Career Change

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Howdy :-)

32 year old male with a family here. I am currently taking pre-reqs while I decide which nursing program is right for me (ADN or BSN). I have a Bachelors of Science in a related field and solid employment in General Industry with a great company.

If accepted, I could attend the local ADN program without interruption to my work commitments.

Or, if accepted, I could attend an accelerated or second degree BSN program but it would require obtaining a leave of absence from work for the duration of my studies. I wouldn't be able to earn an income and support the family during this time. Which is a problem since I am the financial provider for the family.

The ADN path causes the least amount of waves for my current situation. But the BSN is my ultimate goal and the immediate hurdles may be worth the long term benefits.

I know there are many of y'all who have faced a similar decision as this when it comes to choosing the best program for you. To gain a better perspective and to help me make an informed decision for my own education path, my questions to the group are:

1) What influenced your decisions when selecting your nursing education path?

2) If you could do it over again, what would you have done different?

Thank y'all,

MrTexas

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Specializes in Neuro Intensive Care.

Hello! I am currently in my second semester of a ASN program (three semesters to go!)

I chose ASN because of time. My husband is active duty army, and we are constantly on the move. I will have my RN in about a year, and then I can go onto RN to BSN, which most universities offer completely online. It was also cheaper for us as well. Most RN to BSN programs can also be completed in about 12 months (or at least the ones that I have looked at). This way I can work, use that RN I worked so hard for, and continue on with my education.

I would still chose the path that I took. It may have taken me a little longer in the long run, but overall I like the baby step idea and being able to save some money along the way :)

Good luck!

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I chose to transfer and pursue my BSN due to the extremely competitive nature of local ASN programs. I applied twice at community college- the second time being when I improved my GPA, yet was still denied. It would have been great to work toward my ASN to use as a stepping stone toward my BSN, but due to both rejections, I instead began working on transfer pre-requisites and transferred to a private college last fall. I was accepted into the program in January and will be starting in August.

I would still choose the path I decided to take for a number of reasons. I have now been accepted into a program at the hospital I work at that will allow me to work part time while pursuing my BSN full time. If it weren't for my transfer and being accepted, I would have not been eligible for their program, nor would I be where I am today. What's funny is that if I would have started when I was denied the second time, I would have finished this past semester, which would have taken me another year to finish BSN pre-requisites before I could apply to a BSN program, so I really don't feel I've lost any time.

It all depends on your situation. ASN is not a bad decision! It will be a stepping stone for you to work toward bettering your current situations. It will then allow you to pursue your BSN in an RN-BSN program.

Good luck! :-)

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Specializes in Hospice.

Maybe some of the RNs can give more feedback on this, but I have read somewhere on different occasions that your ASn (we call it ADN) gives you much more clinical experience than a BSN program. I am going into the ADN in August (my third attempt, and I'm 49!) and I intend to pursue my BSN and MSN as much online as possible. Good luck!

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I would also look into who the hospitals in your area are hiring (assuming you want to work in a hospital). Do they require a BSN or do they hire ADNs? If they prefer BSNs, then that is probably the way to go.

Good luck!

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Thank you to each one of you who replied! It is going to be a tough decision to make and it sounds like both options have their benefits.

At this point I would prefer to go straight for the BSN but it would be less of a stress on the family if I take the ADN path.

I enjoyed reading the responses and it did help to put my situation into perspective when reading about your journey's.

Thank you again!

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People have given you good advice, but you have to make the ultimate decision. To me, it only makes sense to get your BSNA because you already have a BS. It may end up saving you time because a BSNA can be as short as 12 months (mine is 15). Plus it may either cost less or be roughly the same depending on what school you attend. I totally get what you are saying though. You are the provider for your family, and that's why I say you have to make this choice. None of us know your situation as well as you and your family. Keep us updated! ;)

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Although I am not the sole provider for my family, I too debated this for quite some time. I would just keep in mind, even if it is the longer route, you can still finish your BSN. Many colleges have an RN-BSN bridge programs that only take about a year to finish and from what I understand, are mostly online and by that time, you will most likely have a job as a nurse anyway. The pay difference between ADN and BSN isn't substantial enough to have to worry about, at least while you finish up your BSN. I too have the BSN as a long term goal. I just decided myself to put off applying to the program for another four months. Originally I would've applied this August but that particular campus is 35 min away from my home. Not only that, I have a two year old that I would need childcare for and I'm pretty sure that most daycares open at 6am and not 5-5:30. I had to consider this for clinicals. So I finally decided to wait and apply to the school for the campus 10 min from my house. I know it seems like a no brainer but I was really tired of waiting and feeling like I wasn't moving forward. But in the long run its not that long, especially if it works better for my family. You will figure it out! Good luck!

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Specializes in Tele.

You have a lot of great options online to gain the BSN degree after the ADN. With you needing to work, the ADN would probably be a better idea. Just be prepared for how much time nursing school takes. Most other college degrees don't even compare with the sheer amount of time you need to dedicate to studying and paperwork.

Good luck in any decision you make!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I think it is critical for you to talk with people who are EXPERTS on your local job market (and not people who are trying to "sell" you on choosing one program or the other). In some markets, the job opportunities for new grad ADN's is almost non-existant -- and yet students keep attending those programs mistakenly believing that they will get good jobs after graduation from an employer that will pay for them to go on for their BSN's. They are sorely disappointed with reality when they graduate. However, in other regions, there are still plenty of good jobs available for new ADN graduates and that plan can work in those areas.

You really need to know the hiring practices of the employers in your area (the specific ones you hope to work for) ... not only their current hiring practices, but the trends that will influence their hiring practices in the future ... before you can make an informed decision about what is right for you and your family. You should also meet with the financial aid people at the BSN program to see what type of aid might be available to you.

I don't live in Texas ... but where I live, the major hospitals rarely hire new grad ADN's. Many new grad ADN's take a good 6 months to find any job after graduation ... and the jobs they get are not the ones they hoped for when they started school. It may be very different where you live. But you need to find out those facts before you decide.

Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

llg is correct (as usual). Hospitals in large Tx cities are restricting new grads to BSN only. However, community hospitals, small cities & rural hospitals are still ADN friendly at this time.

I think the OP is very wise to put family first & opt for the ADN program. The stress of nursing school is unavoidable for the student - no need to put the entire family through it due to lack of income & lack of time together. There are many low-cost bridge programs available for that BSN.

Yee Haw! Get 'er done!

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The BSN was very tempting BUT the right move for me is the ADN program. I'll be able to attend while keeping my regular job and I wont be dependent on my ADN to produce income - even after graduation.

I want to become an RN so I can give back to the community - likely as a volunteer (red cross) and/or some part time service somewhere.

My work will pay for me to attend the ADN program because having another RN in our area will help a ton.

Maybe one day I'll be blessed enough to go full-time nursing, but likely not until I can complete at least the BSN program.

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