Commute...or Settle

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  1. Would it best to commute for BSN or stay local for ADN if that should be the case?

    • 5
      Commute
    • 4
      Stay local and do ADN then Bridge to BSN

9 members have participated

Im at the point in my Pre-reqs that I am starting to look for Nursing Schools in my area. I am looking for some sound advice from Nurses that been there done that. I will be done with ALL my Pre-reqs in two semesters for the Nursing Program (BSN) i currently have a 3.5 GPA and will be taking the Hessi in November (dilema) i have had to retake a few courses due to me not being focused in the beginning (not looking for sympathy) i sucked it up and re-took the courses to boost my GPA and my school allows for 3 retakes in Math, English, and/or Science TOTAL so im good to go but i spoke with my nursing counselor who told me id have a better shot of getting in my school's ADN program b/c of the competitive BSN program (due to my retakes). SOOOO there is a good chance i wont be accepted in my school's BSN program but will be in the ADN program. THREE of my friends from school were denied entrance in our school's BSN program (because of this) but were accepted into ANOTHER SCHOOL'S BSN program with much lower GPA's. Only problem is this school is a hr and a half away. Im a mother to a 3 and 4 yr old and wanted to know from others that had to commute (if this should be my fate) if this would be realistic for me having to commute. I guess what im wanting to know from parents that had to commute for a nursing program..how were you able to manage children, school, and personal life. Or should i just do the ADN program at my school then do the BSN track later. By the way my school is about ten good ole minutes from my house. HELPPPP..im a planner and just want to know what others had been through as far a commuting to school with children. Thanks so much for the time invested to read my thread and taking the time to reply. Lots of Love. Be Blessed.

I do not have any type of job preference besides being SOMEBODY nurse ill start WHEREVER its just i got my eye on professional nursing and getting my masters so to go into an adn program after completing all my pre reqs for the bsn just seems like ill be going backwards so im moving my topic to Nursing Students in hope that parents that had to commute can give some feedback and any advice is greatly appreciated.

BSN - for sure unless you are OK with working only in non-hospital jobs. BSN has become the 'entry level' for acute care in the US -

I would not say this this a true statement... I choose ADN because the BSN was hour away. I was able to get a job IN A HOSPITAL and I start my bridge to BSN next month.

Now, I am not saying that you should never get a BSN, many hospitals are moving in this direction, and having a BSN will make your more competitive. It is hard to know now what kind of nursing you want to do, hospital, home health etc, but do the hospitals in your area hire ADN? Might be worth it to make a couple of calls to HR departments to see.

I have given this particular advice on this website several times, as a mother and wife (?), when we go back to school, things aren't going to stay the same in our lives, something has to give. Meaning for every minute we focus on school, we are away from our kids. When we are with our kids, homework is being neglected. You did not mention how many days a week you would have to commute, but THREE HOURS a day is a lot of time! What are you willing to sacrifice for that three hours?? Not saying that it is not possible, not saying that you shouldn't do it, I am just playing devil's advocate. As student mothers we do not have the same luxuries as others. You did not mention if your friends who did the commute had kids, even if they do, everyone's situation is different so you can not compare yourself to them.

I am not devaluing the importance of getting your BSN, what I did when I was trying to decide whether to drive to the BSN program, I wrote down the 24 hours in one day, I blocked out the hours for commuting and school, then circled the time I needed for my kids and husband and looked at the time that was left in the day for sleeping and homework and the decision became clear. My commute to my ADN program was 15 minutes, so the decision for me became clear.

Getting your ADN is not "settling", think of it as a stop on the path to your final goal!

I wish you luck!

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I would not say this this a true statement... I choose ADN because the BSN was hour away. I was able to get a job IN A HOSPITAL and I start my bridge to BSN next month.

Now, I am not saying that you should never get a BSN, many hospitals are moving in this direction, and having a BSN will make your more competitive. It is hard to know now what kind of nursing you want to do, hospital, home health etc, but do the hospitals in your area hire ADN? Might be worth it to make a couple of calls to HR departments to see.

I have given this particular advice on this website several times, as a mother and wife (?), when we go back to school, things aren't going to stay the same in our lives, something has to give. Meaning for every minute we focus on school, we are away from our kids. When we are with our kids, homework is being neglected. You did not mention how many days a week you would have to commute, but THREE HOURS a day is a lot of time! What are you willing to sacrifice for that three hours?? Not saying that it is not possible, not saying that you shouldn't do it, I am just playing devil's advocate. As student mothers we do not have the same luxuries as others. You did not mention if your friends who did the commute had kids, even if they do, everyone's situation is different so you can not compare yourself to them.

I am not devaluing the importance of getting your BSN, what I did when I was trying to decide whether to drive to the BSN program, I wrote down the 24 hours in one day, I blocked out the hours for commuting and school, then circled the time I needed for my kids and husband and looked at the time that was left in the day for sleeping and homework and the decision became clear. My commute to my ADN program was 15 minutes, so the decision for me became clear.

Getting your ADN is not "settling", think of it as a stop on the path to your final goal!

I wish you luck!

This. All of the above is the exact reason i considered going the adn route! As far as what I'm willing to sacrifice: downgrade to a income based house, sacrifice time with my kids, sleepless nights, being overwhelmed and stressed to the max...it will be 4 yrs that it take me to complete my pre reqs so that i could have that time with my kids but a lack going anywhere due to limited funds..dont get me wrong i stay in a nice apartment and work my but off but I'm willing to sacrifice.. and no more living paycheck to paycheck...i came across a quote concerning single parents... "sacrifice 4 years for a lifetime of stability or give into the four years for a lifetime of poverty" i choose to sacrifice

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