Does where/how you got your BSN matter?

[missannabelle]

I'm a pre-nursing student, looking and planning ahead to future advanced degree study, and trying to set myself up for success as best as possible. Nursing is a career change for me, and I already have a Bachelor's degree in another field (general humanities).

My options for nursing school run the gamut from starting at the ADN level and then doing an RN-BSN bridge program prior to applying to a masters' program, to going straight into a BSN or ABSN program. I could also do an ELMSN, but I think I'd like to have some actual hands-on time in the field before deciding on which speciality I'd like to go for, so the ELMSN programs are not as appealing to me.

My concern is... I know many of the MSN programs are very competitive. Our local BSN and ABSN programs are at an excellent 4-year university, and I feel like I would be well-prepared for a MSN program if I were to attend either of those programs and do well. I am sure I would also be well prepared by going the ADN and RN-BSN bridge route. The schools I'm considering for ADN have great reputations in the area as well, but I'm concerned about the RN-BSN part impacting my competitiveness for MSN programs. The RN-BSN program is located at the same school that offers the direct BSN and ABSN programs, but it is at a satellite campus. So, rather than "Big State University" and "conferred at Main Campus City, if I were to get the BSN through the RN-BSN bridge program, my degree would say "Big State University" and "conferred at Satellite Campus City". Those of you who have recently applied to MSN programs, how much emphasis was put on where you received your BSN? If you did an RN-BSN bridge, was that viewed negatively as compared with someone who did a direct BSN program?

And on the other hand, the BSN program might be more challenging than the ADN program. I am reasonably sure, thanks to the workload, that the ABSN would be very challenging. Would it be smarter, if my ultimate goal is a MSN or even a DNP, to go the ADN route first and ensure I get straight As the whole way through? I don't know that I wouldn't be able to get them in the BSN or ABSN (I have them in all of my prerequisite courses) but would it be smarter to sort of hedge my bets in that regard?

Any insight and/or advice would be welcome!

[Moogie]

You have many good questions. I hope I can help!

First of all, don't be concerned about doing a program at a satellite. Your transcript will not indicate whether you did the program on campus, online, or at a satellite campus. The degree is the same regardless of how you take the classes.

However, it does matter where you get your education. Regardless of whether you go ADN, BSN, or ABSN, make sure the program is accredited. The NLNAC accredits ADN and diploma programs but some BSN programs as well. The CCNE accredits (most) BSN and ABSN programs. Either accreditation is fine. If you don't go to an accredited program, you may have problems getting to the next step. Most RN-BSN and graduate programs require graduation from an accredited program (or one that is eligible for accreditation). You do not want to go to a school that has either never bothered to become accredited or has lost its accreditation.

Having said that, not all programs are the same. Look at the reputation of a school that you're considering. How many of its nursing graduates pass NCLEX on the first try? How many of its grads are hired by the area hospitals? How many go on for additional education? There are good programs and there are poor programs. Often, the better programs are very competitive and have high admission standards. Many of the better programs are affiliated with major medical centers and utilize these centers as clinical sites. There are good ADN programs and terrible BSN programs. You are better off going to a good ADN and then RN-BSN than you are going to a poor BSN program. Ask nurses in your area where they went to school. Ask what schools they would avoid.

If you have all the prerequisites done for either an entry-level BSN or accelerated BSN (keep in mind, these programs are for second-degree students), you would probably save time by going that route rather than doing an ADN. Most people don't complete an ADN within two years; most students end up taking longer because of prerequisites and wait lists. It would take you a minimum of a year to complete an RN-BSN bridge. You could do an ADN-MSN bridge but these programs are very competitive as well and often take longer to complete than a traditional MSN.

Take into consideration also that many employers, particularly at Magnet hospitals or larger cities, prefer new grad BSNs to ADNs. Given the current economy and hiring preferences, an ADN grad cannot necessarily count on getting a hospital job after graduation. You could spend 2+ years getting your ADN and then find that you can't get a job. Or the economy could change and you will get a job if you have a license and a pulse. The ADN is often more economical than a BSN or ABSN, but with current hiring trends, I think an aspiring nurse needs to be aware that it may be more difficult to find a job after graduation. It used to be, too, that ADN grads could count on hospitals giving tuition reimbursement as an incentive to get nurses to go on for more education. Some places have slashed or eliminated this benefit, so one can't count on it.

