Easier program entrance: BSN or ADN

karmyk · Jun 1, 2006

At my CC they do not pick and choose, the put you in a hat with the rest of them. They do pick and choose at the UC I applied to.

I believe this is the case for many CC's in Norcali... unfortunately. With many of the BSN programs, on the other hand, the criteria tends to be more clear-cut... so I wouldn't necessarily say getting into a BSN is easier. It's just a whole different ball game.

chioma829 · Jun 1, 2006

where is this college located that u are referring to.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2006

First of all, don't believe all the "ASN is easier to get into if you don't have a high GPA" crap.

I got turned down the first time in my Associates program because I didn't have a 4.0. Actually, 15 students with 4.0's got turned down too.

It was that competitive.

It doesn't have ANYTHING to do with ASN vs. BSN. It has to do with the criteria to get accepted.

GPA, test scores, # of support courses completed, and # of applicants in any one application period.

A waiting list only means you may wait for years to get in, which to me is not easier, but if you have a low GPA, that may be the way to go, unless you find a program where there isn't hardly any applicants.

(Of course, then I would question the program, and always make sure it is accredited (Ex: by NLN).

When deciding which to go into, consider time, money, NCLEX pass rates, program reputation, and you should apply to several different programs in your area.

Good luck! :)

soko2002 · Jun 1, 2006

To clarify, yes, cc programs are harder here than BSN. There is only one cc with a wait list the rest are based on GPA and extra points for volunteer or job experience or entrance essay. This is because the programs are cheaper so more people apply but you better have a 4.0. The BSN programs look at the same pre-req's but are willing to look at other outside factors rather than just strict points. This allows someone with a lower GPA to get in. My friend got accepted to a BSN program with a 3.4, but she has a previous degree and she is a single mom like me. They took this into consideration. Plus, she wrote a great personal essay. This is not possible at the cc's. This is why it is more difficult to get into a cc. All the programs are competitive but cc is tougher to get accepted. For me personnally, I have a former BA and a 4.0 in all pre-req's. I'm going to go to a cc because my grades allow for it. If I waited another year I could go to a BSN program but won't be able to finish by the time I have to move. I have to move in 2 years. But the plus is it is much cheaper and I can go straight into an RN-BSN program.

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2006

My c.c. in Iowa very much considers GPA and compass / ACT scores upon admission. I believe it is easier to get into the university's in this area because of their pricey tuition vs the much lower costs of the community colleges.

I know several gals in my classes that failed out of community college and got right into private 4 yr's.

Don't ever believe that c.c students are inferior in intellect to university students.

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2006

I honestly don't know about the ADN programs in my area, but the university where I attended look strictly at GPA for their BSN program. If you wanted to enter the accelerated program, they asked for a resume and personal statement, but neither one factored into the decision-making. Why? Because only one person was given the job to pick and choose. She was also the advisor for the entire BSN program. Basically, she was overwhelmed and chose students based upon their GPA only. Last I heard, she was thinking of dividing the applicants into 3 sections based upon grades and accept the middle group. Apparently, she heard of this being used at another school, which I think is unbelieveable.

A local high-priced university, however, does admissions on a rolling basis which means that the earlier you apply, the better your chances of getting in. Your grades may not be a 4.0, but if you apply very early, you will most likely be accepted as the admissions group meets once a month and reviews applicants.

It all depends. I know of people who already hold a BA/BS enter ADN programs because they found it "easier" while others chose accelerated programs because they held the grades to enter the BSN program.

According to the posts here, it's different everywhere.

tookewlandy · Jun 2, 2006

Its funny because i currently attend a community college and i was put on the alternate list and did not think i was going to get to start, so i applied to 5 other school 2 hospital ,1 other community college, a Vo tech LPN,and 1 University(BSN). I finally did gain acceptance to the program at my current school. The funny part is out of all those other places i hadn't heard anything, except from the BSN, they actually still call me to see if i am interested in attending.I gave them my High school/college transcripts and all the other required info All i had to do is give them my nursing essay and i am pretty sure i would have gotten accepted there. I cannot believe that i read about colleges on here having lottery systems to pick people, that just seems so unfair to me.

JaxiaKiley · Jun 2, 2006

I think it depends on the area. Here it takes a 4.0 to get into the comm college. The BSN requires more classes, but is not *quite* as competitve (it still takes a good GPA though).

JaxiaKiley · Jun 2, 2006

To clarify: The comm college only requires a 2.5, but admissions are competitve based on GPA, so that is why it takes a 4.0 to get in.

BoonersmomRN · Jun 2, 2006

My CC *says* you only need a 2.5 to apply but fat chance at getting in if you have that lol. The cut off for my class was 3.83 and I heard it was higher this semester. They also say you only need 14 of your pre-req credits...but again fat chance in getting in if you haven't completed them all. I know people who have been waitlisted for 2+ years- still trying to pull up old pre-req grades.

Now the BSN colleges around here- you do need a good GPA. The lowest I found for acceptance was 3.0 but they are competitive as well...just not as competitive as the ADN because there are less applicants.

firstyearstudent · Jun 4, 2006

I don't want to complicate issues here, but I believe there are some BSN nursing programs that don't require you to have pre-reqs. (I saw someone here mention that the pre-reqs were longer and more involved for BSN than ADN programs).

I don't know if it's still the case, but years ago Georgetown University in D.C. accepted nursing students straight out of high school without any classes. Although they sometimes had problems with this, one being that the admissions standards were lower for the nursing program than the rest of the university so students would apply to the university under the pretense of pursuing nursing with every intention of switching majors after the first semester. It drove the administration nuts but there was nothing they could do about it.

firstyearstudent · Jun 4, 2006

Just checked for the heck of it -- all Georgetown requires high school college prep curriculum.