BSN v ADN after prereq's

manna, BSN, RN · May 11, 2004

Depends on the pre-reqs that the Uni requires. Usually, for a BSN you'll have around 64 credit hours of pre-reqs. Not sure how many for an ADN.... Look in the two college catalogs and compare the coursework - you should see the remaining classes you'd have to take to enroll in the BSN

youknowho · May 11, 2004

If you transfer to SJSU after the 2 year RN program I heard it was like a year and a half but you only go once-twice a week for upper division ge and the extra theory classes in nursing. If you go straight to SJSU their RN program is 3 years instead of 2.

aj rn 2be · May 11, 2004

Thanks Rn2be408...I was thinking it would only be about a year longer

SJSU_Mami · Nov 12, 2004

Thanks Rn2be408...I was thinking it would only be about a year longer

SJSU's bridge program is only one year. You take community health, nursing theory in research, the process classes, and clinicals. I think they have to do upper GE's too but the nursing program for RN to BSN is one year.

Aneroo, LPN · Nov 12, 2004

Not sure where the schools you are talking about are, but here in NC where I am, there is a university (BSN), and the CC I go to (ADN). I have all my pre-req's (used to go to univ). I've heard SO many people say they prefer our nursing graduates to the university's because we have so much more hands on experience (we have 190 clinical hours this semester alone...they have about the same during the full five semesters). The university offers a RN to BSN program, and a RN to MSN program, which is the one I want to pursue. Your patient will not know if you get your associates or masters (unless your jacket has it on there). They care how well you take care of them, and how compentent you are. I say stick with the ADN program, get some good experience under your belt, then go back for the BSN or MSN (and then your employer will help pay for school!)

-Andrea

PS- Please do not see this as a bash against universities. I plan on going back. Even a BSN student from the university has told me how much better the ADN students were with some clinical skills.

youknowho · Nov 12, 2004

I have trying to send you a PM but I simply can not figure it out :imbar I have a couple questions for you if you dont mind. Please PM or email me when you get a minute. Thanks

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2004

We have 190 clinical hours this semester too. We do 1 12-hour shift/week. I don't know how other BSN programs work, but I think we're getting a lot of great clinical experience. Not all programs and universities are the same. I'd just talk with an advisor at your current school about it, ask them what the differences would be and how much more time is involved. They would know all the criteria involved in each program, they're a great help. Good luck with everything!

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Nov 12, 2004

Not sure where the schools you are talking about are, but here in NC where I am, there is a university (BSN), and the CC I go to (ADN). I have all my pre-req's (used to go to univ). I've heard SO many people say they prefer our nursing graduates to the university's because we have so much more hands on experience (we have 190 clinical hours this semester alone...they have about the same during the full five semesters). The university offers a RN to BSN program, and a RN to MSN program, which is the one I want to pursue. Your patient will not know if you get your associates or masters (unless your jacket has it on there). They care how well you take care of them, and how compentent you are. I say stick with the ADN program, get some good experience under your belt, then go back for the BSN or MSN (and then your employer will help pay for school!)
-Andrea
PS- Please do not see this as a bash against universities. I plan on going back. Even a BSN student from the university has told me how much better the ADN students were with some clinical skills.

Hmmm, My BSN program has us doing a MINIMUM of 192 clinical hours each semester. This is at least 16 hrs a week, usually more, for 12 weeks. I guess it depends on what school you go to. So far, I have yet to see any other program, be it ADN or Diploma that have more clinical hours than mine. I can't stand it when people on this board say hospitals prefer ADN's because they have more hands on experience when this clearly it is not true. I'm not saying you're bashing universities, I just don't like hearing people say how much better ADN programs are than BSN when it doesn't really depend on the degree, but the actual school/program. It's the school/program that develops the great nurses and are the ones that decide how many clinical hours the student should get. My school isn't just training us to become management, they know how important it is for us to get as much hands-on training we can get. Good luck to us all! :)

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Nov 12, 2004

We have 190 clinical hours this semester too. We do 1 12-hour shift/week. I don't know how other BSN programs work, but I think we're getting a lot of great clinical experience. Not all programs and universities are the same. I'd just talk with an advisor at your current school about it, ask them what the differences would be and how much more time is involved. They would know all the criteria involved in each program, they're a great help. Good luck with everything!

Do you feel getting only one day at the clinical site is enough? I just think that so much can change from day to day...how do you finish your evaluation portion of your careplan when you only see your patient once a week?

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Nov 12, 2004

I am currently working on my prerequisites.....there are a lot to go.
I was just wondering, once I finish all the A&P, Micro, Psych, Engl, Nutrition, etc that my local CC requires to enter their RN program, I could also transfer to San Jose State. How much longer would the BSN program be after that than the ASN program? Would it be that much longer?
Thanks, Angela

Hi there,

Really the only thing you can do is go talk to an advisor and compare the two programs. Not one school in this country is the same. Not one. My school requires you take 59 prereqs (not including gen ed courses) before you can start the 1st nursing class. (Well, actually some people are allowed to take the junior level writing class, clinical nutrition, and pathophysiology during that first nursing class, but most people don't because it would be very difficult). Our clinical hours are a minumum of 192 hours per semester, that's 2 8 hour shifts (minimum) per week for 12 weeks. I'm in a BSN program.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2004

Do you feel getting only one day at the clinical site is enough? I just think that so much can change from day to day...how do you finish your evaluation portion of your careplan when you only see your patient once a week?

The first half of the semester we were doing 2-8 hour days, and then this last half we're doing the 1-12 hour. But we're in the L&D, PP, and nurseries now. So most of the patients aren't there longer than 2 days, on average. So it works out ok. The 12 hour shifts work out better with L&D since we're able to stay with our patient throughout the labor and delivery, instead of leaving before it all happens.

This is the only semester we do only 1-12 hour/week. I think it works out great though in this certain area. But as far as med/surg and the other floors, I like the 2 days/week so we can be with our patient(s) more than just 1 day.