Four years to earn an ADN :/

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2015

I don't think that's depressing. It's the same license as a BSN nurse except you will be getting it for WAY CHEAPER.

... but, as we all know, the employment prospects for ADN grads are not as good as for BSN. Licensing is only the basic entry-level credential that everyone has.

This is why I always say that if you have the choice, always go for the BSN from the beginning.

AND by the you get your associates it only takes a year to get your bachelors because of all of the credits required for an ADN

Maybe. Maybe not.

Bbett, MSN, NP · Jan 7, 2015

That's not even true though, it's like the people that think LPNS are non existent. LPNS still make up a good part of hospitals

Hospitals are still desperate for nurses. They don't care about the extra 25 credits it takes to become a BSN. Even the magnet hospitals still hire just as many ADNs and then pay for them to get their BSNs. It's cheaper and faster to get the ADN first.

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Jan 7, 2015

That's not even true though, it's like the people that think LPNS are non existent. LPNS still make up a good part of hospitals
Hospitals are still desperate for nurses. They don't care about the extra 25 credits it takes to become a BSN. Even the magnet hospitals still hire just as many ADNs and then pay for them to get their BSNs. It's cheaper and faster to get the ADN first.

For the most part, this isn't true. There isn't one LPN in a hospital in my whole city. Hospitals are not desperate for nurses at all for the most part.

Bbett, MSN, NP · Jan 8, 2015

It may be different where you are from, but this isn't the case in my state.

mae0218 · Jan 8, 2015

Hey all! Hope everyone is doing great!
I just wanted some insight on this. I started back to school Fall 2013. Working 40+ hours a week and taking at least 2-3 classes a semester, going spring, summer and fall. Ive got a GPA of 3.65. I'm finally at the point where I'm eligible to apply for the nursing program. And it dawned on me... By the time I'm done, it'll have been four years to earn an ADN, and that's depressing! I'm 25 with no kids, but I'm working to pay for school and to put off taking out loans until it's absolutely necessary. I'm not really sure what I'm asking. I guess i just want some reassurance and to know it will be worth it. Thanks all!

I think it will be worth it. It's great that you have delayed taking out loans. Also, I'm about to start an ADN program, and most of the people at my school will have been there 3-4 years by the time they finish.. It often takes a couple of years to get pre-reqs and co-reqs out of the way, along with getting through a waiting list, if your school has one. Another thing, I wish I had started at your age. Suddenly, I'm 34 and have two kids.

erifica · Jan 8, 2015

I did 2.5 years of liberal studies prior to getting into nursing school. My ADN program was 2 years. I'm now going part time toward my bachelor's. I worked during school. I work as a nurse now on med surg. I have a 14 year old that I homeschool. I genuinely believe that it takes time and effort to get what we want out of life. The only "depressing thing" is that people don't recognize how much work us nurses have to do to become nurses and then all the real life experience learning that takes place after you graduate...wow.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 8, 2015

Took me 5.5 years to get a BSN. No debt and only 23, plus with over three years of healthcare experience.

Student debts are the devil. Stay away from them as long as possible. I know some people who are graduating with thousands and thousands of dollars in debt and it is going to take them a LONG time (with interest accumulating) to pay it off.

sheruns83 · Jan 8, 2015

Most ADN programs do take 4 years. It takes a good two years full time to take all your pre-reqs and this is assuming you placed in college level mat and english. I did not however it still only took two years to get pre reqs done, then it takes another two years to complete the core courses for nursing. If you have the option to get into a BSN program I would advise to do so because most hospitals are requiring RNs to have a BSN or obtain one in the first 5 years of employment. I do not have the option because I'm being laid off and didn't have time to take the extra courses to get into a BSN program, so i'll be doing ADN and if I have the time i'll start the necessary coursework to get into an RN-BSN. Eventually I have a feeling they will do away with ADN or more schools will be doing what mine does and do a joint ADN-BSN program, which only takes 1 extra year.

mdiada · Jan 11, 2015

That actually is a relief. When I think about it, anything in the health field taking longer makes sense considering the field. I will apply for the program in July (my college's deadline for spring semester is July 1) and i was thinking, if I'm not picked the first go around, i may as well just continue on earning credits to transfer for the BSN and work towards that. But oh well, what happens will happen. I just want this SO bad! Argh!

mw1179 · Jan 13, 2015

Girl....I am 35, and I am still a year and a half away from applying to the program, but it will also take

me four years to finish. Don't let the time issue get to you... it will pass anyway!

Beautiful_Soul · Jan 15, 2015

Maybe you can go for LPN first, challenge out of most of the RN courses then you'll only have to do 1 year of RN classes before you graduate. It might save you a year or two. If you must take certain prereqs for the RN program take 1 or two of those while in the LPN program that compliments the LPN program. Good luck!

Beautiful_Soul · Jan 15, 2015

Did you put yourself through school? Just curious.