Can't get into a BSN program if you don't have your ADN?

IndyElmer · May 24, 2012

I know that the "traditional" program at both schools I was considering offered a BSN as your first nursing degree. I also know that a former classmate is in a traditional/1st-degree BSN program at a third school. (I'm in the accelerated 2nd degree program at my school so I don't know all the details.) I'd check with your local schools that offer BSN and find out (1) can you just earn your BSN first from them and (2) what classes are transferable and which they require to be from their school. It would be a shame to take your pre-reqs at the community college then find out that that the BSN school won't take any of those credits.

(I *think* that my school has an agreement with the community college that lets you do most of your pre-reqs at the community college then apply to the nursing school to do the nursing part to earn a BSN.)

LindaBright, MSN · May 24, 2012

As far as I have ever heard or seen, an ADN is not a prerequisite for entry into a BSN program. I can see some rationale there, but, all of the students I have known recently are either in nursing school for an ADN (with hopes to continue onto a BSN at a later date) or straight into a BSN, MSN or DNP program. I'd definitely call and talk to the nursing education departments in your local nursing schools to find out directly what the requirements are.

caliotter3 · May 24, 2012

I have never heard of a BSN program that had ASN as a prerequisite. The way to find out the truth is to look into any program that you are considering.

llg, PhD, RN · May 24, 2012

You are talking to the wrong advisor. You need to talk to the advisors of the BSN programs that interest you and find out what their requirements are. Then decide which route is best for you.

Yes, many programs are RN-BSN programs. They only accept people who are already RN's.

But many other programs are "generic BSN programs." These programs are designed as entry-level programs and accept students who are not already RN's. Some of those programs accept students right out of high school with no college credit whatsoever. Others, require that you complete a few semesters of pre-requisite, general education courses at the college level before they will admit you to their nursing program.

What types of programs are available in your area? Your best source of information about that question is to ask the programs themselves. As you do that, find out if the college credits you have already earned in your current school will be accepted for that BSN program. Each school should be able to evaluate your current credentials and then tell you what you would need to do to be accepted into (and then graduate from) their program.

It's possible that your Community College advisor is really trying to help you avoid having to re-take some classes at the BSN program and be most efficient with your time and money by telling you to finish where you are first and then go to a RN-BSN program. That might well be your best option. However, it's also possible that she is just trying to keep you from dropping out of your current program by making your other options sound impossible/unattractive. That's why you need to do your own homework and talk to the BSN programs themselves and find out what options are available to you.

sharpeimom · May 24, 2012

at the university where my husband teaches, they offer both programs and the asn isn't a prereq for the bsn.

i think one of the biggest reasons both programs are offered is to appeal to a broader student base. an 18 year old right out of high school may well want a straight path to a bsn degree, especially if she has some parental help. she probably will want to have as many avenues open to her after graduation as possible.

adn programs quite frequently appeal to single moms, people who didn't have the chance to go to college when they were younger, and to those who have worked as cnas and lpns for awhile and all just need the quickest route possible.

once they can be licensed as rns, they can persue a bsn later on at a more leisurely pace and often have their employers pay for some or all of it.

Stephalump · May 24, 2012

I talked to my counselor about nursing school. I was so prepared to tell her that I want to go straight to BSN after my prereqs, but she said that most BSN programs don't even take students that don't already have their ADN's anymore. I am so confused. Have you guy's heard of this? She advised me to just stay at the CC that I'm at now and get my ADN there, then get my BSN after that. DO you think that's the best thing to do? Or was that just her promoting the school and getting more applicants? I have all A's so far, so I don't think it's because she thinks I can't handle doing the BSN...

She has no clue what she's talking about. You'll find that's way more common in student counseling than it should be.

If you're young and free, I'd say go straight to the BSN if you can get in. Odds are you'll get a BSN eventually, anyway.

Bobmo88 · May 25, 2012

There are BSN programs (regular and accelerated) for people who do not have their ADNs. If not, they usually are called RN-BSN programs. I'm not sure why your counselor would say that unless for example a nearby university only offers RN-BSN.

OnMyWay23 · May 25, 2012

I do not have my ADN and I am starting clinicals in a BSN program in the fall. You want to look for a prelicensure BSN program. They are out there, just look around :)

UVA Grad Nursing · May 25, 2012

The school search tool of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing is robust, and a great start to look at BSN and graduate programs.

Follow this link, and search for Entry Level BSN prorgams. There are hundreds of these types of programs out there.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Nursing Program Search