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So I am debating on whether or not to take an ADN route and then get my BSN directly after; or take a route directly for the BSN. Among other considerations, I was wondering which route had a more younger crowd to match my age (I'm 19) as I think it would make my experience more enjoyable.
So I am debating on whether or not to take an ADN route and then get my BSN directly after; or take a route directly for the BSN. Among other considerations, I was wondering which route had a more younger crowd to match my age (I'm 19) as I think it would make my experience more enjoyable.
You going to nursing school or a nightclub?
If I were your age, I would also enter a BSN program directly.
For me, personally, I chose to go the ADN route for a few reasons.
1. While I was working full-time, I was able to go for my pre-reqs 1-2 classes at a time, and be able to pay directly for them, not to mention, being able to save some money in the meantime to attend my program without working.
2. It was cheaper for me to go this route.
3. I have a child at home and other obligations outside of school and an ADN makes this much easier.
4. The hospital that I am hoping to get hired to will reimburse me for the RN-BSN program.
5. I only had to take a break from working for 2 years, instead of 4.
Hope that helps but it really is all about personal decisions. Again, if I were your age, I would've chosen a BSN directly. My ADN program had a mix of people. Being 32, I was right in the middle of the age ranges.
so i am debating on whether or not to take an adn route and then get my bsn directly after; or take a route directly for the bsn. among other considerations, i was wondering which route had a more younger crowd to match my age (i'm 19) as i think it would make my experience more enjoyable.
oh, dear, them's thoughtless words. but at nineteen, a certain amount of immaturity is normal and expected.:rotfl:
"more enjoyable"? what, you're expecting anybody over thirty to spend a lot of time complaining about chronic arthritis and constipation? and adjusting their hearing aids so they can't listen to lady gaga? such a drag on your life's enjoyment? oy.
word to the wise: you think you're going to learn everything there is to being a nurse from your faculty. you're wrong. you will learn a lot from your peers, and trust me, you will learn a lot from members of "an older crowd," who will actually be part of your class whatever program you're in. besides, you're not going to have a ton of time to socialize, and you can go play with the kids outside of your program anytime you can get the time. good luck with that.
So, basically, why WOULDN'T you get a BSN straightaway?
1)Not counting pre-reqs, my 2 year ADN program will cost me $9,000. There is no way I could pay that little at a university (in my neighborhood anyway). I will walk out of my RN-BSN program with no debt because i could work as an RN for that time. whereas, my straight-to-BSN cohorts will be swimming in it.
2)Not many universities offer 100% evening courses that I know of. Two ADN programs in my area do. So people who work or have families may want that option.
3) If you did not get into a university, would you no longer want to be a nurse? If you applied to 10 schools , half ADN and half BSN, and you were accepted by an ADN school but not a BSN, would you turn it down?
4) Some people may want to begin immidiately and not have to wait a year to be eligible for a bachelors program.
Yes i copied that last one from your post. My point is that you answered your own question. Everybody has a reason that makes sense for them. The list goes on a mile long why people are in ADN rather than BSN. there are also about 3.8 billion posts about it on AN.
Okay. Before you go bashing "old" people. Put yourself in the other person's shoes. I, being a non-traditional student and 38 years of age, have to attend class with people much younger than myself too! I believe, that I could learn alot from a younger person as much as I could from someone my age or older. You do realize that you could learn alot from a person who is older in years? I still can relate to the younger ones and often do. I still make friends with the younger folk and we get along fine. Until one stops judging people by their age and accepts them as a person, you will continue to be at odds with yourself until you get over this "he/she is too old" act. This is just my opinion.
Now, to answer your question. You won't really know until you're in class with other students. In general, I would think the BSN route would be more beneficial to you. Assuming, you'll be living on campus or in the vicinity you'll be surrounded by people around your age. Plus, more opportunity for extracurricular activities involving school. Not to say, you wouldn't have this at a community college, because many CC have lots of clubs and what not. I'd say go with your gut instinct and is best for you.
From experience as I am a current BSN student (third year)… I may be able to offer you some advice.
I am in my very early twenties and from what I have been able to gather from these three years is that the nursing program will not be “enjoyable” because you are with younger people… I’m not sure if you want to be with younger people because you are looking to make friends to be able to party or whatever, but if your priorities are completing the nursing program and being successful then I would suggest you not worry so much about the age and how much fun you will have in the program…
From what I have seen the students that are socializing and having a good ol time are the ones that are failing (obviously there is exception to this). I guess it comes from experience but I have chosen to work with/study with/socialize with the older more mature students because they are more serious and are willing to put more time into studying rather than cramming and procrastination.
For the record one of my closest peer is a student in her late 40s, without her Im not sure how I would get through this program! :redbeathe
This is just my opinion I am not trying to put down younger students as I am one.. lol
DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP
1,301 Posts
How about replacing the word "old" people with "non-traditional students?":p