If you can afford it, I strongly urge you to get as much education as possible in your entry-level program. Go either the BSN or ABSN route if you can, ADN only if you can't afford a second bachelor's at this time or if the BSN/ABSN programs in your area are of lesser quality.

One thing I do want you to be aware of: you stated that you might go the ADN route because you're concerned that you would not be able to keep up your grades in a BSN or ABSN program. A good ADN program will be just as academically rigorous as a BSN or ABSN. Just because the setting is a community college doesn't mean that the courses will necessarily be easier or that it will be more likely that you will maintain a high GPA. My ADN program was much more difficult than my RN-BSN program (done at a satellite campus, BTW) and my respective GPAs reflect that. I had no trouble getting into a grad program but then again, neither did a good friend who went the ABSN route.

I wish you the best in your decision!

[missannabelle]

Thanks Moogie! I'm so sorry - I thought I had replied ages ago!

One other question - if you think more education at the entry-level point is better, would you recommend going even further and doing an EL-MSN program? There is one nearby that I could apply for, but I didn't seriously consider it because I worried no one would hire someone at that level of education who didn't have any practical nursing experience. I will have CNA experience, but I know that it's nowhere near the same thing!

Thanks again for your help!

A.

[czyja, MSN, RN]

A good ADN program will be just as academically rigorous as a BSN or ABSN. Just because the setting is a community college doesn't mean that the courses will necessarily be easier or that it will be more likely that you will maintain a high GPA.

I completely agree. Seems to me that adn programs tend to be more rigorous, not less. (as a disclaimer, I went to a masters entry program - have have no interest in the adn bsn war)

Why do you think you will not be able to keep up your gpa? If you have a large number of commitments outside of school, can you streamline things at all?

Remember, the effort you spend in nursing school is time and effort to make you a safe and effective nurse.

[czyja, MSN, RN]

I completely agree. Seems to me that adn programs tend to be more rigorous, not less. (as a disclaimer, I went to a masters entry program - have have no interest in the adn bsn war)

Why do you think you will not be able to keep up your gpa? If you have a large number of commitments outside of school, can you streamline things at all?

El-msn programs our quite demaning because they squeeze two years of content in one year. I would advise against an el-msn unless you have good study skills, few if any outside commitments, and a very understanding and supportive family.

Remember, the effort you spend in nursing school is time and effort to make you a safe and effective nurse.

[missannabelle]

Thanks! I don't think my gpa would slip per se, I just wonder if keeping up my 4.0 might be overwhelming. However, I do have good study skills and a very understanding family, and I can easily stop working at my part-time CNA job if I need to - I'm really only working for the hands-on experience. :) Are you finding it easy to find jobs with the el-msn? What made you choose to go that route? I'm worried that if I go that way, there won't be jobs available...

[czyja, MSN, RN]

I chose an MS program because:

1. I wanted to be an APRN

2. I wanted to do research

3. There was a top notch program in my town

4. The above mentioned top notch program foolishly decided to accept me, LOL

I you know you want to be an APRN, then I would consider a masters entry program. It worked very nicely for me. Other folks have other (often very strong) opinions on masters entry programs. I would only say that they are invariably not masters entry grads. I have yet to meet a masters entry grad that was not satisfied with their decision.

The only drawbacks I see are the time and expense involved. The time commitment is very intense, you cannot work and have little time for family and other pursuits. Many programs are also quite expensive. This may or may not be a problem for you.

[missannabelle]

I chose an MS program because:

1. I wanted to be an APRN

2. I wanted to do research

3. There was a top notch program in my town

4. The above mentioned top notch program foolishly decided to accept me, LOL

I you know you want to be an APRN, then I would consider a masters entry program. It worked very nicely for me. Other folks have other (often very strong) opinions on masters entry programs. I would only say that they are invariably not masters entry grads. I have yet to meet a masters entry grad that was not satisfied with their decision.

Thanks - that's a really good point. I have heard negative things about the preparation of EL-MSN programs, but I've never heard anything negative from grads of those programs. Very good food for thought, as I definitely do know I want to be an APRN. Thanks again for your help!

[czyja, MSN, RN]

My pleasure.

Don't worry about finding work either. You won't get your dream job on the first try, but you will get the job you want eventually.