Can i still get a job with an ADN??

emmy27 · Aug 31, 2015

Oh, and I know that people call them "two year" and "four year" degrees, but that's very misleading- while actually ADN-program studies typically take 5 semesters, they also typically require several semesters of prerequisites. So in terms of time saved, for a brand-new high school graduate with no college credit, the ADN is unlikely to represent a significant time savings over the BSN. For a lot of ADN students, it's more like a 3.5 year degree.

Edit to add: also, I don't know about WA, but in FL, it's relatively easy to complete your prerequisites at a CC before transferring to a state university for a BA/BS. Obviously with a restricted program like nursing, you'd have to have the grades to make the cut, but that's the case with students within universities, as well. So starting your prereqs at a CC and then transferring to get your BSN might also be a money-saving option.

Sparky231 · Aug 31, 2015

Thank you for all the wonderful advice everyone, i really appreciate all of you taking the time to give me real, honest responses. :) A very important bit i realized i left out was that fact that i am more than willing to work in long term care, psych, anything really; As long as i'm helping people and trying to make a difference, that's all that matters to me. In all honesty, my goal is to become a hospice nurse. My great grandfathers hospice nurse is who gave me the realization of what i truly wanted to do. and as for tuition reimbursement, even if i couldn't get that it looks like it should still cost less than a bsn (but then again, what do i know?).

And as for my BSN, if i'm able to get financial aid it might become a possibility.

The only issue that would still stand after financial aid is time, and a few complications of attending a university. If i were to get my bsn, i couldn't live on campus because of my dog, so i would have to continue living at home, which is about a 45 min drive, and depending on the time of day, that drive can turn into 1+ hours. And to be quite honest, i really don't want to be living at home for an extra year. As much as i love my mother and siblings, due to some circumstances with our neighbors, who are also family, it will be a lot better for me when i move out.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2015

You ever thought about quitting high school and you get your GED. Then you can enroll and start working on getting your ADN

I've seen some suspect advice given in here, but this pretty much takes the cake.

Frankly, your advice is about as useful as **** on a bull.

OP, please scroll past the "quit high school" reply. You have much better options.

DowntheRiver · Aug 31, 2015

"Despite the nearly five decades--long push for more BSN graduates, in 2011 only 40% of those taking the NCLEX-RN for the first time were graduates of BSN programs (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2012 )." (McEwen et al, 2013)

McEwen, M., Pullis, B., White, M.J., & Krawtz, S. (2013). Eighty percent by 2020: The present and future of RN-to-BSN education. Journal of Nursing Education, 52(10), 549-557. doi:Login-Library Resources

I graduated with my ADN and had no problem finding a job. Did I land my dream job? Nope, but that's the reality for most new grads even with a BSN. I literally just started my RN to BSN program this month and am very happy with the route that I went. Whilst I do think it is important to have a BSN, there is no true right or wrong answer to that question. You have to do the best with what you have available, and for many that's going the ASN route. This debate has been going on for 50+ years. It really depends on what part of the country you live in and what types of programs are churning out nurses in your area. I live in FL, and ASNs are definitely being hired here in my neck of the woods. However, with that being said, by the time you graduate the economic forecast can be dramatically different which has an impact on who is being hired. Just ask all those nurses who went back to school during this past recession. :sorry:

Parakeet · Aug 31, 2015

Just as an encouragement, I was one of those people who got my GED. I took it at mid tenth grade during high school. I ended up going to a four year college and then transferring to another college and nursing program closer to home.

I think it depends on your state. GA's GED is very comprehensive. I had a thorough education that put me ahead of my grade level, but it also fills in the gaps if a person does not have a good schooling background. GA also requires people to take a certain number of hours of GED coursework before taking the test.

It is entirely possible. After I took the GED, I then took the SAT that same semester and got into the college I so desired. One of my brothers also took the GED route, but he accelerated his high school so that he would finish at 17. He is now in the college of his choice as well. Lastly, I also met a girl of 16 who was in a BSN program, who had accelerated her training as well.

In summary, you don't have to cancel this route. It all depends on the quality of your coursework now, and what you have a mind to do. I hope it all works out well for you!

Parakeet · Aug 31, 2015

By the way, from the tone of other posters, maybe my experience would not be appreciated. I do not intend this as a blueprint for others, but simply what I experienced and an encouragement.

Blessings,

Parakeet

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Sep 1, 2015

Wow. Bad advice post of the month right there....

You ever thought about quitting high school and you get your GED. Then you can enroll and start working on getting your ADN

NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN · Sep 1, 2015

It depends on the job market in your area. Hospitals going Magnet are requiring higher degrees of education for their nurses. By 2020 the goal is to have 80% of RNs at a BSN or higher level of education. Right now where I am, some will hire an ADN nurse with the SIGNED agreement to complete their BSN within a certain time frame (number of years). Yes, many will offer tuition reimbursement of a certain amount each year after you have been with the company for a specified time frame. Acute care is not an easy field to get into if you are a new nurse and the job market is saturated with nurses searching for employment, so depending on where you live, you may need to relocate for this possibility.

Are you really in a dire situation to get out of your parent's home? The reason I ask is its easier to finish school when you don't take a break from it (been there and paying for it now). You mentioned staying there until you at least have your RN so I'm hoping it's not a toxic environment. Many teenagers think that they need to move out and on their own ASAP but don't realize the expenses involved in living on their own. If you get along with your parents and they are willing to let you stay with them to complete your BSN I would suggest doing so. Paying rent at home is a lot cheaper than living on your own and then when you move out you are finished with school and more employable. Good job thinking about your future when you are still a junior in high school though. I only wish I saw more people with that kind of ambition.

Angelicpurl · Sep 1, 2015

Not sure if this is an option for you, but check Berea College in Berea, KY. It has NO tuition & is a BSN program. They have some strict admission requirements and about 1/3 nursing students end up finishing (drop out rate is pretty high but it is high-quality). It's cheap, and their graduates are looked fondly upon around my area; to the point that they usually interview when they mention where they graduated from!