Community college or university?

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Hello. I'm currently working on my prerequsites and plan to apply to nursing program in fall 2014. Now, my ultimate goal is to get my BSN. I have to decide whether to stay at my CC and complete their A.S program or apply to an university and go straight for my BSN. The pros of staying at my CC is price, and less prerequisites to complete. On the downside, some classss may not transfer so I may end up wasting time and money on useless classes anyway. Any tips? Advice? Thanks.

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Personally I am taking pre reqs at a community college & transferring into a four year schools BSN program. My reasons are i have time for the bachelors (I am 20 and don't need to start working yet), financial support from my parents, and I have enough credits anyways that it would take me the same amount of time to complete an ADN or BSN. Everyone has their own reasons, so compare your own pros and cons and see what works best for you and your life plans/(goals. Good luck.

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I don't know what the options are in your area, but I'm in a diploma program that is affiliated with a university so I will get my RN in less then 2 years and then it's only 26 more credits (all online) at that university for BSN. So I will spend less money and less time than doing a university 4 yr BSN. And community college is just as good, especially if you like the program and a hell of a lot cheaper. I think having a BSN is a definite plus but I need to complete school quickly and get a job as an RN for my life situation (kids, etc). So I'll have a good job and then complete my BSN within a year of graduating. Do what works for you. Find out all you can about the programs you want to apply to! I researched for a awhile before applying! Good luck!

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I am also planning to start a nursing program fall 2014! :)

I am starting at community college (assuming I get accepted) and plan to do a bridge program to get my BSN after. I am doing it this way for less debt...I am married and we want a family in a few years so I'd like as little debt as possible!

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I am pursuing a 2nd bachelors in nursing so I've decided to go the CC route. It's a lot cheaper and quicker. Some hospitals will pay for your BSN if you sign a contract with them which is something to consider. This is what I'm hoping to do to get my BSN.

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For myself, I've been facing a similar dilemma recently. I had plans to immediately transfer out of my CC to a BSN program. It's still my plan, however recently it's coming to light that my CC has a better NCLEX pass rate. The RN program at my current CC boasts a 97-100% pass rate nearly every semester. The BSN program I want to transfer to, a 90-94% NCLEX pass rate. While both are great programs, saving money and going to my CC and then pursuing my RN-->BSN after isn't out of the question for me now. I'm getting all of my BSN pre reqs anyways, so I'll end up applying to both.

I think if it's a good program and you have the time to, just go straight for the BSN, it seems that's the future as far as nursing degrees.

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Thanks for the responses. I feel like the best thing to do right now is to become well informed, and then decide what step to take.

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Specializes in ED.

I'm like EZSunday. This is my second degree, so I went the ADN route. Much cheaper, same pay, and I can get my BSN on my hospital's dime.

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I feel like it depends on the situation and the area you live in. I already have a bachelor's degree and I am in a similar situation choosing between the community college and the university. I've decided to go BSN right away (if I get accepted) because I've found that it will take me less time in an Accelerated BSN program (1 and 1/2 years) than for the ADN program (2 years). I'd rather just get the BSN out of the way now than to get ADN and then also go for BSN because that's way too much more time in school. If you already know you want to go BSN, then why go the long way (ADN, then RN to BSN bridge)? However, I can see the draw to go for ADN if you are fresh in school. You could pay less, get a job as an RN, work while getting the BSN, and most hospitals will pay for the bridge.

I volunteered in a hospital for a little while as nursing support. Talking with the nurses there, they recommended going straight for the BSN because it's going to start getting harder to get jobs with ADN over BSN. I also have a family member with ADN who says she had a lot less choice on the type of nursing she could do right out of school with an ADN instead of a BSN.

It's a tough question. It seems to avoid student debt (which trust me IS a huge burden) the community college really is the best choice... but from every other perspective I'd have to say go straight to BSN.

Just my 2 cents. :)

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Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.

If some classes will not transfer I would definitely go straight BSN, but if money is a huge issue, either way you will achieve your goals. I think it depends on the person, financial situation, and job market in the area. Some places are not so (associates degree) friendly anymore.

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I know that where I am, if you get your associates in nursing, the work at a hospital and you actually strive there, the hospital will invest for you to get you BSN. My aunt told me that's how she got her BSN. It could be dependent on hospitals or even states.

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Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.

Yea most hospitals around my area provide tuition assistance to all employees.

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