Confused... Need some advice

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I am currently enrolled in a CNA program and plan to continue my education while working part time as a CNA. There are several colleges in my area that I could attend, the "better" schools only offer a 4 year BSN, the junior colleges offer the 2 year ADN or 1 year LPN. My intention is to get my bachelor's degree in nursing, but I'm really stuck on not wanting to be a CNA for 4+ years. So my question is, should I go to a junior college for my LPN or RN in a 1 or 2 year program, then continue going for my bachelor's or should I just suck it up and go the 4+ year route all at once?

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From what I've been reading, it will be difficult to go to school full time and work, but it can be done. I guess it just depends on what your priorities are and what your situation is at home, (ie family). Will your finances be stretched if you went to school the whole 4? If so, maybe the ADN and get your BSN at a later date? :)

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From what I've been reading, it will be difficult to go to school full time and work, but it can be done. I guess it just depends on what your priorities are and what your situation is at home, (ie family). Will your finances be stretched if you went to school the whole 4? If so, maybe the ADN and get your BSN at a later date? :)

I do have 3 kids which will make it difficult to work, go to school and parent effectively. It's not that my finances would be stretched terribly, but we need health insurance. Plus I've been a stay at home mom for 13 years so I guess I'm ready to dive right in;)

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Im graduating w/ my ADN in a few months. Then my new employer will pay for my further education so I'm getting my bachelor's that way.

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Im graduating w/ my ADN in a few months. Then my new employer will pay for my further education so I'm getting my bachelor's that way.

That's a great idea and one that I've considered as well, but I guess one of my questions is - once you're an rn, does it matter if you have your associates or bachelors and does it matter where you went to school? The schools in my area (extentions of Purdue and IU) used to offer the 2 year program, but have changed to only BSN because they say the hospitals only want to hire RNs with a bachelors degree. From what I've heard from the RNs that I know (some with a BSN, some without) that's a load of crap. I'm sure I'm probably making this harder than it has to be, I just want to make the right decision for me.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.
That's a great idea and one that I've considered as well, but I guess one of my questions is - once you're an rn, does it matter if you have your associates or bachelors and does it matter where you went to school?

it's all the same NCLEX-RN

don't do the LPN, i think youre ready for the long haul, i wouln't go for the BSN right away either...

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That's a great idea and one that I've considered as well, but I guess one of my questions is - once you're an rn, does it matter if you have your associates or bachelors and does it matter where you went to school? The schools in my area (extentions of Purdue and IU) used to offer the 2 year program, but have changed to only BSN because they say the hospitals only want to hire RNs with a bachelors degree. From what I've heard from the RNs that I know (some with a BSN, some without) that's a load of crap. I'm sure I'm probably making this harder than it has to be, I just want to make the right decision for me.

Im in NYS and there has been controversy forever here about certain groups wanting nurses to ALL be BSN prepared. But I don't see it happening and anyone who is already a nurse is automatically grandfathered in if it passes--meaning if you are already an ADN nurse and they make the BSN rule happen, you don't have to be a BSN.

I honestly don't see the difference between the two degrees in terms of bedside care. BS degrees have more classes, and I *think* more theory although I don't know for sure. I want my BSN because its a stepping stone to where I think I am headed (teaching) and for that I'll need my masters.

Here at least, all the new RN's start at the same rate regardless of degree. I think potential employers look where you went to school in terms of which schools they personally think/feel turn out 'better' nurses. I know the community college I attend has a great reputation in the local hospitals, and lots of grads get hired quickly. We have at least two other schools that offer the BS degree, neither one has a wait list like the community college, so that says something about the program I'm in too.

I guess it boils down to you doing what works for you. If you have a choice, I would not do the LPN because you will be wasting your time if you plan to move into an RN degree anyway. And you can do it part-time; most people I know in school are part time simply because the core courses are rough and its best to just focus on them. Raising the kids isn't easy-I have two-- but its do-able.

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Thank you very much :)

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