and the last two are focused on nursing, this allows you to get used to the college life and get a little partying out of th way!

It's a personal (but important decision). Either way, it is tough, but worth it!

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You can get your BSN and you will become an RN that way. Or you can get your ADN to be an RN (if finances are a concern) and do an RN-BSN bridge.

Or you can become an LPN and do an LPN-RN or LPN-BSN bridge.

There are many ways to a BSN, and they are all RN's.

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