Enrolled in PreNursing, but I think I'm gonna change that...

i♥words · Nov 17, 2012

I wouldn't classify myself as more experienced, but here were the thoughts I had while reading your post.

First of all, anyone who comes from Program A will say something negative about Program B. It's just the way it works. I wouldn't rely on the opinion of any of the ADN/ASN people purely because they have not attended the BSN program (I would say the same thing if the BSN people were saying negative things about the ADN/ASN program); they're info must be from hearsay and/or there experience with one or two graduates from the BSN program. I find internet reviews and the state board of nursing NCLEX-RN pass rate is beneficial to look at. Also, you could get in touch with the HR departments of your local hospitals and ask them who they are more willing to hire and what experience they've had with graduates from the BSN program. They are the ones to get advice from. (I will stop using italics now.)

Second, you said you want more hands-on experience but you are still in pre-nursing. Well, my experience with pre-nursing (I have one semester left of it) is that nothing is hands-on except the dissections I did in A&P lab which were pretty much worthless because the pics online were way better. So I don't really think you'll find hands-on in pre-nursing unless you are going to a school that allows students to work with cadavers.

I suggest reexamining your hatred for the BSN program. Go to someone from the nursing department and ask specific questions: How many clinicals will I have? How much lab time? What kind of technology do you have in the lab? See if you can tour the facility if you haven't already.

I guess if you've done all that and you are for sure that the BSN program is not for you, why not go to the ADN/ASN program? Is that just not an option for you?

None of this is to say that your outlined plan isn't going to work. But maybe these questions will help you consider your situation more.

CHESwsm · Nov 18, 2012

I can't do an ADN where I am because there isn't one offered. NMU offers an LPN program and a BSN program. Which is amazingly stupid, but I think they want all that extra tuition money. I'd have to commute 90 miles each way, and through our intense winters, to get an ADN at a community college. No thanks. I'd rather do it online.

It's not so much that people are badmouthing NMU's BSN program and talking up another, specific one- they are telling me that there isn't a lot of clinical preparedness when compared to all other pools of nurses that they regularly hire from.

I hate prenursing because my advisor doesn't return emails or phone calls, no one can answer any of my questions, and because my sciences are being taught be people who are flat out unqualified. One is a veterinarian and one is a pharmaceutical chemist. They probably great at their regular jobs, but they are astonishingly, exceptionally bad teachers. I've had really good teachers, and once you've had quality instruction you can't go back to bull***. My husband works at this school, so I've got the inside baseball, and without going too deep into arcane gossip, the gist of it is that getting and retaining science professors is a ten year old problem at this school. I do better when I skip lecture and hit the books on my own, so I feel like it's kinda pointless to follow this traditional didactic model when I am in actuality following an autodidactic model. On the other hand, I've investigated the LPN program, and, while I don't totally understand why this is, it's taught by long term, professional teachers, so I figure that HAS to be a step up.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Nov 18, 2012

Even if CC ADN are preparing graduates better than NMU, I doubt Excelsior would prepare you better than NMU. It's all self-study with only a two day "clinical." It's not the same as going to a CC ADN program.

Also, are you absolutely certain that you'll never move out of state. A few states won't grant licensure to Excelsior graduates (Even if you get a BSN later.)

Enfermera11 · Nov 18, 2012

I don't think it really matters which program/school you go to. I went to a really great program in my state, but I don't feel like I knew any more information or had any more experience than people from other programs. And I've work with new grads from some of the best schools in the state who don't know what they're doing. All of your real experience and learning comes from your first job, as a student you don't really know what's going on no matter where you go. I think you first job is more important for experience than where you go to school, so I would just do whichever one is the cheapest/quickest if you're interseted in getting it done fast! Good luck!

CHESwsm · Nov 18, 2012

I feel very confident that we are here for the long term, though life throws curve balls all the time, so really, who knows? That said, it's my understanding that the states that don't grant licensure to Excelsior grads immediately will do it if they have been licensed and working for X time in another state.

I don't really think Excelsior will prepare me better, clinically speaking. What I hope is that work experience as a CNA and an LPN will prepare me for the hands on realities of being an RN. And if I go LPN, I can to it part time, and LPN to RN I can do online, which will enable to work as a CNA and LPN. I couldn't work doing anything in the BSN program.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Nov 18, 2012

Sorry I went back and looked and it isn't "many" like I thought.

There are two states that won't grant licensure at all. One is Cali and I forgot the other one. Another state requires that you take OB and Psych clinicals even if you've been working as an RN. My state was added to the list of "endorsement only" while I was trying to decide which path was better for me. I really liked the idea of Indiana State LPN-BSN Online too, but my state only approves 3 out-of-state schools to give RN clinicals in my state.